"Many people seem to have difficulty in keeping their thoughts pure and their minds free from things they know are not according to the life of a Christian. If we closely follow the Word of God on this, as well as on other lines, we will have no trouble whatever. We are told to "gird up the loins of our mind." We can have the master over them if we just will. It depends much on what we permit our minds to feed and dwell upon. We will always have pure, holy and good thoughts and our mind will be pure and stayed on God and heavenly things if we obey the injunction in Phil. 4:8, "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." Why allow our minds to dwell on impure or unholy things when there are so many good things of which to think?
If we would keep the loins of our minds girded up and, as an impure or unholy thought comes, banish it at once, there would be no crop of impure thoughts, for the soil of our minds would be continually kept pure. Nor should we listen to impure or unholy language, for it will make a greater or less impression on our minds that will have a reflection, and often when we want our minds for clean, pure thoughts, the enemy will try to bring these things to us to scatter and hinder the pure, holy thoughts we want for our profit. Neither should we indulge in, nor listen to impure and unprofitable stories or gossip. All these things have their influence, and the reflection on the soul and spiritual life is harmful.
Let us guard our thoughts as well as our words. Let every thought be so pure that we would not be ashamed to have it written out that all might see it. This is not impossible, for He whom we serve has promised that every thought shall be brought into subjection to the obedience of Christ. (II Cor. 10:5.) -J. M. Byers
