I’m Responsible for What I Allow into my Mind

In review of Proverbs 15:14 it says, “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash” (NLT).

Today’s passage comes from Proverbs 15:14 and tells me that a wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.

What I feed my mind is just as important as what I feed my body. The kinds of books I read, the people I talk with, the music I listen to, and the TV programs and films I watch are all part of my mental diet. This proverbs verse reminds me that I need to be discerning because what I feed my mind influences my total health and well-being. Thus, I need to form a strong desire to discover truth and knowledge, for it is a mark of wisdom.

My mind controls everything about me. My thoughts influence my feelings. My feelings impact my actions. What I think matters, because everything starts in the mind. To be a responsible person, I have to control my thoughts.

It’s good to know that I’m not responsible for every stray thought that passes through my mind. Stray thoughts enter for a variety of reasons; conversations I hear by accident, things I see, stuff the devil puts in my mind, etc.

However, I am responsible for how I deal with those stray thoughts. Martin Luther said it like this: “You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”

God will hold me accountable for what I allow to enter into my mind.

I should be careful how I might be watching trashy TV and listening to trashy radio. How I might pay good money to see deviant behavior as entertainment. I can’t just think that watching such shows don’t affect me.

Scientists have done study after study that says I never really forget any scene I’ve see. Even if I don’t consciously recall the scene, that idea will come right back to my mind — in living color — when something else stimulates the thought.

In other words, “Garbage in, garbage out.” What I put into my mind will inevitably bear fruit in my behavior and beliefs. In fact, when trashy entertainment doesn’t bother me anymore, it’s a warning light that I’ve already passed the threshold.

One of Satan’s greatest tricks for attracting me to sinful lifestyles is comedy. That’s why on television or in movies, deviant behavior always starts in a comedic situation. If Satan can get you laughing at something that is sinful, I’ve already lost the battle.

Sin isn’t funny. Sin put Jesus on the cross.

So today I need to consider what I’m filling my brain with?

Bottom Line:

The wise are hungry for knowledge, fools feed on trash

What this means me:

If I am wise, my hunger will be for knowledge versus feeding myself on trash.

In summary, I need to be hungry for knowledge and not trash. What I feed my mind is just as important as what I feed my body. My thoughts will influence my feelings and my feelings will impact my actions. God will hold me accountable for what I have allowed to enter my mind..

This morning Father I pray that your Spirit helps remind me to think about what I’m feeding my mind with. I want to feed on truth and not trash. Also Father I ask for your continued guidance in helping me sort through, organize and take action on the tasks for myself and my team. Also give me wisdom for how to handle some feedback I received yesterday and how to coach and counsel through that situation. Help me to respond to others in a loving manner. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!