I like to listen to things that build me up spiritually. Often when I catch even a few minutes of a Bible-teaching program, I hear something that speaks to me. It’s just what I needed to hear at that moment. Philippians 4:8 tells us, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Writing about the Christian’s spiritual armor, the apostle Paul said, “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 NLT). The helmet covers the head, and in spiritual battle we want to protect our minds. The mind is command central, and most temptation comes in the realm of our thoughts. Satan recognizes the value of gaining a foothold in our thoughts and imaginations because this prepares the way for thoughts to become actions. As the adage says, “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” It starts with a thought. Sin isn’t merely a matter of actions and deeds. It is something within the heart and mind that ultimately leads to action. Sin deceives us into believing that because we haven’t committed the actual act, we are okay. The Bible tells us to “think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (Colossians 3:2 NLT). There’s a benefit to constantly filling our minds with the things of God. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (NLT). The only way to protect ourselves against ungodly influences is to fill our minds with the things of God. | 
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