It seems to me that the last stronghold for most Christians is the mind. I didn't have a lot of trouble "giving up my worldly ways." In fact, my sinful habits were the first to go. My speech improved almost immediately too. God continues to teach me every day the way He would have me treat others. I can't say there isn't room for improvement, but I have come a mighty long way, with the help of the precious Holy Spirit. Curbing my tongue is taking a little longer, but I am happy to say I am making definite progress!

My mind is a different story. It thinks what it will, and I can do little to stop it. I am learning to send unwanted thoughts packing, but I can't keep them from popping up in the first place!

Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." How can we be transformed? How can our minds be renewed?

 Someone has said that Phillipians 4:8 is a brief biography of Jesus: "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." (Phil 4:8 NIV) This list of "things to think about" describes Jesus! So if we just think about Him, our minds will be filled with true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy thoughts!

We may not be able to keep wrong thoughts from intruding into our minds at times, but we can displace them with thoughts of Jesus, who is altogether lovely. If we keep practicing His presence in our daily lives, it could become a habit!

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3