Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me. . Can we all agree that quote is not totally true? It’s true sticks and stones can break bones but words do hurt and cause wounds that we sometimes can’t see for years. Words are powerful, they are containers of life or containers of death. They either bring the change we hope for or they bring the destruction we will regret.

Proverbs 23:7 – As a man thinks so he is.

We recently heard a sermon series called Life and Death at Journey Church which caused some things to stir up inside of me. It took me back to a time in life where I needed a course correction. We were newlyweds living in Wisconsin. Everything was new for us, newly married, new city, new job, new church, new friends, new climate… it was cold! We had a lot of adjustments to make those first few years of marriage. But one of the biggest adjustments I had to make was with my thoughts and words!

I soon discovered the things I was thinking about, the grumbling going on in my mind and eventually out of my mouth about all the newness in my life and how hard it was for me was revealed by the words I was saying. My conversations were becoming pretty negative and what should have been a happy time in life was becoming pretty miserable. Thank God for people in my life who offered spiritual wisdom and the Word of God which is powerful enough to get right to the issues and cut out what doesn’t belong. (Hebrews 4:12)

As I read scripture I discovered Proverbs 23:7 – As a man thinks so he is. . This short but powerful verse was a game changer. I was beginning to understand my wrong attitude and negative words traced back to what I was thinking about. My thinking was determining how happy or successful I saw myself and our life. I needed a firm understanding of how God wanted me to think. If I could change the negative way I thought about myself and current situation I could change what I was saying and ultimately change my circumstances.

What is our self-talk about? Are we beating ourselves up? Are we thinking negative thoughts about our spouse, children, coworkers, government and even God?

Luke 6:45 tells us that out of the heart the mouth speaks. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flows the rivers of life. . It all starts in our thinking. What are we thinking about? What are we meditating? What we think about eventually settles in our heart and then flows out of our mouth.

What is our self-talk about? Are we beating ourselves up? Are we thinking negative thoughts about our spouse, children, coworkers, government and even God?

As we take inventory of our thoughts let’s compare them to what Philippians 4:8 says we should think about. Are our thoughts true? Do they bring honor and respect? Are they right and confirmed by God’s word? Are our thoughts pure and wholesome? Lovely? Do our thoughts bring peace and a good report? Are our thoughts full of praise?

What do we do if our thoughts don’t line up with this scripture? Take them captive! Scripture tells us we need to tear down every argument and obstacle that keeps people from knowing God and take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). Taking captive and tearing down requires action. And depending on how long you have been thinking and saying wrong thoughts will determine how hard or easy it will be for you to start thinking and saying life giving words.

We must be proactive about what we are allowing into our minds. Are our thoughts a reflections of who God is?

As a man thinks so he is…

• I am a child of God and loved by Him.
• I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength
• I am the righteousness in Christ
• God is for me and not against me
• I am seated in heavenly places and everything my hand touches prospers
• I walk in signs, wonders, and miracles
• Jesus’ blood paid for everything
• I am healed, set free and made whole.
• Let’s think God thoughts about ourselves and others and declare them out of our mouth.