God-Filter

    According to some scientific research, we process anywhere from 6k to 70k thoughts a day. What’s so interesting is that we don’t even realize how easily our minds can go places that we didn’t intend for them to go so quickly. One minute we could be thinking about what a great day it is and the next moment something could happen that changes the total course of events and the thought process for that day. Often I even find my mind wandering especially, when it is time to focus on God. I find my mind going from faith to doubt or love to fear. Like a car in need of a wheel alignment, our thoughts go from one side to the other unless we are careful to renew our minds daily. (Romans 12:2) 

    When walking through life it takes a lot of awareness that every thought that comes through our minds doesn’t come from God or even you. Some of them come from Satan. So many people would love to diminish the power of influence that Satan has, but it is true that the place that the fight begins is in our minds. He literally walks around looking for someone to devour. If there weren’t some demonic influences that we didn’t have to watch out for then we wouldn’t be encouraged to be sober-minded and alert in the same verse. (1 Peter 5:8) The most dangerous concepts are the ones that we cannot shake. These notions keep us up at night. As we ruminate on these perceptions; they can often become a snare in our lives. 

    That’s when I realized that I needed to use the God-filter. What is that? It is Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (ESV) I use this scripture like a strainer to sift my thoughts, one by one and piece by piece. So when we have thoughts that will lead us astray let’s use these Biblically based questions to see the reality according to the Word of God. 

  1. Is the thought true? Satan is the father of lies so if the thought isn’t factual it is not from God. (John 8:44)
  2. Is the reflection honorable? If it isn’t moral or ethical by God’s standard it doesn’t come from God. (2 Peter 1:5 NASB) 
  3. Is this introspection one that is just? If the thought isn’t righteous, upright or upstanding then it isn’t from the Lord. God is the God of justice. (Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV)
  4. How about questioning if the view is pure? There is a blessing for all those who are pure in heart because they will see God. (Matthew 5:8 ESV)
  5. Would this thought be considered lovely? God in His essence is love; thereby we can reckon that our thoughts should be filled with love. (1 John 4:8)
  6. Are they commendable? By definition this means respectable and exceptional. (1 Peter 2:17 ESV)
  7. Does this particular pondering excel? 2 Corinthians 8:7  tells us that we are to excel in everything by grace. (ESV)
  8. Is it deserving of praise? We are called to praise the Lord with our very breath. That means if this thought doesn’t cause us to give praise to God then it is disqualified. (Psalm 150:6, Psalm 103:1)

    As these are also all characteristics of the Almighty God then we realize that our thoughts must align truly with His essence. The more we meditate on the things of God, the easier it is to shut down ideas that will try to keep us from drawing closer to the Lord. As we look at the musings that come to our minds daily, regularly and all the time, we get to consider all these things: are we using the God-filter? If we are not then it is time to start doing this consistently so that the enemy doesn’t have a place in our minds. 

Let’s pray: Father, we thank you that you have already shown us the way that we can discern thoughts that come from You and ones from Satan. Lord that we have authority to cast down these thoughts by the Word of God. (2 Corinthians 10:5) When we submit to You and resist the devil, he has to leave. (James 4:7) Lord, we thank You the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to pull down strongholds. We demolish strongholds, arguments, and every high thing that sets itself against the knowledge of You. Finally, Lord, we take these ungodly thoughts captive and cause them to come into the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:1) Thank you Lord in Jesus’ name that it is so, Amen. 

Scripture References: Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 5:8, Philippians 4:8 (ESV), John 8:44, 2 Peter 1:5 (NASB), Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV), Matthew 5:8 (ESV), 1 John 4:8, 1 Peter 2:17 (ESV), 2 Corinthians 8:7 (ESV), Psalm 150:6, Psalm 103:1, 2 Corinthians 10:5, James 4:7, 2 Corinthians 10:1 (all scriptures references by KJV unless otherwise specified.)


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