Philippians 4:8 English Standard Version (ESV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Remember yesterday’s devotional about influences and look at this as the answer to that problem. Note carefully here that thinking on things that are pleasing is not listed. Pleasure is associated with a wide range of physical responses to past experiences. It can lead to obsession, addiction and bondage to something unhealthy for the soul.

We have free will and we choose what we want to dwell upon. It is a choice and Satan isn’t making you choose what to think. Do not blame Satan for the choices we make. We are free in Christ to choose the better thing.

Luke 10:41-42 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

What was Mary doing prior to this? Sitting at Jesus’ feet hanging on every word. Mary was practicing Philippians 4:8.

Is there something inside you saying “But I have things to do, responsibilities to be met.” Often times we receive these encouragements after our day begins. Do we start out our day as Mary did or are we distracted by worldly concerns? If we start the day as Mary did, then the words of Jesus hold true for us all day long. The words will not be taken from us.

We make a conscious decision as to how our days begin.

Psalm 94:11 English Standard Version (ESV) the Lord—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

Does Satan know what you are thinking? I said yesterday that when we speak Satan hears. When we act Satan sees. The only power Satan has in this world is influence. I am not saying Satan places temptation in our way. It is all a matter of statistical probability. When it comes down to temptation much of it is spread by the desires of others to gain something from us.

What catches our eye at the store counter where they have magazines lined up for us to buy? They target the most likely influences for their sale. If it is a food magazine, it is a picture of an appetizing meal. What makes that the picture of choice? Statistical probability.

Scandal rags place the celebrity of the week with defaming words. Who is their target? Those who judge quickly and love to gossip.

Diet books strike at the core of our deep seated insecurities. Glamour magazines do the same thing as fitness magazines, and it is all about statistics and how to sell their product. Is the devil behind that?

The issue here is thought control and how to avoid being used and abused. We are people who think and we have a past that cannot be undone. We must come to a point where our past no longer defines our thinking process.

Romans 14:1 ESV As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

We all have opinions and some rationale for why we hold those opinions. It is not a subject for debate. So what does our opinion do to others? Do we become healthy encouragers or a distraction from what really matters?

That is Satan’s influence at work, distracting us from truth and that keeps us from having that abundant life in Christ.