You have probably heard the popular scripture that life and death are the power of the tongue, and you can probably testify to the truth of these words.
What we say and how we say it matters.
If you delved deeper, you would also realize that the mind is the real battleground. It is where everything starts before it crescendos out of our verbal orifice.
Essentially, taking our thoughts captive and subjecting this to God’s word(2 Cor 10:3-5) is the first step in winning the war of words.
While reading an old but still relevant book titled As A Man Thinketh by James Allen, I was astounded by the many ways he described and explained this battle to control our warring thoughts.
There were so many quotable sentences from the book, but here are my top ten. I hope they give you a reason to overcome negative thought patterns. Amen
10 Quotes that will make you think
1
Circumstances does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.”
2.
Who does not love a tranquil heart, a sweet-tempered, balanced life? It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to those possessing these blessings, for they are always sweet, serene, and calm.”
3.
Spiritual achievements are the consummation of holy aspirations.”
4.
He who lives constantly in the conception of noble and lofty thoughts, who dwells upon all that is pure and unselfish, will, as surely as the sun reaches its zenith and the moon its full, become wise and noble in character, and rise into a position of influence and blessedness.”
5.
Victory attained by right thought can only be maintained by watchfulness. Many give way when success is assured, and rapidly fall back into failure.”
Be alert!
6.
If you would perfect your body, guard your mind. If you would renew your body, beautify your mind. Thoughts of malice, envy, disappointment, despondency, rob the body of its health and grace. A sour face does not come by chance, it is made by sour thoughts.”
7.
Blessedness, not material possessions, is the measure of right thought; wretchedness, not lack of material possessions, is the measure of wrong thought.”
8.
A man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth.”
9.
“Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are…Not what he wishes and prays for does a man get, but what he justly earns. He wishes and prayers are only gratified and answered when they harmonize with his thoughts and actions.
10.
Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.”
You are what you think
Which one of these quotes are you especially drawn to?
I remember nodding my head in humble acquiescence when I read quotes 9& 10.
It’s so easy to say we want to change and be better but are we really willing to do the work – the hard but beautiful work of transformation?
As you go into this new year, I pray that your heart is attuned to the word and that you are intentional about your thoughts and your actions. Amen
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