Watch What You Think (And What you Don’t)

Don’t Think About It

Don’t think of a basketball. Seriously, don’t. OK, now don’t think of a red car. Now don’t think about a brick wall. Were you successful in not thinking about those things? I bet not. You see, we can’t not think about things. The moment we try to avoid a thought, we’ve already given it a place in our mind.

That’s why the Christian life isn’t meant to be lived by simply avoiding sin. It’s meant to be lived by pursuing Christ. When our focus is only on what not to do, our attention still revolves around the very things we’re trying to escape. But when our focus shifts to knowing God, reading His Word, and walking with Christ, our hearts and minds naturally begin to change.

An Example from Paul

Paul gives us a perfect picture of this in Philippians 4:8:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Paul gives us a checklist for our thoughts; a filter to run everything through before we let it settle in our minds.

·      “Whatsoever things are true” — Focus on what is real and grounded in God’s Word. Don’t let rumors, assumptions, or the world’s false promises take up mental space.

·      “Whatsoever things are honest” — Think on things that are honorable and upright. Integrity starts in the mind long before it shows up in behavior. 

·      “Whatsoever things are just” — Consider what’s fair and right in God’s eyes, not what’s popular or convenient.

·      “Whatsoever things are pure” — Keep your thoughts clean. Impure thoughts often start small: through what we watch, listen to, or joke about. Those shape our character.

·      “Whatsoever things are lovely” — Dwell on what reflects the beauty of Christ. Gratitude, kindness, and grace make our hearts tender instead of bitter.

·      “Whatsoever things are of good report” — Give your attention to what builds up rather than tears down. Gossip, negativity, and criticism darken the heart.

·      “If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise” — If something points you toward God’s goodness and inspires gratitude, those are the thoughts worth keeping.

This verse isn’t just a list, it’s a lifestyle. It’s not about pretending bad things don’t exist; it’s about training our minds to look for what honors God in a world full of noise.

The key isn’t emptying our minds of bad things the key is filling them with the right things.

If we fill our minds with Scripture, worship, and prayer, there’s simply less room for the world’s distractions. When we fix our eyes on Christ, the pull of sin weakens.

Another Example from Paul

We can find a Second Reminder: Colossians 3:2

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Paul’s use of “set your affection” here is not a fleeting idea or thought.  It means a continual focus. Paul is urging believers to orient their desires, goals, and values toward heavenly things rather than earthly distractions.

This verse ties it all together. Our focus determines our direction. If we spend our time thinking about the things of God, His promises, His works, and His truth; our hearts will follow. But if our attention drifts to worldly things, our hearts will too.

The Christian walk isn’t maintained by willpower alone; it’s guided by where our mind dwells. Fill your thoughts with Christ, and your life will begin to reflect Him.

Even the small compromises matter. Things like using substitute words for profanity or watching shows “just a little” beyond our convictions. Those aren’t harmless habits; they plant seeds that grow into patterns of thought. And what grows in our mind eventually bears fruit in our actions.

So instead of asking, “What should I avoid?” ask, “What should I pursue?”

Instead of focusing on not sinning, focus on knowing Him.

The Direction of Your Thoughts

Remember how impossible it was not to think of that basketball or red car? That’s how our minds work. We can’t just stop thinking about something, we have to replace it. The same is true in our spiritual lives. If we only focus on avoiding sin, we’ll find ourselves circling back to it in thought. But if we focus on Christ, the light of His truth drives out the darkness naturally.

The goal isn’t to build a wall around temptation; it’s to fill our hearts so completely with the things of God that temptation has no room left to take root.

So, when you catch yourself saying, “I shouldn’t think that,” change the thought to, “Lord, help me think on what is true, pure, and lovely.” When you find your attention slipping toward worldly things, gently steer it back toward heaven.

The mind is the battlefield of faith but it’s also the place where peace begins. Guard it well, and fill it wisely.