One young soldier for Christ said, "I just seem to go negative in my thought life so much of the time. Does that happen to you? Do you have any counsel?"

I answered, "For sure I have to battle negative thoughts." Then I decided to give him an answer-a wrong answer-so he would not forget the right answer. "Just discipline yourself to say 'I am not going to think on this negative thought!'" Then I quickly added, "If you take that answer, you will never win the war against negative thinking."

Now we were ready for God's recipe for a biblical mind-set of positive and godly thoughts.

Interestingly, the Scriptures do not tell us not to think negative thoughts. Just try to concentrate on not thinking that negative thought and you're still thinking it. Instead, God's Word tells us to fill our mind with His thoughts. In other words, it is not what we are not to think on, but what we are to think on.

Philippians 4:8 is such a positive concept-and it works! "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." There it is. The simple way to test your thoughts by using this verse as a guide.

So now my young friend knows what to do. He is daily searching the Scriptures to know what God thinks, what God loves, what God hates. "Lord Jesus, this lustful thought for a girl is not from you. I reject it and focus on You. You said, 'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.' My choice is You, Lord. Wow! You are captivating my mind, Lord Jesus. You are my answer-my freedom-from all tormenting negativity."