Just Say NO!

 ^"Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]" (Col. 3:2, Amp).

Have you ever been held hostage by negative thoughts: expecting the worst, noticing only the worst in people or situations; having a general mistrust of others or their motives; allowing your feelings or emotions to define reality; or negative self-talk that may cause you to believe that you can't do anything right?

Negativity and a negative mindset can be extremely overwhelming at times. May we learn to identify these negativities and learn to just say NO when they try to overtake our minds and steal our joy. Let's see how we can take our thoughts captive and say NO:

I. Our minds can truly be a battleground at times, so we must armor up with God's armor and fight any deceptive thoughts that cloud our minds! ( See Eph. 6:13-17)

II. Be obedient to Jesus Christ by submitting our thoughts to His teachings and to His authority.

III. Filter those negative thoughts by evaluating the source. Do they contradict God's word? Are they truth? If not, then they are NOT from God, just say NO!

IV. Renewal of the mind is a continual process of filtering constantly and renewing it with Scripture.

 ^"Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]" (Phil. 4:8, Amp).

V. Be prepared to take constant action! This will include: prayer, Bible study, Focusing continually on positive qualities of yourself and others, and seeking godly help with any persistent negative patterns of thinking.

 ^"And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]" (Rom. 12:2, Amp).

"Change your thoughts through God's word - His truths, not the world's. Take every negative thought captive that threatens to invade your thinking . Do it in the name of Jesus Christ immediately. Give it to Him and let Him deal with it. No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]"

(I Cor. 10:13, Amp). God never allows us to have tempting thoughts that we cannot say NO to. Just say NO to any temptation that may cause you to become consumed with negativity; never become a perpetual negative thinker! May we be on the look-out for any negative, destructive thoughts and not get caught up in them, learn to say NO and stop them in the name of Jesus.

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.." (Prov. 23:7, KJV).

Father, we praise You and honor You as our Lord and Savior. You are in control of all things. You are always with us and You will never leave us, thank You, Father for Your presence. Please fill us up daily with Your Spirit so we will not succumb to negative thoughts. Aid us in the renewal of our minds, thoughts, words, and deeds today. May we not be discouraged, but always know that with You we can be strengthened. May we stand firm and renew our minds with Your living Word today. Thank You, Lord for the armor You provide for us, may we tighten the helmet of salvation to protect our minds and thought patterns. We offer our praise for Jesus and it's in His holy name we pray, Amen.