Serving the community since 1970

Pastor's Corner: Our 'mind filter'

When our mail came recently, there was a flyer for a product I've seen on TV quite a bit, "Leaf Filter." It's designed to fit over rain gutters to keep leaves and other debris from clogging up the gutters and downspouts on a home. Although we don't need it for our home, the flyer did spark a thought: How is the filter doing that that keeps my mind, and life, from being clogged with thoughts that can be destructive?

The Bible is very clear that we are faced with three distinct enemies of our souls; the world, the flesh and the devil. Each of these enemies begin their assault by attacking our thought life, and if left "unfiltered," can cause a lot of destruction in our lives. The Apostle Paul provides us with at least three passages that work like a filter on our minds:

II Corinthians 10:3-5. In this passage, Paul instructs us to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." In other word, we're responsible to identify thoughts that are contrary to God's will.

Ephesians 6:16. While describing the Armor of God that each believer is to "put on" each day, Paul tells us to "take up the shield of faith" so that the "flaming arrows of the evil one" can be extinguished. Many Bible scholars identity the "flaming arrows" as evil thoughts from Satan that try to intimidate us against the Lord.

Philippians 4:8. The apostle gives us a list of what I'd describe as "healthy Biblical thoughts" that we are to think about, rather than the evil or unhealthy thoughts that come from our three enemies.

Healthy thinking is critical for followers of Jesus to live well for Him in this world. I hope you're learning to do just that, and the next time you see the "Leaf Filter" ad on TV, take some time to consider how your "mind filter" is doing.

 

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