“The Banner of Truth”, February, 2011
1. Get accustomed to serious meditation every morning.
Our morning theme of meditation will return as our chief companion for the day.
2. Exercise frequent humiliations.
Men do not easily fall into those sins for which they have been deeply humbled.
3. Avoid entangling yourselves with the world.
If the world once settles in our hearts, we shall never fail to have senseless thoughts torment us.
4. Avoid idleness.
Empty minds are the fittest subjects for extravagant fooleries.
5. Awe your hearts with the thoughts of God’s omniscience.
If a foolish thought breaks in, consider – what if God, who knows this, should presently call me to judgment?
6. Keep a constant watch over your hearts.
We need grace to stand as a sentinel over our thoughts.
7. Examine your thoughts.
Bring every thought to the test of the Word of God.
8. Put a check on thoughts at their first appearance.
As soon as you perceive a thought as base, spit it out with hatred.
9. Use corrupt thoughts as motivation.
Strike some sparks from those past hellish thoughts to kindle your love for God, renew your repentance, to raise your thankfulness, or quicken your obedience. Let your heart praise him who delivered you.
10. Continues your resistance.
Do not lay down your weapons until your sinful thoughts wholly shrink from you.
11. Join supplication with your opposition.
Watch and pray! Our own weakness should make us pray that we may be powerfully assisted.
12. Welcome and entertain holy thoughts.
As for thoughts (breathed in by the Holy Spirit), feed them and keep them alive and brood on them.
13. Encourage holy thoughts to their natural end.
Consider what results are properly encouraged by (Holy thoughts): as the search of some truth or the performance of some duty. Be quick in any duty that the Spirit suggests.
14. Add holy thoughts to your reservoir of morning meditations.
A (thought) of the Spirit’s (choosing) is better than one of our own; let (that) thought run where it leads you.
15. Record the choicest thoughts.
We should preserve the whisperings of what the Spirit has taught us.
16. Turn your choicest thoughts into prayer.
In (God’s) care for us as he darts these beams upon us, let us reflect them back to him in thankfulness for the gift, and in earnest prayer for their continuance and increase.
1 Chronicles 29:18 (ESV) King David's final address to Israel
O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you.
Proverbs 4:23 (Good News Translation)
Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.