December 16, 2025

Minding Your Thoughts

A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life

December 16

1 Chronicles 29:18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:

King David is asking the Lord God to do an amazing thing. He is asking the Lord to keep something in the imagination of the thoughts of the hearts of His people. In this prayer request the depths of David’s knowledge of God is evident.

First of all, David mentions the three major aspects of the brain: imagination, thoughts, and heart. These three aspects nicely frame the act of conscious mental effort in interconnected ways. Imagination is the ability to picture thoughts in the mind. Thoughts are those ideas that pass by through the decision making process either being accepted as viable actions and beliefs or rejected as inappropriate or erroneous. The heart is the seat of emotion that affects every thought and imagination attaching to it a degree of desire and potential for fulfillment. David seems to understand the concentric relationship of these three characteristics of the mind and thinking.

Second of all, David asks the Lord to keep something in the imagination, thoughts and heart of the people of God. Usually we understand our imagination, thoughts and heart to be ours alone. As such they are protected by the impenetrable wall of one’s self will. Evidently David knew that God could insert something into the imagination, thoughts, and heart and keep it there. Perhaps this sheds new light on John 14:26, But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Perhaps a reevaluation of man’s total and absolute control and protection of their mind is warranted. For it is obvious from the totality of Scripture that God can, and does, implant imaginations, thoughts and desires of the heart into man. This is why prophets could see the future, why Daniel could reveal Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams unto him, even how the Lord inspired men to pen the Word of God, and how John could see the events of the unfolding book of the Revelation. The ramifications of this ability of our Lord are innumerable.

Whatever the case, one thing is certain. David believed that the Lord could keep certain things in the imagination, thoughts and heart of His people. I know that I will begin to pray this way concerning those to whom I preach, my children, and myself. How about you?

May the Lord bless and be pleased with your thought life today.

Dr. William Howe