Taking control of our thoughts is an important part of the Christian life. The Bible has much to say about our thought life and provides wisdom on how to gain mastery over our thinking. Here are some key principles from Scripture on how to take control of your thoughts:
Recognize that you are responsible for your thoughts
While circumstances and other people can influence our thinking, the Bible is clear that we are ultimately accountable for our own thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” We have a choice whether to dwell on negative, impure thoughts or to think on things that are good and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Taking ownership of our thought life is the first step to changing it.
Identify wrong thinking patterns
In order to change, we first have to be aware of unbiblical thought patterns that have developed over time. Do you frequently catastrophize, imagining worst case scenarios? Are you plagued by anxiety and worry? Do you tend to have a critical inner voice that puts yourself or others down? Ephesians 4:22 instructs us to “put off the old self” – our old habits of thinking must be recognized and replaced with new thought patterns aligned with biblical truth.
Take every thought captive
2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” This means assessing our thoughts and consciously rejecting those that are false, destructive, impure, or unhelpful. We can ask questions like “Is this thought rooted in truth?” “Does this line up with God’s Word and character?” Asking God to reveal wrong thoughts and enable us to capture and dismiss them is key.
Renew your mind by immersing it in Scripture
The antidote to toxic thinking is filling our mind with God’s truth. Romans 12:2 commands us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This renewal happens when we read, study, and meditate on the Bible, allowing it to shape our perspective and beliefs. Memorizing key verses on topics related to our specific struggles with wrong thinking can help us combat lies with God’s truth.
Replace lies with biblical truth
When a destructive thought enters our mind, we can consciously counter it with applicable truths from the word of God. When feeling condemned, remember “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). When fearful, think on what “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Replacing lies with truth retrains our mind.
Pray for God to renew your mind and thinking
In addition to studying the Bible, we need to ask God to reshape our thought patterns and purify our mind. As Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me.” Only the Holy Spirit has power to transform even deeply engrained thought habits. Seek His help daily.
Make choices consistent with biblical truth
If we truly know God’s word and believe it to be true, then we must live accordingly. Putting into practice biblical principles we’ve learned – being kind to others, speaking with integrity, setting our minds on heavenly things – strengthens those new mental pathways. Our thoughts and actions are intertwined and must align.
Be accountable for your thought life
Confessing our struggle with wrong thoughts to a trusted Christian friend allows them to support us, ask how we’re doing, and keep us accountable. James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” Accountability helps ensure we keep working to take thoughts captive.
Recognize it takes time to retrain your mind
Changing ingrained mental habits requires persistence and time to retrain the mind – it won’t happen overnight. Don’t get discouraged, but keep bringing your thoughts to God in prayer, studying the Bible, and making choices guided by truth. His word promises that He is progressively renewing and transforming our minds (Romans 12:2).
Focus your thoughts on praiseworthy things
The key to changing our thinking is focusing on things that reflect biblical values. Philippians 4:8 instructs us to think on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, praiseworthy. Replace anxious thoughts with praise and thankfulness. Fill your mind with Scripture and truth. Our thought patterns change as we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).
Ask God to guard your mind
We can ask God to actively protect our minds from destructive thoughts that lead to sin. As Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Asking the Holy Spirit to guard our hearts and minds is a biblical way to gain greater control of our thought life.
Avoid exposing yourself to impure influences
What we consume through media, relationships, and entertainment absolutely impacts how we think. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts, for everything we do flows from them. Setting boundaries on things that influence us negatively – this could include music, movies, social media, or friendships – can help purify our thoughts.
Remember you are in a spiritual battle
Wrong thinking often originates from believing the enemy’s lies. Ephesians 6 reminds us to put on the full armor of God to stand against the devil’s schemes. Asking God to protect our minds, prayerfully resisting the enemy, and fighting lies with truth are parts of this battle. We have God’s power to defeat and reclaim territory in our thought lives.
Trust God is working in you
The process of taking thoughts captive brings warfare and struggle. But we can have confidence that as we seek God, He promises to complete His work of renewal in us. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6). Walking by the Spirit, God changes even our thinking.
Taking control of our thought lives is challenging but essential work. Applying these principles can help us gain victory in this battle. God desires to renew our minds and equip us to live according to his truth. By depending on His Word and Spirit to transform our thought patterns, we can align our thinking with His perfect will.