Recently, I have been going through a detox process to remove various infections from my body. This process includes everything from medication to sitting in a sauna. The goal is to remove the infections and replenish my body with good nutrients. The mind is the greatest battlefield of the Christian life. Everything begins in the mind. How we think determines how we live. We live in a world filled with a lot of ungodly filth. Therefore, we must regularly detox our minds so that we may live in a God-honoring way and experience God’s best for us.
So, how do we detox the mind? Allow me to share with you three simple steps. First, avoid feeding on the wrong stuff. When detoxing your body from infections, it is important that you avoid putting in you, things that are harmful. You need to avoid sugar and other inflammatory foods. When detoxing the mind, you must avoid feeding on things that would lead you to sin. Evaluate the movies you watch and the music your listen to. Consider the things you read and hear. Is what you’re putting in your mind full of worldliness, sin, and negativity? These things are very harmful. What you put into your mind comes out in your behavior. Therefore, avoid feeding on the wrong stuff.
Second, feed on the right stuff. As we remove toxins and infections from your body, you must replace it with good nutrients and vitamins. When it comes to the mind, we must replace the bad stuff with that which is good and wholesome and honoring to the Lord. Romans 12:2 tells us that we are to ‘renew our minds.’ We do this by feeding on the Word of God. For about a month or so, I had been in a position where I could not function very well physically. Since I could not do much, I spent all day, every day, doing nothing but listening to the Bible, listening to sermons, and praying. I have been amazed at how much it changed my mind. I still may have a random sinful thought pop up, but overall, my thoughts have been clean and focused on the things of God. It’s amazing how you can be transformed when you get the right stuff in you.
Finally, trust the process. During this season of physical healing, I have often questioned the doctors about how it all works and if it will work at all. The doctors remind me that I am on the right course and just trust it. Coach Nick Saban is known for the ‘process.’ He talks about the need to focus on one play at a time and never look at the score board. When it comes to detoxing the mind, you must trust the process. Don’t look ahead. Don’t look at the scoreboard or the end result. Those things are in the hands of God. Focus on the moment. Feed on the right stuff right now. Avoid feeding on the wrong stuff right now. Moment by moment, day by day, renew your mind through the Word of God. Never look back and don’t worry about the future. Trust the process.
Our minds are naturally corrupt by our sin nature. Therefore, detoxing the mind is a life-long process. Trust that process and stick with it. Do what it is necessary to keep your mind pure. For as goes your mind, so goes your behavior. Having a renewed mind will lead to that which is the “good and acceptable will of God.” Experiencing God’s best for your life begins with renewing of your mind. Keep your mind in check and experience God’s best.
