In Romans 8:5 (NLT), Paul tells us: “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.”
Our thoughts have incredible power over us. They can either lift us up or drag us down. When we allow ourselves to dwell on worries, fears, and the struggles of life, we can quickly find ourselves overwhelmed, discouraged, and stuck in a cycle of negativity. The enemy would love nothing more than to see us trapped in those thoughts and weighed down by the burdens of this world. But God desires something greater for us—He wants to transform our minds and renew our perspective.
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in changing the narrative of our thoughts. When we surrender our minds to Him, He helps us see things from a new and fresh perspective. Instead of being controlled by fear, doubt, or worldly concerns, the Spirit directs our hearts and minds toward truth, hope, and peace. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that we need to: “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” This means we have the power, through the Spirit, to filter our thoughts—rejecting the ones that bring us down and embracing those that align with God’s truth.
It’s like the gardener who pulls weeds from their flowerbed. If the weeds are left unchecked, they will choke out the wonderful plants and flowers. In the same way, when we allow negative and destructive thoughts to take root, they suffocate the joy and peace that God desires us to experience. But when we let the Holy Spirit work in us, He helps uproot the weeds and cultivate a mind that flourishes with His truth.
A great example of this is found in the life of David. In Psalm 42:5, he says: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!” David understood that his emotions and thoughts did not have to dictate his life. Instead, he made a conscious decision to turn his focus back to God. We, too, can choose to shift our focus and allow the Spirit to guide our thoughts rather than being dominated by the struggles of this world.
In Philippians 4:8 Paul encourages us to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. When we think on such things, we create space for God’s peace to dwell in us. So today, if we find ourselves weighed down by anxious thoughts, discouragement, or frustration, remember that God has given us the power to overcome through His Spirit.
We don’t have to let our mind be controlled by the worries of this world. Instead, we can invite the Holy Spirit to renew our thoughts, to help us see through the lens of faith, and to remind us of God’s goodness. And when we do, we’ll begin to experience the freedom and peace that come from thinking about things that please the Spirit.
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