Destructive Thinking

1. Unsubstantiated certainty.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. —James 3:17 (ESV)

2. They’re all wrong.

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. —Proverbs 11:14 (KJV)

3. Everybody hates me.

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. —Luke 2:52 (NIV)

4. Emotionally based.

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? —Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)

Think about the right things

“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” —(Joshua 1:2-3, 6-7, 9 NIV)

1. Courage is powered by focus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. —Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

2. If you’ll think about the right things, you’ll win at the hard things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. —Philippians 4:9 (NIV)

3. Hold your thoughts and don’t let your thoughts hold you.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. —2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

Discussion Questions

Icebreaker:
True or False. It is acceptable to have Christmas decorations set up right now. Defend your point.

1. “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (NASB). What does it mean for the heart to be desperately sick?

2. According to Philippians 4:8, what is Paul’s solution to thought pollution? How can we put it into practice?

3. Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. How does taking thoughts captive help us win spiritual battles?

Going deeper:

True. Noble. Right. Pure. Lovely. Admirable. Excellent. Praiseworthy. These are the characteristics of what our thinking pattern should be. Over the next few weeks, make it a habit to look at a photo and/or reflect on a memory and find those characteristics. Journal about them as you do.