Think Say Do

Many years ago, I wrote the following verse to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know it”:

What you think, say and do is up to you
What you think, say and do is up to you
What you think, say and do
Oh it’s really up to you
What you think, say and do is up to you

This catchy repetitious song was to remind my children, and myself, that we are in charge of what we think, say and do – teaching self-control and moral responsibility.  Basic right?  Well…we at times don’t believe we are in charge or we choose to not be disciplined enough to control our thoughts and actions because it is just too hard or we may even have a flippant attitude that we just don’t care.  

The truth is that every action starts with a thought, and since we have control over what we think, we can choose to think rightly even in the most difficult situations or memories recalled.

“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
Proverbs 25:28

Most of us don’t live in a city with walls around it – but imagine if you did.  The purpose of these walls is to protect you and all the citizens living inside of the city.  But if the walls are broken down, enemies are free to roam the city causing havoc and even taking hostages.

“Enemies” can roam in our mind if we don’t practice self-control.  What “opponents” roam your mind?  

An undisciplined mind lacking self-control will inevitably affect our actions.  How are your actions affected when you allow your “foes” to roam?

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7 

God has given us the power to have control over our thoughts and thus our actions.  The imagery of a wall around our mind protected by the Holy Spirit encourages us to practice self-control even when it is too hard or we don’t care. 

A random thought may come to your mind or a situation may remind you of something troubling, but even those thoughts can be reigned in through Holy Spirit self-control.  

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 8:6 

Every time an “enemy” comes into your mind, remember the imagery of a city with broken down walls. Those broken down walls will lead to a fearful mind, but you are in charge of dwelling on what you’re thinking. If a thought causes anxiety, choose to allow the Holy Spirit to govern your mind instead and as a result you will experience God’s peace (Philippians 4:6-9).

Jesus Christ, your Prince of Peace, came to give you life abundantly (John 10:10).  Jesus has given you the Holy Spirit to keep your mind’s city walls up to help you walk in self-controlled thinking which leads to self-controlled actions.  No “foe” can roam in a self-control mind.  

Remember – what you think, say and do is up to you.