Warning: Control Your Thoughts Now, Before They Control You

Many years ago, I read a book about a character who had a third ear hidden on the back of her head, and through it, she could hear others’ thoughts. She knew if what someone said aloud matched his or her true intentions. It was meant to be silly, but as a kid, this concept freaked me out.

I started worrying that people around me might actually be able to hear my thoughts.

In more recent years, Twilight’s Edward Cullen took this terrifying skill to a new level. Imagine if it were possible that, at any given moment, someone could hear what you were thinking as clearly as if you’d spoken it out loud. No thought would be safe, and there would be no hiding if your heart didn’t align with your outer actions.

Do you think you’d be more likely to control your thoughts?

Don’t be fooled by the false sanctuary in your mind.

Guard Your Mind: A False Sanctuary

Most of us tend to view the mind as a sanctuary—a place to hide our innermost workings from the rest of the world. We’ve become comfortable with the idea that we can think one thing and say something else, and no one will ever know if . . .

What if someone could hear what you were thinking as clearly as if you’d spoken it out loud?

• you’re having impure thoughts about a member of the opposite sex—or the same sex,
• you’re judging another girl for her size or lack of fashion sense,
• you have curse words running through your head when you smash your finger, or
• you’re silently cursing someone who cut you off in the fast lane.

But consider what would happen if what went on inside your head wasn’t completely private. If someone is listening to your thoughts right now, what would they hear? Would they be uplifted, intrigued, or enlightened? Or would they be mortified, or even scared? Would they still want to be your friend?

Would they still believe you when you say you’re a Christian?

This takes the phrase “guard your mind” to a whole new urgency.

Someone Who Hears Your Every Thought

Like a nightmare coming to reality, there is someone who can and does listen to your thoughts—all of them, all the time. 

The Lord knows the thoughts of mankind. He knows that they are just vapor.

Psalm 94:11

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.”

Psalm 139:2

For the word of God is alive and active . . . It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Isn’t that frightening? The only one who can hear your mind is also the one who will someday judge your soul.

And yet, somehow, we tend to let that crucial little detail slip to the back of our minds while other, more shameful thoughts claim the forefront.

An Incentive to Guard Your Mind

You’ve probably heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” It really should read, “You are what you think.” Or, as Jesus says,

“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.”

Matthew 15:17-18

The truth is, you can only hide your true thoughts for a short while. Eventually, they will come out through your words and actions.

The only one who can hear your mind is also the one who will someday judge your soul.

• Your negative thoughts about people of another race or culture will show up in your next interaction with said people.
• Your “innocent” fantasies will turn into a porn addiction.
• The anger and hate you hide will someday erupt like Mount St. Helens, usually at the worst time.
• Your envy over a friend’s body, boyfriend, or perceived good fortune in life will erode your friendship—if you let it.

And that’s the key. Because if you let these thoughts run untamed through your mind, they will eventually breed more thoughts of the same nature until they control every part of you.

Unless you control your thoughts now, it will be as if everyone around you has a third ear, and you won’t be able to hide anymore.

You don’t have to let that happen. In fact, you shouldn’t.

Control Your Thoughts, Not the Other Way Around

You are what you think, but you don’t have to let your thoughts define who you are.

You control your thoughts so they conform to who God made you to be (Romans 12:2). Think of your thoughts as wild horses. You can let them go wherever they please, and eventually trample you. Or, you can take them captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and train them until they submit to you, just as a rider controls her horse. Don’t let even a single thought run free (Matthew 22:37). Take it and whip it into shape.

And never forget: There is one who searches your heart daily (Psalm 26:2) and will hold you accountable for what happens there, even if no one else ever sees it. 

Set your mind on things above, and let the peace of Christ rule your hearts, your words, your actions and your relationships!

Set Your Mind on Things Above: More Resources For Christian Teens

Looking for practical resources on how to control your thoughts and guard your mind? Check out these articles:

• The Toxic Rut: How to Change Your Thought Patterns: See how you can reroute negative or dangerous thinking patterns using something called misbelief therapy. (No therapist necessary!)
• Faith Over Feelings: 6 Biblical Truths For When You’re Down: Replace the lies you feel with the truth that is.
• Tell Yourself the Truth: How Teens Can Beat Toxic Thoughts With Faith: Ten common lies teens believe, and the truths that should replace them.
• Positive Self-Talk For Christian Teens: Words That Actually Work: Fourteen true statements straight from the Bible that you can tell yourself daily. (*Includes a free printable!)