What Are You Thinking?

Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” And Isaiah 59:2 adds, “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”

What’s the point here? Sin short-circuits the meditation process.

Second, and just as important, is failing to fix any broken relationships. Jesus said in Matthew 5:23–24, “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

It’s interesting to note here what Jesus is saying. If we remember that someone has something against us— even if we’re completely innocent—what are we supposed to do? Do we sit back and say, “Well, that’s their problem, so let them do something about it”? No. The Lord says we’re the ones who must take the initiative.

Matthew 18:15 is another example: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.”

Number three is failing to deal with mental distractions. Satan uses visible, audible, and mental distractions to try to keep us from hearing the voice of God. And number four is allowing an idle mind to be the devil’s workshop. We can be sure that if our mind is idle, 131