In my last article, “Can You Trust Your Conscience?”, I explored that inner voice guiding us through life, for better or worse. Today, I want to look at something woven into that idea: the power of our thoughts. It’s all connected—what we think and what we trust inside ourselves.
Proverbs 23:7 in the NIV says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” That’s straightforward, but it’s also deeper than it sounds. The thoughts we let settle in our hearts shape who we become, whether we realize it or not. It’s a bit like tending a garden—whatever we plant is what’s going to grow.
But where do our thoughts come from, anyway? Most of the time, they’re influenced by what we let in. Think about all the TV shows, music, and internet content we absorb every day. We like to think we’re in control, but the truth is, these things leave a mark. Ever caught yourself singing a commercial jingle you didn’t even like? That’s how sneaky these influences can be.
It reminds me of something from the early days of computers. Back in the 1960s, an IBM programmer named George Fuechsel helped make the phrase “garbage in, garbage out” popular. Basically, if you put bad data into a computer, you get bad results. Our minds work the same way. If we fill them with negativity or lies—even if we’re just zoning out—those things start shaping our thoughts and eventually our choices.
If we flip that around, though, it’s actually pretty encouraging. Philippians 4:8 (NIV) gives us a blueprint for healthy thinking: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” When we’re intentional about what we take in, our thoughts get clearer and our conscience gets stronger. We don’t see the world through rose-colored glasses, but we do start to see it with more hope and honesty.
Sometimes, we don’t pay much attention to what’s going into our minds. It’s easy to just go through the motions, not thinking about the impact. But you wouldn’t put sugar in your gas tank and expect your car to run, right? In the same way, you can’t keep feeding your mind junk and hope for good results.
So, what do you think about? What are you giving space to in your head and your heart? If you don’t like what’s coming out, maybe it’s time to look at what’s going in. Our thoughts really are powerful—they shape our conscience, our actions, and the kind of person we become. The best part? We get to choose what we let in.
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” It all starts there. Choose what you feed your mind, and you’ll be surprised by how much it shapes your life.
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of Your Word and for reminding us how powerful our thoughts truly are. We ask for wisdom and discernment as we choose what to let into our minds and hearts. Help us to fill our lives with what is true, noble, pure, and admirable, so that our thoughts and actions reflect Your love and truth. Guide us to guard our minds and shape our conscience according to Your will. Strengthen us to turn away from anything that leads us astray, and give us the courage to seek what is good and pleasing to You.
May our thoughts draw us closer to You each day, and may everything we do bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.