I was watching a movie on a Christian TV station the other night, and suddenly, one of the characters sustained a severe injury. One look at her gaping wound was enough to cause me to immediately change the channel. Unfortunately, the gruesome images in my mind still remained, and as I prayed for the Lord's help, He reminded me of a powerful teaching that I heard not too long ago that applied to my situation.

When we begin to think on things that are not good for our health or well-being, we can immediately "change the channel" mentally, and "fix [our] thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable," as well as "things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8 NLT) You and I are not at the mercy of our thought life. Because the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we have the power to reject thoughts and images that don't honor or glorify God, and that have the potential to do us harm.

Scripture tells us: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV) When we are bombarded by unclean and unholy "imaginations" and images, we can cast them down - rejecting them - and replace them with thoughts that are good and wholesome. In this way, we are "changing the channel" in our minds, and taking our thoughts captive in order to obey Christ.

The Bible says that what we watch and listen to can affect us for good or for evil. Proverbs 4:23 (AMP) reads: "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life." When we expose ourselves to movies, TV programs, music, magazines, and media filled with sex, violence, or profanity, we are feeding on trash and ministering death to ourselves. We are literally polluting and poisoning our own "springs of life," and harming our spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health. And we are partnering with Satan and his dark forces to create demonic strongholds in our minds and hearts.

God has equipped His children with everything they need to succeed in this life, and that includes a healthy heart and mind. Let's be quick to "change the channel" mentally and literally whenever ungodly "imaginations" come our way!

Prayer: Lord, I want to please You with my thoughts, words, and deeds. Give me the strength and the wisdom I need to avoid every kind of media and material that would poison and pollute my mind and heart. Teach me how to cast down imaginations that are not pleasing to You. Help me to cooperate with Your Spirit to live a holy, healthy, and happy life. Thank You that as I guard my heart above all else, You will enable me to fulfill my God-given purpose and potential!