In Today’s health conscious society, we all understand that we are what we eat. Furthermore, we realize a lot of the food available tastes and looks great, but isn’t good for our health. In fact, we’ve come to call it “junk” food.
By being selective and exercising regular self-discipline, however, we can eat what’s good for us. When we do so over an extended period of time, we begin to feel better and will hopefully live longer, because, on a physical level, we are what we eat. In like manner, on a spiritual level, we are what we think.
Our mind controls our conduct
The Master made the point in stinging words to the Pharisees when he said:
“Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit [what a tree produces will be true to its internal condition].
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man ad of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matt. 12:33-35).
The things we do and the words we speak will be accurate reflections of what’s in our minds. Of course, this is true to one of the first principles of scripture. There is no personal Satan making us do wrong, and the Holy Spirit does not take over our minds to make us do right We are what we think.
Is this always true?
We may feel we can conceal our real hostility to a person by speaking in a polite manner. In fact, some may feel they are very good at making a pretense of respect and love when they want a favor. And others may think they can conceal their disdain for God by watching their language, especially in religious company.
But a put-on manner is only good for so long; eventually the real person shows. We are just like the Pharisees if our minds are full of pride and self-worship; circumstances inevitably arise which provoke the abundance of our hearts to come pouring forth from our mouth. Experience confirms the truth of Christ’s words, only if our minds are full of love for God and care for others will we consistently act in a reverent and caring manner.
On the other hand, we may sound nasty, uncaring or irreverent, but excuse it by claiming that’s really not me; it is not what is in my heart. This may be true once in a while, but if we are honest with ourselves, most of the time Christ’s point is right on the mark. Those irreverent or uncaring words come from the abundance of the mind. They are a sure indicator that we are full of irreverence or selfishness.
A striking confirmation
In another place, but again in the context of those who made an outward show of religion, the Lord articulates the point that we are what we think.
“From within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye [envy], blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man” (Mk. 7:21-23).
What penetrating words! We have no one else to blame for our sins. Our sins reveal what dominates our minds, they reveal what we treasured up inside us. We truly are what we think.
What’s in our minds?
Inherently our instincts tend toward survival, self-interest and self-fulfillment. We begin with our minds filled with self— every baby proves the point as its mind is wholly absorbed in what is good for itself.
We don’t have any choice about how we began, but we certainly have a choice as to what we put into our minds. If we put in what appeals to our basic passions, it will readily stick in our minds and add to what is inherently there. That is why it is so easy to fill our minds with thoughts of grasping things for ourselves, of exalting ourselves, of satisfying our appetites and of violent defense of self’.
On the other hand, it is much more difficult to run counter to our natural instincts —to fill our minds with concern for others, with submission to God, with humility and holiness.
A practical concern
Here is the practical point of this exhortation: we are concerned with the content of the videos, TV programs, movies and some internet sites that we watch. If we compare the contents of Mark 7:21-22 with what’s out there, a lot of it is full of exactly the sins Christ enumerated. Such things appeal to our passions; they easily stick in our minds and build up a storehouse of the wrong kind of thinking.
Since we are what we think, filling our minds with the wrong things will result in our being selfish, covetous, violent, licentious, etc.
To change we must change our minds
If we are not happy with our pattern of behavior, the only way to change is to change what is in our minds. That is the point Paul makes several times in his epistles:
“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2).
The word “renew” does not fully convey the strength of Paul’s point. Other versions have “complete change,” which comes closer to what we must do. Since we are what we think, we cannot be filled with carnal thoughts and do the will of God. As Paul said earlier in Romans, “to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:6-7). If we are to act like Christ, our minds must be a treasure trove of his kind of thinking
The point is made again in Ephesians: “Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and…put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph. 4:22-24 NKJV). Again, the key to making a change from one manner of fife to another is to change our thinking.
Immediately before these verses is the depiction of unconverted Gentiles who walk “in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them…” (Eph. 4:17-18). Note the emphasis on the conditions of their minds. Clearly, we are what we think.
Mental junk abounds
A problem in our society is that unhealthy movies, videos, etc., are readily available and naturally enjoyable — exactly like junk food. If we want to eat healthy, it takes deliberate effort. The healthful food is available, but we have to seek it out. The same is true with movies, videos and TV programs; it takes effort to find what is less harmful to our minds or to find alternative activities.
True, much sinful content may be more naturally appealing to our nature, just like junk food. But many find an interesting change occurs when they start eating healthfully: after a while you lose your appetite for junk food. It tastes too salty or bothers the stomach. The same thing happens with scenes of iniquity. If we develop spiritually healthy minds, we don’t enjoy the junk videos any more; they shock our system.
Thoughts as important as actions
We are what we think puts the spotlight on the content of our minds; something else does that as well. The Lord ranks the importance of what we think right along with the importance of what we say and do. “Blessed are the poor in spirit” speaks of an attitude which exists wholly in our thoughts. “Blessed are the pure in heart” does the same (Matt. 5:3,8).
How can we possibly be “pure in heart” if we fill our minds with one scene after another of lascivious behavior? Movies, TV, videos and the internet all feature a very heavy content of sensual behavior which can only be avoided by deliberate and careful selection of what we watch. We are dealing with a Lord who wants the mind right not only because it controls our conduct but also because He looks directly at it. He is “a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).
In this very intense and personal way, we are what we think.
Think on these things
With these points before us, the apostle’s words take on renewed importance:
“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest…just…pure, lovely, of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).
We come now to remember our Lord who did exactly this. As we reflect upon him and all that was accomplished through him on our behalf, let us resolve to do as he did, to fill our minds with spiritual things. It is when we do so that the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One