Train yourself for godliness (1 Timothy 4:7, ESV).
Taking control of our lives isn’t passive. We need a strategic plan.
The Bible teaches that any plan for godliness should begin with our thoughts. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “Take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Question: Does our thought-life resemble a puppy loosed from his cage and rummaging amok in the kitchen garbage can? Or does our thinking reflect Psalm 19:14, “Let the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord.”
Errant puppy or self-controlled?
Throughout my walk with Jesus, I’ve developed “self-control” plans for my mind. My plans are easy to remember and can be used to discern “bad thinking” and control these thoughts before they run amok.
I’m now using what I call LED discernment.
L is for lust. Any thought that has a strong desire. This can be impurity, anger, bitterness, a better home, or something we can’t afford. We all fanaticize about a life seemingly better than the one we are living.
Catch these thoughts at their inception in your mind and praise God instead.
E is for exaggeration. We all magnify our frustrations. Example: That idiot who just cut me off in traffic can’t drive, or that person is always negative, or nothing ever goes right for me, or after this incident, I’m never going to church again.
Bind exaggerated thoughts at the onset by saying, “God, I extend grace to others and to myself.”
D is for demeaning thoughts. Don’t think, “I can’t do this.” Don’t consider, “I’m not blessed like others.” Refrain from thinking, “I’m discouraged; I want to quit.”
Instead, think, “God, give me your peace, power, and provision.”
As I developed my LED Thought Capture Technique, I knew that LED is the name for the type of lighting that we have in our homes. LED lighting comes in hues ranging from soft yellow to bright white.
I want the brightest light available to expose my dark thinking. An overarching promise of Jesus that has been helpful with my LED plan is …
I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12).
J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of the Lord of the Rings series, wrote, “Darkness cannot be seen, cannot be felt, cannot be heard, cannot be smelt. It lies behind stars and under hills, and empty holes it fills. It comes first and follows after; ends life and kills laughter.”
I challenge you to turn on the LED of your soul and expel darkness.
LED – Lustful, Exaggerated, and Demeaning thoughts cannot withstand the light of Jesus!