Guarding the Gate of Your Mind

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, 

That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; 

And whatever he does shall prosper;

 – Psalm 1:2-3 (NKJV) 

Every outcome in life begins with a thought, and every thought follows a pattern. By understanding this process, we can take charge of our thinking and, ultimately, our living. 

God provides us with a blueprint in Psalm 1. It describes the blessed man as someone who delights in God’s Word and meditates on it day and night. This thinking pattern leads to prosperity, stability, and fruitfulness. 

Four Stages of Thinking That Shape Our Lives 

1. Implantation – The Thought Enters 

Every thought begins as a seed—a suggestion. It can stem from the Word of God or the enemy. What you expose yourself to determines what gets planted in your mind. 

In Genesis 3:4-5 (NKJV), the serpent planted a suggestion in Eve’s mind. That simple question altered her perception of God. Implantation is powerful. If you don’t guard your ears and eyes, you risk allowing seeds to take root, growing into thoughts, feelings, and actions. 

What are you allowing in? What suggestions are shaping your beliefs?

2. Contemplation – The Thought is Meditated On 

Once a thought is implanted, the next step is to think deeply about it. This is what Scripture refers to as meditation. Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) states, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” What you consistently think about, you begin to believe. Meditation is how we water the seed. 

3. Production – The Thought Becomes Action 

Thoughts lead to decisions, and decisions lead to actions. As the planted seed grows through meditation, it begins to bear fruit—this is when you start to act on what you’ve been thinking. Matthew 7:16 reminds us, “You will know them by their fruits.” Those feelings of bitterness, envy, or lust? They all started as thoughts. 

What fruits are visible in your life today? What root thoughts are they growing from? 

4. Automation – The Thought Becomes a Habit 

This is the most dangerous stage. At this point, you’re no longer thinking—you’re reacting. It has become automatic. Even the Apostle Paul faced this struggle: 

Romans 7:19-20 (NKJV) says, “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” 

Here, your mind has formed habitual pathways—like trees with strong roots in your brain. Science refers to these as dendrites; the longer you dwell on a thought, the stronger it becomes. 

Right thinking leads to right living. Guard your mind, for your life moves in the direction of your most dominant thoughts. 

Song of Worship

Guard Your Heart

 Song by Steve Green 

Prayer –  Father, I surrender my thought life to You. Help me to recognize every thought that does not align with Your truth. Teach me to delight in Your Word and meditate on it daily. Uproot every tree in my mind that was not planted by You. Let me be like a tree planted by Your rivers, bringing forth good fruit in every season. In Jesus’ name, amen.