I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said, “Don’t believe everything you think.” At first, it struck me as odd but then I realized just how profound it is.

By definition, a thought is a cognitive response to both internal and external stimuli. The average person has up to 60,000 thoughts per day. Most of those pass through our minds unnoticed. But every now and then, we latch on to one and that one thought can change everything.

Thoughts influence beliefs.

Beliefs impact feelings.

Feelings shape behavior.

Behavior leads to real-world outcomes.

If we latch on to a thought that isn't true, it can damage our lives in significant ways.

A Real-World Example

Let me illustrate.

I emailed a project proposal to my boss. I thought it was a great idea and a cost-saver for the company. His reply?

“Great work Tom. Please run this by accounting before implementing.”

Suddenly, a thought invades my mind: “Does he think I’m not smart enough to check the numbers?”

That thought grows into a belief: “My boss thinks I’m an idiot.”

Then come the feelings, behaviors, and outcomes: I’m hurt. I’m angry. Everything my boss says feels like a slight. The quality of my work drops. I vent to coworkers. Morale suffers. Our team becomes divided and toxic.

Now, let’s replay the same scenario but this time, I don’t act on the thought but instead seek clarity.

I respond, “Thanks. I’m a bit confused, was there something I missed when you said to run it by accounting?”

His reply: “Not at all, as I said this is great work. I had a similar project years ago, and accounting had to set up new GL codes. It caused headaches after the fact. I just wanted to save you the trouble.”

Wow. In this version, I see my boss as wise and caring. I share his helpfulness with my team. Morale improves. Productivity soars.

Same situation. Different beliefs. Different feelings. Different behaviors. Different outcomes. 

The Spiritual Battle in Our Minds

As believers, we have a deeper understanding of what’s going on here. There’s more than psychology at work there’s spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 6:10-18 paints the picture vividly:

“Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil... Take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (v.11,16-17)

Satan’s primary weapons? Lies.

Jesus calls him “the father of lies” in John 8:44.

1 Peter 5:8 warns us he “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

John 10:10 reminds us “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”

So how does Satan devour and destroy?

One way is through lies disguised as thoughts. These thoughts (lies) are what Ephesians 6:16 calls flaming arrows. Just like an arrow they appear silently out of nowhere and hit you unexpectedly.

Taking Every Thought Captive

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 gives us the strategy to defeat Satan’s lies:

“We take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

We don’t fight thoughts with more thoughts we bring them to Jesus.

Here are four questions to ask when evaluating a thought:

1. Does this thought align with God’s character?

2. Does it line up with God’s Word?

3. Will acting on this thought reflect obedience to Jesus?

4. Will acting on this thought draw others toward saving faith in Jesus?

If the answer to any of these is no, that thought needs to go.

Use Your Shield of Faith

Ephesians 6:16 tells us:

“Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Faith is how we put out the fire before it spreads. It stops the thought before it leads to a terrible outcome.

Tony Evans puts it this way:

“Faith is acting like God is telling the truth and being obedient to His view on a matter. Acting in faith is like activating a divine fire extinguisher.”

When a destructive thought comes, raise the shield. Choose to believe God over your feelings or assumptions.

Final Encouragement

Don’t believe everything you think.

Some thoughts are truth.

Some are lies.

Only the Word of God can help you tell the difference.

Let God’s Truth shape your Calling and strengthen your Community.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

My prayer is that you learn to recognize the lies, hold on to truth, and walk in freedom.