Phil 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Jesus, make it clear to me that what I allow myself to think makes all the difference in the world. If I think bad, negative, sinful, unbelieving, or selfish thoughts, I am filling my heart and life with hurtful and damaging principles.

Jesus, help me understand this very important set of principles: My heart believes me when I ponder things that I shouldn’t. It doesn’t have the ability to doubt me, evaluate me, or judge me. Once I get it set up with those things I spend my time thinking about the most, it enforces those principles with powerful feelings that are no longer under my control.

Jesus, teach me what is always true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, AND praiseworthy. Show me that the principles I find in the Bible fall into this category! Lead me into a safe and secure life that is a blessing, healing, exciting, and joy filled life because it only contains those things listed in Philippians 4:8. Help me allow You to teach and empower me to only think Philippians 4:8 things so my thoughts will direct me in making decisions, setting goals, and laying out plans that fulfill this criteria.

Rom 1:28 (NIV) Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the KNOWLEDGE of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. Jesus, empower and train me in how to retain the knowledge of God. Empower me to give my mind over to those types of thoughts found in Philippians 4:8. But, help me see that those who choose not to retain the knowledge of God, He allows to go on down the path into the alternative lifestyle they want. He gives them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

Jesus, help me believe that, if my mind is allowed to just think anything it wants, the “natural” path it gravitates toward is: Romans 1:29-31 (NIV) They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Show me that a person doesn’t start out fulfilling this list. My mind would start with the “not so bad ones” and gradually add additional ones as time went on.

Jesus, show me that the previous statement: “if your mind is allowed to just think anything it wants, the “natural” path it gravitates toward is:” has a wonderful gift from God that is pushing me away from the type of thought life He turns evil people over to. I have a conscience; and, it is my contact with God.

Jesus, teach me that the Bible calls the third person in the trinity, the Holy Spirit. Help me understand that He came after You went back to heaven. He is doing His ministry here in a similar way You did when You were here. John 16:8 (NIV) When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. Teach me that the way He makes me feel guilty is to influence my conscience.

Jesus, teach me that the Holy Spirit speaking to my conscience is influencing me and trying to keep me from heading down the Romans 1:29-31 path. When I do or say something that God calls sin, the Holy Spirit makes me feel bad about it. When that happens, He is giving me thought-pressure that is pushing me away from Romans 1:29-31 and pushing me toward Philippians 4:8.

Jesus, make it clear to me that I have a God-given free will. I have the God-given right to think whatever I want. Show me that what You are trying to do right now is to help me see the importance of filling my mind with things that will bless me, heal me, and lead me into the wonderful things of God. I am now convinced.

Jesus, let me commit myself to asking You to help me only think on those things that fit the pattern of Philippians 4:8. Let me do this so the more and the longer You help me do that, the more it will change my heart. Rather than feeling negative, depressing, doubting, and worse-case-senario things, it will start sending me Galatians 5:22-23 things. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (NIV). Teach me that the more I allow You to help me dwell on Philippians 4:8 type thoughts, the more my emotions will become loving, joyous, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and under self-control.

Jesus, teach me that Philippians 4:8 is the Biblical principle that other incredible verses are built on. My thoughts are my only way of influencing my heart as far as me controlling it. Help me understand that controlling my heart is important because my heart controls my mouth: Mat 12:34 (NIV) You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil SAY anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. And your mouth steers your behavior of your body: James 3:2 (NIV) We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he SAYS, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.