“For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he…” ~PROVERBS 23:7a 

You’ve probably heard that verse before, maybe pondered its truth a time or two, or maybe this is your very first time encountering it. Either way, the truth of it remains; how a person thinks that is what they are or will become.

The thing is what we think is contingent upon many factors and most, dare I say all, are choice-based.

What we think is a result of what we:

• Hear
• Read
• Watch
• Speak

As Creatives in Christ, commissioned for a designated mission to advance the Kingdom and to live the abundant life He died for us to have, we have to guard our hearts by censoring what we read, watch, and hear.

Some may be turned off by the word ‘censor,’ but hear me out. How many of us have read articles about some sickness or symptom but then suddenly began to feel them in our bodies? How many of us have watched and thusly, heard a television ad or show that speaks about some condition that also provoked phantom symptoms?

No need to raise your hands, nor feel condemned. I am simply making a point. What we allow to enter our minds and hearts, especially unchecked has an effect on how we live and thusly what we produce.

FAITH COMES BY HEARING

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” ~ROMANS 10:17

What you hear, what you allow to be planted in your heart by your ear-gate will ultimately dictate what you put your faith in or rather how you use your faith.

In your quest to conquer your creative calling, vision, and dream, if you are putting the Word of God before and behind you that you are more than a conqueror (ROM. 8:37), that the victory is yours (I COR. 15:57) that He gives you the power to get wealth (DEUT. 8:18) that you are destined to reign (ROM. 5:17), what do you think your faith will look like and thusly produce?

If your mind is being renewed by the Truth, then your heart is being fed the truth and your life will produce the fruit of truth!

This is why Joshua was instructed by God to meditate on His Word day and night (JOSHUA 1:8). This is what the Children of Israel were told to HEAR that the Lord is One (DEUT. 6:4-5).

What you hear is what you believe, what you believe is what you become. What you become determines what you produce.

WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING YOUR HEART

When athletes get ready for a competition, be it a marathon, a game, even training, many of them speak about having a playlist of songs that they listen to to get them in the right mindset to conquer their goal.

They are particular about what they allow themselves to hear before and during their task.

We, as Creatives in Christ, have to take the same initiative in being picky eaters and being choosy about what we allow to be a part of our listening diet.

Listen to teachers of the Word that speak the gospel. Listen to music that builds your faith. Listen to coaches that speak from places of integrity and truth.

Guard your heart and your ears and digest the ‘meat’ that will get you to the next level of faith and vision.

~Dream. Imagine. Believe. Do. CONQUER!

 

Candice Coates is an author, blogger, and contributor to Ambo TV.  This article originally appeared on her website www.icameforthesoup.com.