Hebrews 12:11, English Standard Version

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Recently, I learned a term: discipline our undisciplined mind. How real and needed for us, as we learn the truth, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NIV) How bad is it? “For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” (Matthew 7:21-23, NLT) That's why the Word of God teaches us what we should think of, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8, NIV)

What if we do not take it sincerely, and allow our thoughts to run wild with the desire of our heart? Then you can expect the next unpleasant experience to happen, "But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them." (Matthew 15:18, NIV) God’s truth never lies, and He instructs us that "Good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things." (Matthew 12:35, NIV)

Disciplining our undisciplined mind is part of the beginning of the fountain of Living Water, through which His Word brings sanctification. Just as the Word mentions:

“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither…” (Psalm 1:3, NIV)

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” (John 15:1, NLT)

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4, ESV)

Plant yourself in the Living Word, abide in Him, and with the Father’s work… let the goodness of God transform your heart into His goodness, becoming more like Jesus. If you do this, you will carry the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the love, the joy, the peace…and a sound mind as you live your life. (Galatians 5:22-23)