An encouraging word on renewing your mind and taking charge of your thoughts.

People like to say, “You are what you eat.” However, I’ve never understood that one: I eat a lot of beef and don’t look like a cow. But the Bible gives us a different, far more powerful saying: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

You are not what you eat. You are what you think.

The things you allow to occupy your mind are the things that dictate the decisions you make throughout your life. What you think about, you become.

The Picky Dad Who Taught Me a Lesson

Growing up, my dad had a collection of sayings and little rules that used to drive me absolutely bonkers. He was picky about the smallest things.

One time I got caught doing something I shouldn’t have, and I tried to explain that I did it unintentionally. I said, “I did that on accident.” He nearly flipped his lid.

“So you mean you were having an accident, and you did this on top of that accident? You should say by accident, not on accident.”

At the time, I thought, What difference does it make? An accident is an accident. But I made sure I never made that mistake again — because I concentrated on getting it right. And decades later, whenever someone says “on accident,” I still hear my dad’s voice in my head.

That’s the principle: concentration brings conformity. The things you focus on are the things you become.

Present Your Body — It’s Just Reasonable

The Apostle Paul picks up this same thread in Romans 12:1–2:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Notice that word — reasonable. Presenting your body as a living sacrifice doesn’t make you a superstar Christian. It doesn’t earn you a trophy. After everything the Lord has done and continues to do for us, it’s simply reasonable — like holding a door for someone and expecting a “thank you.”

And just as it’s unreasonable when someone doesn’t say thank you, it’s unreasonable to God when we refuse to present ourselves to Him.

Don’t Be Conformed — Be Transformed

Then Paul gets to the heart of it:

“Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

The world system is in opposition to God. It tells you not to sacrifice for anything that doesn’t bring you pleasure or personal benefit. When you refuse to live that way, you’re making an intentional decision to not be conformed.

But notice how the transformation happens: by the renewing of your mind. Your mind is the battlefield. The things you think become the things you love. The things you occupy yourself with become the things that take first place in your life — and the Bible tells us that first place belongs to Jesus.

The world keeps your mind filled with everything else, keeping you occupied with things that pull you away from the Lord.

You Can’t Hide from the World

I’ll admit — my dream is to be Grizzly Adams. Just live up in the mountains, have a pet bear, not worry about people or the internet or the news. Sounds peaceful, right? (Minus the being-falsely-accused-of-murder part.)

But that’s not what we’re called to do. We’re supposed to be in the world, but not of the world. You can’t seclude yourself and study your Bible 24/7. You have to live among people, deal with culture, and navigate the noise.

So what should we do?

The List: What to Think About

The Apostle Paul gives us a practical filter in Philippians 4:8:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

And then he says: do these things. Put them into action. And the God of peace will be with you.

Second Corinthians 10:5 reminds us to bring our imaginations into captivity and obedience. We’re in charge of our own minds. We’re too quick to blame the media, the devil, and everyone in between for what occupies our thoughts — but the truth is, we’re concentrating on the wrong things far too often.

The Encouraging Word

Be intentional about the things you allow to occupy your mind. What you concentrate on, you conform to. So concentrate on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.

Think on these things.