In the past year or so, I begged the Lord to change my life. I was very dissatisfied with it, to say the least. His reply was simple. “Change your attitude, and I’ll change your life.” It took me over a year to realize He was not talking about my attitude like it was some random thing out of my control. He was speaking of my attitude that results from my thinking, and He made it very clear that I could change the way I think. The Bible tells me I need to cast down imaginations and anything that lifts itself up higher than the Word of God (2 Cor. 10:5 KJV). So obviously God wants me to work on my thinking, right? Well, what would Jesus think?
For the past few days, I started thinking about what Jesus would think. For some reason, people have focused in years past on what Jesus would do. What would Jesus do? But isn’t what we do a result of the way we think? I believe it is a mistake to try to change my actions without changing my thoughts. Certainly I can try to do this, but chances are I will revert right back to my old actions if I continue to think as I always have. It is even highly possible I will be unable to change my actions if I do not begin with working on my thoughts. So what would Jesus think?
Think about it. I have. And still am. What does Jesus think when He sees someone in need? “Oh, what a loser. Why doesn’t that guy get off welfare and get a job already?” No, I don’t think that is what Jesus thought. “Look at the state of this world. Why bother with it? I think I’ll go on vacation and enjoy my own life.” Surely Jesus didn’t think this way. “My Father in heaven is knocking on the door of my heart. I think I’ll turn the other way.” No way. “I’m such a loser. Look at how much weight I gained.” Did Jesus even own a mirror? Was He consumed with Himself? “Look at that woman in that magazine. Hope nobody catches me looking. Love that new style of swimsuit.” No, not a chance. So what did Jesus do? What did Jesus think?
Take one good look at the fruit of the Spirit of God (Gal. 5:22), take one good look at the actions of Jesus, take one good look at the Bible, and meditate on what Jesus must have thought. Have you ever known anyone with His level of love? Of compassion? Patience? Kindness? Mercy? Forgiveness? Sacrifice? Now, begin to imagine what Jesus would think.
If you’re desperately in love with the Lord like I am, if you’re sold out to loving and serving the Lord like me, if you’re wanting a life change that can only come by God’s grace, if you’re wanting to get to a new level in how you act, then why not make a decision to change the way you think. And if you’re not quite sure if you’re thinking is the way God would want it to be, just picture what Jesus would think. Think about it. Pray about it. Open up the Bible. Meditate on it.
The next time you have a thought that doesn’t seem quite right, ask yourself this. Would Jesus think this? Here’s an example. “I ate too much for lunch today. Ugh, I don’t feel so great. Now I will gain all that weight I’ve desperately wanted not to gain.” What would Jesus think? Let me guess. “Thank you Father for providing for all of my needs. Thank you God for a day of rest. Thank you God for this time I can seek you. Thank you God for helping me to see the need in those around me. Lead me, guide me, help me to be a help.”
What would Jesus think? I can’t speak for Jesus, but I do know He would not likely think as I tend to do. And rather than berate myself for not thinking the way I would like, I endeavor instead to learn how to cast down thoughts that go against God’s Word, to replace them with thoughts that do match up with God’s Word, and to continue to follow Jesus.
Lord, I have had to many bad thoughts, negative thoughts, wrong thoughts, evil thoughts, useless thoughts, so very many thoughts that I know are not what you would choose me to think – throughout my life. Please forgive me! And please, Lord, teach me to think as I should. Renew my mind as I study and learn to apply your Word to my life. Cleanse my mind, Lord, cleanse my life. Fill my mind with pure thoughts. And when I fall short, chasten me because you love me. Teach me your ways, oh Lord. I want to be a pure vessel that you might fill and use for your glory. Let my mind be a place that your name would be glorified. In Jesus name. Amen.
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