Captivate your Thoughts

"Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it. – Proverbs 4:23" 

In Proverbs 4:23 the poet tells us to guard our hearts and the reason we need to do this is that everything that we do flows from it.  When I mean everything that we do, I mean everything. 

See guarding your heart is simply choosing what you allow into your heart. For example: 

When people speak negatively into your life, you can choose whether or not you want it to enter into your heart or do you want to discard it. It is your heart and you have to take the initiative to guard it with all your life because other people cannot guard it for you. Similarly, when people give you positive remarks you can either allow it to enter into your life or you can discard it. It's all up to you! Why? Because it is your HEART and you have a choice on what you let in your heart. 

Now would you ever think that part of guarding your heart has to do with captivating your thoughts?

Guarding your heart all starts with the MIND. 

It's like a chain reaction that takes place. 

Mind ------> Heart------->Action 

You need to be very careful with the thoughts you let enter into your mind because once the thought is there it will come out some time or the other

For example, Your friends are talking and you suddenly see someone you do not like, your first thought "I don't like her! I hate her!..." You begin to criticize this person in your mind. No one has heard you but these thoughts are now filling mind and are being flown into your heart.  Now later on in the day, you are talking to your friends on the phone and these thoughts that you once said in your mind are coming out of your mouth! Why? because of the chain reaction! 

I'm pretty sure you can relate to this. 

Sometimes you can be talking and it will just slip out even by ACCIDENT. You didn't mean to say it, but because it is in your heart it will soon come out of it. You try to take back the words but it's too late the damage has already been done. 

Let's take a look at Saul and David from the bible. (1 Samuel 18) 

David slew Goliath and because of that the people in the city began singing 

(v7) “...Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousand.” (v7) 

In verse 8 we see something happening to Saul. Saul allowed what the people were saying to enter into his mind and he became angry. In becoming angry he kept his eye on David.  

8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousand, and to me, they have ascribed only thousands. Now, what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 So Saul [d]eyed David from that day forward.

Now it didn't stop there, David was playing the harp for Saul, but this time Saul had a spear in his hand what we see in verse 11 is that Saul launched his spear at David trying to kill him.

"11 And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice."

Saul allowed the thoughts of the people to enter into his mind which flowed into this heart which eventually came out. Saul didn't try to kill David one time, but it was on multiple occasions. Saul hunted David to kill him. This is the damage that one thought can do.

In all, our thoughts are very powerful and we need to captivate them so that it doesn't flow into our hearts. Because what goes in our hearts will come out.

If your thoughts are negative, negative things will flow out.
If your thoughts are hatred, hatred will come out.
If your thoughts are sad and depressing, that is what is going to flow out of you.
etc...

So be mindful and captivate your thoughts.
In Philippians 4:8 the bible gives us a list of things to think about.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 

We are to think on these things.
Start to scan your thoughts. 
As yourself, Is it true? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it right? Is it admirable? Is it honorable? 

If your thoughts match these then YES! Keep it and let it flow into your heart. 

If NOT then discard it immediately.  

It is not going to be easy, however, the best way to make this easier is by continuing to devout yourself to God and studying His word.  
It is going to take some practice but it is worth it.