Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-29
HABIT IN THINKING.
Train Your Mind "to Think the
Thoughts OF God After Him.
Use Persistent Effort

1t is common to speak of good and
bad habits, and to urge the formation
of correct habits in youth, referring
usually to the outward life; but do we
give the definite attention which we
should to the habits of the inner life,
our thought world?
For instance, indulgence in criticism
and fault-finding forms n mental habit;
the mind by constant practice grows
sSillful in manufacturing blame, in
stead of naturally seeing the extenuat-
ing circumstances first, and finding ex-
cuses with which TO cover another's
mistakes.
So it is with worry, apprehension,
fear, and any other morbid line of
thought.
Words being spoken thoughts, our
conversation thereby pictures to q
largo extent the character of our inner
life The Scripture says: by your
words We shall be justified, and by your
words we shall be condemned"
''If n man offend not in word, the
same is a perfect man, and able to
bride the whole body"
If our words do not satisfy our idea,
II we do not wish our future condition,
TO correspond to the sum total of them,
let us look TO it that the meditations Of
our hearts are acceptable in the sight
of the Lord. for "out of the abundance
of the heart the mouth speaketh."
Habits of right thinking can be Guilt
waited. The feelings should not be con-
suited in reference to this training. BY
a persistent effort Of the will the
thoughts can be directed and held to
what is wholesome.
We can train our minds Ito think the
thoughts of God after Him." and our
feelings will in time take their inn
press from the mold of our thoughts.
Whatsoever things are true, what
soever things are honorable, whatsO-
ever things are just, whatsoever things
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
If there be any virtue and if there be
any praise, think on these things"
Until our attention is arrested, few of
us have any conception Of how many
thoughts Of anxiety, fear, discourage
ment, annoyance, criticism, vanity,
pride and discomfort occupy our
minds more or less intensely.
Could we read list of the thoughts
of an average day. we should doubtless
be amazed, if not shocked.
Below this debris upon the surface Of
the mind flows a love of all that is beau
tiful and good and true, and life will
manifest a richness in these qualities if
we faithfully train ourselves to recog-
nize them as part of our spiritual ma
ture. Aside from the words of Christ
which composed the message of His
public ministry, we have many which
throw light upon the habitual condi-
lion OF His mind and thought.
He spoke much of the gift of life,
abundant, eternal He said: ''Afy
words that 1 speak unto you, they are
spirit and they are life. If We love me
We will keep my commandments. For
this is the love of God, that we keep his
commandments" Whatever is begot-
ten of God Overcometh the world, and
this is the victory, even our faith, that
perfect love which casteth out fear and
leaves the soul TO repose in the peace
of God which passeth all understand
ing, (which shall guard your hearts
and your thoughts in Christ jesus
/ Christian Work.