The NIV 365 Day Devotional

Positive Thinking: God’s Thoughts, Our Thoughts

Psychologists teach that the way people think affects their emotions, their ability to relate to others and their ability to cope in difficult circumstances. They maintain that positive thinking increases happiness and success in life.

Christians are to be positive thinkers (Php 4:11,13). However, the Bible teaches that this trait is not gained through mere personal effort. Rather, it is a by- product of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Believers are to meditate on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable (Php 4:8). Their minds are to be filled with virtuous and praiseworthy thoughts. Those whose hearts have not been changed by God’s Spirit will find that ultimately they are powerless to combat the evil in their minds, for the condition of their hearts determines the condition of their thoughts (Mt 15:19), and ungodly thoughts will inevitably manifest themselves in ungodly speech and action (Jude 15– 16).

The power of the Holy Spirit enables the Christian to make every thought obedient to Christ (2Co 10:5) and truly to think, speak and act positively.

Taken from The NIV Woman’s Study Bible.