I don’t know about you, but I love some eye candy. Pinterest, Instagram and other social media sites are filled with photos of how to make our lives more beautiful. Everything from our bodies to our homes to our gardens. I love to search for exercise routines, clothing, home decorating ideas, gardening landscape plans, etc. What woman doesn’t, right? And while there’s nothing wrong with this (if done in moderation) God brought a thought into my mind today that hit me like a ton of bricks! How beautiful is your mind?
As a man (or woman) thinks, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7)
Just as I would select a decorating theme on Instagram to pattern my living room after, I should choose the mind of Christ to pattern my thoughts. I should decorate every area of my mind with the Word of God. Every thought that comes in should be measured against God’s Word. If it doesn’t measure up, it gets thrown out! Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:5). I would never allow poison oak to grow amongst my peonies then why do I allow jealousy to grow in the mind of Christ? I would not keep a broken chair in my living room so why do I keep broken feelings in my mind? Jealousy, hate, revenge, slander, ungratefulness, criticism, anger, lust are ugly words staring back from the screen at me. Imagine what they look like in my thoughts! Imagine how they change the desires of my heart! What an ugly person they create!
Instead, Paul tells us to think on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy…” (Philippians 4:8). Those thoughts create a beautiful demeanor around any woman, one of grace and kindness. Peter confirms Paul’s teaching by saying, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.” (1 Peter 3: 3 & 4) This beauty comes from beautiful thinking.
My sweet sister, let’s make a pact to be beautiful, regardless of our age. May beauty reign in our thoughts and actions. Let’s spend more time in the Word than on social media. Let’s invest our time in those things that will last for all eternity.
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