You’re Responsible for What You Allow in Your Mind

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Building My Life on Values That Last

You’re Responsible for What You Allow in Your Mind By Rick Warren — Nov 17, 2015 “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” (Proverbs 15:14 NLT, second edition) Our minds control everything else about us. Our thoughts influence our feelings. Our feelings impact our actions. What you think matters, because everything starts in the mind. To be a responsible person, you have to control your thoughts. But let me relieve you of a little false guilt: You’re not responsible for every stray thought that passes through your mind. Stray thoughts enter our minds for a variety of reasons — conversations you hear by accident, things you see, stuff the devil puts in your mind, etc. You’re responsible for how you deal with those stray thoughts. Martin Luther said it like this: “You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” God will hold you accountable for what you allow to enter your mind. I’m amazed by what some people watch — not to mention what they let their children watch. Many true followers of Jesus spend their time watching trashy TV and listening to trashy radio. They pay good money to see deviant behavior as entertainment. People watching such shows have told me, “When I go see those kinds of things, it just doesn’t phase me. It doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t affect me.” But that’s just not true! Scientists have done study after study that says you never really forget any scene you see. Even if you don’t consciously recall the scene, that idea will come right back to your mind — in living color — when something else stimulates the thought. In other words, “Garbage in, garbage out.” What you put into your mind will inevitably bear fruit in your behavior and beliefs. In fact, when trashy entertainment doesn’t bother you anymore, it’s a warning light that you’ve already passed the threshold. One of Satan’s greatest tricks for attracting you to sinful lifestyles is comedy. That’s why on television or in movies, deviant behavior always starts in a comedic situation. If Satan can get you laughing at something that is sinful, you’ve already lost the battle. Sin isn’t funny. Sin put Jesus on the cross. What are you filling your brain with? PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Which form of media tempts you the most? Who can hold you accountable for what you watch and listen to? What are some practical ways you can help teach your children these principles? Today’s Scripture “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife...” (Proverbs 20:3, KJV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS A Mark of Honor Many challenges in life are merely distractions meant to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone in the office isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you have a neighbor who always parks in front of your house and blocks your mailbox. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the big picture. You can’t allow the little things to steal your joy and cause strife in your life. Just before David fought the giant Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. But David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. He simply “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. Truth be told, most frustrations aren’t even worth fighting over. Let’s keep our focus and turn away from strife because it is a true mark of honor! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for Your hand of victory in my life. Give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from strife and honor You. I love You and bless You today and always in Jesus’ name, Amen.”