Part 5: Be Careful Little Mind | FUN Ways to Teach Your Children to Guard Their Minds
Be Careful Little Mind
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul wrote that the battle for salvation was not against flesh and blood. Meaning the forces against them were not just the brothers and sisters, or the gallows and guillotine but the unseen. Nevertheless they could succeed in that battle only in God, for He is the mighty one that can bring our minds into subjection. Only He can hold captive our desires so they do not stray from his plan. Only He can bring about obedience not only in action but in our thoughts.
WOW! My very thoughts can always be in obedience to God. No longer will I be plagued with feelings of guilt, self doubt, desiring my own self confidence rather than confidence in God, self loathing, rage, vengeance, jealousy or envy. Instead my very thoughts will stem from God. Is this really possible? Have I ever met anyone who reflects that? Do I reflect that?
Notice the intentional action in the above verse. We must be intentional about bringing EVERY thought, not just some or most. EVERY thought is brought into the attentive care and keeping of God. So then should we be mindful of what we see, hear, say, do and go. My eyes, ears, mouth, hands and feet are to all be engaged in this business of witnessing because they will be the source to the things that I think about and the things that fuel my thoughts will manifest themselves in what I do.
We are to teach our children about God, about who he is, what he has done for us and what he desires of us so that anything that contradicts his will, contradicts obedience in him will be rejected and cast down. Taking care of what goes into the mind of the child will take care of what they choose to look at, what they choose to listen to, what they choose to say, what they choose to do and where they choose to go. Their little eyes, ears, mouth, hands and feet will indeed be careful. For they will want to please the Father up above, knowing he looks down on them in tender love.
Here are some ways to help your children guard their minds from sinful thoughts.
Confess and repent of sins. Teach children that when they are guilty of mental sins, repent and ask forgiveness. Let your child know that it is not good to downplay the sinfulness of evil thoughts. Here's a FUN Bible object lesson activity that demonstrates how Jesus cleanses our bad thoughts when we repent.
Do not dwell on sinful thoughts. Explain to your children that we control our thoughts and we should not let our minds dwell on sinful images or ideas. Give examples, like not reading books, looking at images, or listening to music that generate sinful thoughts. Talk about good alternatives to the bad things you mention.
Focus on the right kind of thoughts. Soak your child's mind with true, valuable, honorable, and pure information and entertainment. Make sure the things that go into their minds are good and godly. Bible stories, Bible activities, scripture reading and Bible songs are some FUN ways to add godly influence to your children's thoughts.
Feed on the Word. Explain to your children that Word strengthens and protects our mind. It also reveals our sins and shows us the right way to go. Remind the children how Jesus used scripture to resist being tempted. Take time to regularly read and memorize Bible verses. Download our ABC Bible Scripture Cards for some simple Bible verses for kids.
Sin always starts in the mind so we must train our minds to think of those thing that are good, acceptable and pleasing to God.
How do you teach your children to walk guard their minds?
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Check out the other posts and FREE resources in the Oh Be Careful Series:
Part 5: Be Careful Little Mind
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