In our study of suffering we are now looking at the various categories of testing that is the source of suffering. When we stopped last time we were looking at thought testing and the principle that the real you is the thought content of your soul.
This principle is shown in Prov 23:7; "As he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, `Eat and drink,' but in his thinking he is not with you."
This verse uses hypocrisy as an illustration of the fact that we are what we think, not what we do and not necessarily what we say.
A thought can make or break you, depending on the nature of the thought. It's either thinking derived from the truth of metabolized doctrine or thinking derived from the lies and propaganda of Satan.
Thought based on the truth is freedom John 8:32; thought based on the lie is slavery.
Gal 5:1;
Mental attitude is the function of thought in your own soul, not what someone else thinks. So as a person, your ability to cope with life, your happiness in life, and your attractiveness in life is based upon what you think.
Volition, the first law of Divine establishment requires that you to live your own life. You can't borrow the thoughts of others; you have to do your own thinking, make your own decisions, and handle your own problems.
Since our thinking is such a crucial issue, there are mandates throughout the Bible with regard to thought testing.
Rom 12:2; "Stop being conformed to this world (age), but be transformed by the renovation of your thought, that you may prove what the will of God is, namely, the good (spiritual self-esteem), the well-pleasing (spiritual autonomy), the complete (spiritual maturity)."