A Good Brainwashing

I read a strange story awhile ago about a large python that ate a family’s dog. Interestingly, a local zoo owner who came to pick up the snake told a reporter that it had been stalking the dog for days.

“The family that owned the dog had actually seen it in the dog’s bed,” he said, “which was a sign it was out to get it.”

That would have been the first clue: “Wow, look at that large python in our dog’s bed! This could pose a problem down the road.”

However, we can be the same way with the Devil. He will essentially plop himself into our beds, so to speak, and we pay no attention to him. We think, “Oh, he won’t be back. I can handle this.” We underestimate his power and allow our minds to be open to things that actually can hurt us.

The Bible tells us, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NLT).

In other words, we need a good brainwashing. I’m not speaking of the traditional meaning of the word where we’re not able to think for ourselves. Rather, I’m talking about cleaning out all the junk that fills our minds and then replacing it with godly information.

The Apostle Paul wrote to Christians in Philippi, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8 NLT).

We need to guard our minds. What are you filling your mind with today?