Don't cop out - Be disciplined

One of the most remarkable capacities of the human mind is the capacity to direct its own attention to something it chooses. We can pause and say to our minds, “Think about this, and not that.” We can focus our attention on an idea or a picture or a problem or a hope.

It is an amazing power. I doubt that animals have it. They are probably not self-reflective, but rather governed by impulse and instinct.

Have you been neglecting this great weapon in the arsenal of your war against sin? The Bible calls us again and again to use this remarkable gift. Let’s take it out and shine it up and put it to use.

For example, Paul says in Romans 8:5–6, “Those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”

This is stunning. What you set your mind on determines whether the issue is life or death.

John Piper - http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/taste-see-articles/an-amazing-unused-means-of-change

Sometimes I think we let ourselves off too easily. "We're all sinners," we say, "we can never escape it completely, but God forgives."

While this is true, let's not use it as a crutch. God has given us exceptional mental capacity to turn our mind to whatever thoughts we want.  We can choose not to think about so much of the stuff we spend all our time thinking about.  We simply lack discipline.  Well I know I do.  I am looking for ways to create more discipline in my life, especially in my mind.