Proverbs 4:23 NASB1995
Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

God’s transformation is not to change our words or actions, but to change our heart. The words we say flow out of what is in our hearts and on our minds. What enters through our eyes and ears takes root in our mind and shapes our heart. The things we pour in and meditate on will certainly show up in our words and actions.

We live in a fallen world, and the culture around us is saturated and overflowing with words; many of them unhelpful. Feeding our minds on a diet of news, talk shows, opinion pieces or rants will make it very difficult to speak life-giving, encouraging words. Things that keep our minds on earthly things do not bring heavenly perspective or bear godly fruit.

Proverbs 18:2 NASB1995
A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.

Likewise, meditating on Scripture shapes our mindset and teaches us to filter our thoughts through the lens of God’s eternal perspective. Scripture is God’s story; teaching us His character, His ways and His purposes. When we keep Him and His Word in the forefront of our mind, this, too, will shape our heart.

When God has redeemed your heart through salvation, He will also sanctify to make you more like Him. We invite this transformation when we seek Him in the Word and in prayer.

Philippians 4:8 NASB1995
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Today, consider what your mind is taking in. Consider the impact of the content that you see and hear. The repeated thoughts, worries or fears that linger in your mind are meditations. If you want to start making a change, recognize when one negative train of thought enters your mind and decide that you will not let it become your focus. Read Scripture aloud to replace the negative thought. Ask God to help you purify your thoughts and to make the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart pleasing to Him. He will answer.

Psalms 19:14 NASB1995
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Next Steps:

• Pray Psalm 19:14
• Filter what influences you. Is there anything you’re watching or listening to that you know does not yield godly fruit?
• Write down one scripture to meditate on to replace an unhealthy thought pattern.