I have been thinking recently about how important my thoughts are. I don’t have to do wrong to get under blistering conviction and repent. I can lose the fellowship of God and a sense of His presence and a sense of spirituality by just thinking wrong. God has been saying to me, “I dwell in your thoughts. Make your thoughts a sanctuary in which I can dwell. See to it.” You can’t do any- thing with your heart—that is too deep—but you can control your thoughts. So I’ve been trying to make my thoughts right.
When I think of people who dislike me or whom I dislike, I have tried to think cheerfully and chari- tably about them, in order that God could dwell in my thoughts.
God won’t dwell in spiteful thoughts, polluted thoughts, lustful thoughts, covetous thoughts or prideful thoughts. He will only dwell in meek, pure, charitable, clean and loving thoughts. He will dwell in positive thoughts—even aggressive, fighting thoughts, if need be—but they must be pure thoughts, thoughts that are like God’s. God will dwell in them as a sanctuary. Your theology is your foundation. The super- structure is your spiritual experience built on that foundation. But the high bell towers where the carillons are—those are your thoughts. And if you keep those thoughts pure the chimes can be heard ringing out “Holy, Holy, Holy” on the morning air. Make your thoughts a sanctuary God can in- habit, and don’t let any of the rest of your life dis- honor God. See to it that not a foot of ground is unholy. See to it that every hour and every place is given over to God, and you will worship Him and He will accept it.