eKidz Devotional: All About FreedomSample

Controlling Your Thoughts

Since the Garden of Eden, we have struggled with temptation. Temptation is the act of considering to do something wrong or unwise. 

Temptations urge us to try to take the easy way out of hard situations. Why spend money if you can just steal the video game you want? Why be kind when it’s easier to be mean to someone you don’t agree with? Why tell the truth that you broke the glass when it will get you in trouble? Sin tries to trick you into doing something you know is not right. 

What we think — the thoughts we have — are so IMPORTANT in fighting the temptations we face. Replacing wrong thoughts with right ones will help us resist temptation when we’re facing tough situations.

Let’s take a closer look at Jesus’ time in the wilderness in Matthew 4. Here we find Jesus not in the temple teaching but in the desert where He is tired, alone, and extremely hungry after fasting for 40 days.

During this time, Satan tempts Jesus with food and power — yet Jesus does not give in. He draws the strength to battle these temptations from quoting God’s truth. This helped Him to focus and control His thoughts. Did you know you can do this, too? When you’re tempted, you can turn to Jesus to help you identify wrong thoughts and replace them with right thoughts.   

In today’s episode of “Into The Light,” the StarKeepers and the Shadow Squad found a magical door that wouldn’t let them pass through until they replaced the negative thoughts in their minds with positive thoughts. Check out this audio clip!

Ask yourself: How do you know when you aren’t thinking right thoughts — thoughts that align with what God says? What can you do to replace a wrong thought with a right thought?

Challenge yourself: Freshen up your focus on God to reveal His goodness and holiness in the world — not lies that trick us — and see things the way He does. Think about the things you say, think, and do — what’s one habit you can start that will help you control your thoughts in these areas?

Pray: God, thank You for Your truth and Jesus’ example. Help me to have freedom in my thoughts by turning to Jesus when I need to replace wrong thoughts with right thoughts.