December 9, 2025

Minding Your Thoughts

A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life

1 Corinthians 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

The word “evil” is used 569 times in the Bible. Love is only used 281 times, charity only 24 times, even the word peace is used 169 times less than the word evil. However, the word “good” is used 655 times. Surely Romans 12:21 is true, Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Good always overcomes evil, even as it is used numerically in Scripture.

A mind that thinketh no evil is a blessed mind. It is a peaceful mind, it is a loving mind, it is a sweet mind, it is a good mind, and it is a mind pleasing to the Lord God. To think no evil is a characteristic of a controlled mind. The Apostle Paul wrote: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection… (I Corinthians 9:27) Keeping the body under subjection begins by keeping ones thinking under subjection. For almost an entire year these devotions have dealt with keeping one’s mind in subjection.

Devotions such as these could be received every day seven times a day for a lifetime and do no good to those who read them. The principles of God’s Word concerning mind, thinking, and thoughts must be brought under subjection through self-will. Consider this matter of “thinketh no evil” this can only be accomplished through personal determination. It is possible to have a mind that thinks no evil, for God’s Word says it is possible. But it will only be accomplished by doing it. Yes, prayer, preaching and Bible study will help. However personal responsibility cannot be overlooked. God will not snap His fingers and make your mind absent of evil thoughts. When evil thoughts arise they must be banished by the one doing the thinking. Remember, your mind does not control you, you control your mind.

Paul admonished Timothy to “Fight the good fight of faith…” (I Timothy 6:12); Nowhere is this fight more real than in the mind. It is a struggle that must be won every day by each and every person. After a while the mind may become well trained and the fight may wane. But given the right accelerant, those smoldering embers of an evil mind can roar to life again. I leave you with the words of King David to his son Solomon concerning building the Temple, “Be strong and do it…” (I Chronicles 28:10).

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

Dr. William Howe