It’s a Mental Matter

“stir up your pure minds by way of reminder….” (II Peter 3:1-4)

A pure mind is one uncontaminated by impure thoughts and programmed with Bible concepts. Evaluate your mind in light of this and honestly ask yourself if yours is a pure mind. Does it need to be cleaned up?

Philippians 4:8 chronicles the type of thoughts of a pure mind. They are:

“whatever things are true, whatsoever things are noble, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy —- meditate on these things.” 

Keep your mind pure, wholesome, uncontaminated, sincere.

Be certain you haven’t reached a point of arrested spiritual growth. That is, have you reached, perhaps even a good stage of spiritual growth, but have not grown beyond it. Rebel against spiritual stagnation.

Are you a wasp Christian or an alligator Christian? A wasp is as big as it will ever be the day it is born. An alligator grows every day of its life right up to death. Be a spiritual gator, grow on.

“…gird up the loins of your mind.” (I Peter 1:13) This is an appeal to prepare for spiritual warfare. Warriors wore long garments. When approaching a battle in order to get ready they tucked them in their belts. It is like saying role up your sleeves. Expect and be ready for opposition.

The expression “be sober” means to avoid anything resulting in the loss of self-control. It is an appeal to engage in self-discipline. With a pure mind you can better reason and comprehend life’s situations. Fuel your mind with Scripture and let that fuel propel you into conduct worthy of the Lord.

Then a support clause follows, “be mindful of the words,” which means to know the word of God and how to apply it to various situations. This requires a lifetime of Bible study. Plan your program of daily Bible study.

Resolve, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)

Don’t let any thought walk through your mind that has dirty feet.

When improper thoughts pop-up in your mind, they should not be allowed to stay. You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building their nest in your hair.

Train your mind to think Jesus thoughts.