Wild Thoughts? 

/wīld/ 

By Carmen Williams

The Digital Age. 

Unrestrained. Untamed. Lacking discipline or domestication. 

This is not the only definition of the term “wild”, but it is the most appropriate for the moment. 

Before I jump right in, I will fully disclaim that this article is not meant to demonize anyone, but rather shed light on the machinations of our thoughts and their direct opposition to our Christian walk. 

Now, social media. 

First of all, what an absolute GIANT the virtual world has become. From us having virtual conversations with practically anyone ANYWHERE in the world, to owning virtual stock, possessions, and even creating virtual realities and living virtual lives! This has been the age of a virtual boom- and social media has been a direct benefactor of it. Instagram, Tiktok, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Zoom- just to name a few, have taken this generation by storm. And to be honest, I have nothing against any of it. In fact, I think in the past few years, it has actually been a huge blessing to many of us.

But any time God is blessing, the Devil is scheming. Because aside from all those virtual outlets, other things have taken this generation by storm too- depression, suicide, self-defeat, vanity, jealousy, strife, dangerous habits, and evil works- just to name a few.

And although I have come to appreciate the utility of virtual technology, I have also come to grieve how the devil has been able to manipulate it and use it to hurt God’s people. 

Wild, Right? 

Do you ever notice yourself just randomly daydreaming? Maybe you’re consumed with thoughts of a person or a situation, or maybe you’re just bored LOL. But isn’t it SO distracting? I’m guilty! Sometimes, I’ll just have a random thought pop up. I can be daydreaming about a guy one second, thinking about what I want to eat the next, pondering how much I’ve spent on fast-food this week, all while getting ready to go to the gym, and still planning the errands I’ll have to run afterwards. My mind never stops! 

Now, take all of your regular random thoughts, and add all that which you see on television, instagram, TikTok, or YouTube! It literally add so much to my already heavy mental load! However, if I see something inspirational, it’s really helpful. But on the flip-side, if I see something disrespectful, derogatory, lustful, suggestive, or anything that goes against the mind of God, it’s harmful! And as humans, we tend to hold to the harmful stuff a lot longer and stronger than we should (it’s a mystery!). 

And the devil knows that if he can manipulate our minds, he can manipulate our actions. When we receive things into our minds, they can become our thoughts. And when we unknowingly begin to meditate on those thoughts, they eventually take root in our hearts. And if they take root in our hearts, they very well could manifest in our actions. 

“Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 

God knew well before this digital age, that we would need to put forth extra effort to guard our hearts! If we are not careful, we can easily fall into the enemy’s trap of self-destruction. Since the devil knows he can’t outrightly destroy God’s children, he will instead try to get us to destroy ourselves or each other. And his best approach is to use the lust of the eye! 

“Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For everything that belongs to the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle — is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God’s will remains forever.”
I John 2:16 

Moreover, the devil knows that his time is short. So he will use any and every thing to destroy God’s people as quickly as he can. He is also no respecter of persons. He will use young and old people alike, male or female, rich or poor. Self-deprecating thoughts are his specialty because all he has to do is convince you that those phony thoughts are true. 

But everyone’s doing it!

Now imagine conforming to a world where everyone is doing the same thing. From dances, to makeup looks, outfit trends, and even lifestyle choices. If you haven’t settled in your heart who you are and haven’t embraced everything God already placed in you, then you, my friend, are susceptible to the influence of the enemy. And he will influence you by manipulating what comes onto your screen. He’ll use what is posted in your “explore” tab, the commercials you catch on TV, and even your Netflix shuffle choice. Girl, the devil is trying to create, shape, and manipulate your thought process. DON’T LET HIM! 

I promise I’m not condemning you. I just want you to be conscious of what is entering your psyche. 

Control: ON. 

Okay, now here’s the good part. We’ve talked enough about the devil. Now, JESUS. So maybe you, or someone you know, has become a victim of perpetual negative self-talk, low self-esteem, depression, and all the things Jesus saved us from. It has kept you (or someone you know) from moving forward, moving back, or even side to side. You are STUCK. Or maybe you’ve found yourself daydreaming of how you wish your life was. You see all the couples on TikTok doing cute partner dances, or you see the beautiful instagram models whose hair has never seen a bad day and whose body fat is 0.87%. “ThEy r So LuCkY!” you think. 

Immediately you begin thinking about everything you don’t have. How unfair your life is. How nothing ever goes your way.

But what if I told you, it’s a trap. Most of what you see on any blue screen is only half true (if that). Media folks are only showing you a fraction of their lives. They are not perfect and neither are you. 

Even online bullies. They are social media imposters, showing you only a fraction of their lives.

Enough is enough. Take your control back. God CALLED YOU. He created you. He sanctified you. He ordained YOU. You have a ministry and a people that are waiting for you to take your control back. 

“For though we live in the body, we do not wage war in an unspiritual way, since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ. And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience has been confirmed.”
II Cor. 10:3

Take Aways:

1. Don’t even start: Your thoughts start at the gate. Your gates are your eyes, ear, and senses. Don’t just let any and everything come into your spirit. Take note of what you’re watching and listening to. This is your preventative care. 
2. You THOUGHT!: So you actually see something potentially harmful, change the channel. Redirect your attention to something that will build you up or inspire you. Cut if OFF!
3. Uh-Oh, it’s Starting: These are the thoughts that are now settling in your mind and you keep thinking about them even though you don’t want to. You speak to these thoughts directly. Command them to obey what Christ has said about you and to you!:

• “I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus.”
• “I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me!“
• “I am chosen and set apart; I am apart of a holy nation and peculiar people“
• “I am a friend of God“
• “I am a joint-heir with Christ and my inheritance and salvation are sure”
• “God is my Rock and Sure foundation. I shall never be moved or shaken”

4. Now look at Your Heart. 

• Purge your heart of everything that is killing you. Ask God to help get your heart healthy again. Take a social media fast. Actively try to only allow those good, perfect things of God to enter in (His word, prayer time, Christian podcasts, bible study, etc.) 
• Forgive people. Reconcile with people. That may be the thing keeping you from being free in your thoughts.
• Be honest with yourself. Freedom may not happen overnight, but it will happen when you decide you want to be free. When I brought every depressing, embarrassing, self-destructive ideology, and harmful thought I believed about myself to God, He started the work of redemption and re-creation in my heart. But it wasn’t until I wholly decided that I needed God to change how I saw myself and the world around me. And now my heart is FIXED because I have seen the salvation of my God at work in my life and I have freedom in my mind, body, and soul.