God speaks in such unique ways to each of us. Sometimes a passage of Scripture will touch your heart so powerfully. Other times someone can speak a word that moves you. Another way I have found that God speaks, is through our thoughts.
Sometimes I’ll be caught up in a quiet moment of contemplation. Musing over something I’ve read in the Bible or something I’ve experienced or done. Then in that still moment a thought will settle in my mind, soft and gentle. With it comes revelation about what I’ve been meditating on or an answer to something I’ve been wondering about. In those moments I am filled with such peace and great understanding. In those moments, I know God has spoken.
God Speaks Through Your Thoughts
Maybe you don’t realise it, but God can speak to you through your thoughts. He can give you ideas for how to do things or revelation on certain passages of Scripture. He can, through the Holy Spirit, remind you of words you may have read in the Bible.
But God is not the only one who can speak into your mind. The devil and his agents can also plant ideas and thoughts into your mind. That is why you need to be aware of what you’re thinking about. It is also important that you don’t just act on everything that comes into your mind.
Don’t Act on Everything You Think
Just because you think of something, doesn’t mean you have to act on it. Yes, there are some thoughts you may be less likely to act on like a thought to steal something or hurt someone. But the thing is, thoughts from the enemy will not always appear as terrible ideas.
Sometimes you can have a thought that can actually appear to be a great idea. But the question is…is that what God wants you to do? Is God the One telling you to move schools? Or is the Lord the One telling you to get a new job?
Sometimes, unknowingly, we can jeopardise our futures by simply acting on what we believe is a good idea. Take Elimelech in the Book of Ruth for example. He moved his whole family to Moab because there was famine in the land of Israel. (Ruth 1:1-2) I’m sure he thought it was a sensible and a good idea. There was no food in Israel and there was food in Moab. But what ended up happening?
He and both his sons ended up dying there.
His daughters-in-law and wife were left widowed.
Definitely not the happy ending he had in mind.
Instead of acting on an idea, you need to ask the Lord whether you can chase what you’ve thought or not.
Are You Guarding Your Mind?
As you can see your thoughts can influence you in powerful ways. On one hand, you can get words and revelations from God through your thoughts. On the other hand you can be influenced negatively by the enemy.
Once you realise that what you think affects how you act, you will understand how important it is to guard your mind. This means being aware what you allow to pass through your mind. In the Bible we are told what sort of thoughts we are supposed to think on.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, is there is any virtue and if there is anything praise-worthy- meditate on these things.
(Philippians 4:8 (NJKV))
If you follow this guide for what sort of thoughts you allow in your mind, your mind can become a wonderful place for creativity, meditation and give birth to amazing Godly ideas. It will also keep ungodly thoughts from resting in your mind. That is not to say that they will never come. But when they do, you can easily recognise them and kick them out.
Start Practicing
Proverbs make it so clear that our mind is to be kept with diligence. (Proverbs 4:23) Not only do our minds inform so much of what we do. But God can speak into them through our thoughts. When our minds are clear of clutter and mess, we can hear God speak clearly. He can whisper a word of comfort. Give you revelation or reassure you.
So to make your mind a place a welcoming place for God and His Holy Spirit, start practicing guarding your mind. Fill it will good, wholesome and praiseworthy thoughts, and it will become a doorway which God can speak through.
