WHAT OCCUPIES YOUR MIND?

Main Scriptures: Pro.4:4-23

More Scriptures: Rom.10:10, Pro.16:1, Pro.22:17

While I was driving to work on January 15^th, 2019, I heard very loud and clear from my Teacher, the person of the Holy Spirit, “what occupies the mind”? And as I settled down to understand why He asked that question; the answer became clear to me. So, as the head of the family, what occupies your mind? Is your mind occupied by the love of Christ or hate or satan? Is your mind occupied by compassion and mercy or by bitterness and envy? You need to know that the thoughts of your heart are as powerful as the life you live outwardly. This is so important because no husband can act better than the thoughts that occupy his mind. As the husbandman who desires to become good and godly, you must daily re-examine what your mind thinks about. I know that you want to act well and godly to your wife and children. It is also true that you want to be the good shepherd to your sheep. But you must define and decide what occupies your mind that you give attention to. The Scripture has this to say. Guard your mind with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life (Pro.4:23). This means that issues that have to do with your wife and children, health and finances and relationships are influenced by the thoughts of your mind.

But what does it mean for a thought to occupy your mind? It means that a particular thought or thoughts have become a stronghold, having the capacity to dictate your behavior and action. For instance, as the shepherd, if the thought of sexual immorality takes stronghold in your mind, you find yourself visiting prostitutes or engaging in extramarital affairs against the knowledge that you know it is wrong.

So, how does what occupy my mind affect the quality of my relationship with my sheep? This is how it works. If you occupy your mind with the thoughts of taking revenge against your wife or children because they have offended, you will see yourself acting revenge. If you occupy your mind with thoughts like, mercy, compassion, passion to serve, patience, kindness, hope and vision, you will see yourself act out all of it to your sheep. The reason why you physically abuse your wife and sexually abuse your children is because your mind has been occupied by the thoughts of battering and sexual perversion.  

There are three major ways you can overcome the force of wrong thoughts. The first is for you to deliberately pray that the Holy Spirit renew your mind by the word of God. So, whenever you read the Bible and discover the truth, you pray earnestly for the life behind the word to take over your thoughts. Secondly, you mind the relationships you keep, the books you read and the places you go. Thirdly, you plead the blood of Jesus Christ on a daily basis over your thoughts. You must be vigilant and conscious of your words and actions. Mind what you allow.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

• Father, in the Name of Jesus, deliver me from wrong associations and habits.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, fill my mind with Your mindset and let it influence all my actions.
• Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower to be a true servant to my wife and children.

FAITH CONFESSION:   

I give first place to the WORD OF GOD in my mind and allow it to rule my thoughts, actions and attitude because that is what makes me the good and godly husband in Jesus Name. Amen.

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