Learn to conserve your thought, not waste it

“lf there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

The cause of much poverty of thought lies in thinking too extravagantly. Learn to conserve your thought, not waste it. Exercise your mind, but do not exhaust its energy on insignificant things. Are you studying the Bible? Do not dispel your mental powers on minor difficulties of the text.

When you know the Author himself, it matters little whether you can explain these minor problems or not. Are you concerned with the spiritual life? Do not waste intellectual effort on spiritual problems. These are not solved by thinking, but by the entrance of God’s light.

We must daily train ourselves in regard to our thoughts. Do not imagine that God wishes to eliminate reason, but realize that he only desires to bring our thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ.