OPEN FOR BUSINESS

I was having lunch with a good friend the other day.

We were talking about the many ways that we're alike (poor thing – I don't envy any resemblance to some of my foibles…just sayin')

Especially in our thought life.

We talked about how we're always having this "running dialogue" in our heads – (another good friend calls it "the committee in her head") – and we're always analyzing things.

Oooo – some of my old English professors would be so proud. Remember way back in the good old days when they actually taught grammar? C’mon, it ain't that long ago…

Remember how we had to diagram sentences? Draw that line – place the subject on the line, and then put a slash, and then put the predicate (look it up if you don't remember!!). Then, there were all these little *offshoots* for adverbs and adjectives and the like.

Well, that's what I seem to do with my life.

I parse it.

OK, I'll give you a definition for that one (this is the general, not just grammar, definition):

Parse - To examine closely or subject to detailed analysis, especially by breaking up into components; To make sense of; comprehend

Yup, sounds just like what I do.

So, OK, a little self-analysis isn't entirely a bad thing. Other people run through their lives without thinking about anything they do or why they do it. That can be a trap, too!

But, here's the deal.

It's the danger of over-thinking.

Because, you see, I think the enemy is a real pro in that whole Battlefield of the Mind.

He has a lot of good tactics.

Yes, in my case, a full frontal attack is often effective. But not for long. You know why? Because I recognize it for what it is. An attack.

No, he's a (whole) lot more effective in the area of subtle subterfuge. He's very, very sneaky. And that's where he does his best (infernal) work in my life.

I'm always thinking (parsing). And I always think that what I think is coming from me. Does that make sense? My thoughts must be my thoughts because I think them, right?

However, I happen to think that there's a real Scriptural basis for the fact that Satan can wield some influence in our thought life. He can manipulate and twist and hint and turn and suggest thoughts. He can fan the flame of an errant notion, he can encourage a wayward inkling. He can lead an idea down the pathway to sin.

And, all too often, I let him.

Because I'm not on the alert.

When he comes to the door of my mind and knocks, I not only open the door – I very often invite him for a cup of coffee.

Sometimes he even gets a meal.

How ridiculous.

I don't open the real door of my house to many people. Few ever cross the threshold. So why am I so cavalier with my mind? Since when am I a full-service inn?

My friend and I had an interesting discussion about this.

And I determined that I need to be much more suspicious of my own thoughts. I need to be more diligent in what I allow myself to think. I must be aware of and vigilant over the enemy's wily ways.

Because, after all, there's really only one person knocking on my door that I care about. There's only one person that I desire to invite in. Only one person that I really want to move in, and dwell in my mind.

The Lord.

May He help me hold my errant thoughts captive – and stop them at the threshold before they sit down and make themselves at home.

I need to turn that "Open for Business" sign over…

Sorry.

"CLOSED TODAY"

How do you grapple with the errant thoughts in your mind?

Linked today with Joan at the GRACE CAFE

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God"