As We Think, So Are We
Our Mind Acts According to our Belief, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."(Proverbs 23:7)
A Story of Bart and Carl:
Bart was in prison awaiting the end of his life by the use of an electric chair because of a crime he had previously committed. He was understandably scared of facing a very painful death.
Carl was a doctor at that prison with an idea - a theory that he was hoping to prove. So, He approached Bart with proposal of a way to die without the pain of the electric chair. It was rather simple. He told Bart that they would just slit his wrist and let his blood drain out until Bart died. He was glad to except this more-humane way to die.
When the time came, they covered Bart's head so he could not see what was happening. Then Carl made just a shallow cut on his wrist - enough to hurt, but without cutting into the large vein that would cause his blood to drain. Then they started a machine that dripped water into a bowl. Hearing this, Bart naturally thought that the dripping sound was his blood draining from his body. As a result, his mind started shutting down his bodily functions, gradually leading to Bart's death.
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."(Proverbs 23:7)
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A Story of Healing Due to Positive Thoughts of Faith
A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.
She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.
Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” ... Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” (Mark 5:25-34)
For as she thinketh in her heart, so is she.(Proverbs 23:7)
A Person's Inner Thoughts Reveal Their True Character
- Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
- Romans 5:3-4 We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'
- Romans 1:20-21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
- Galatians 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
- Mind and "Spirit" connection => https://sidnash.org/docs/SpiritDefined.html
- Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
The Bible encourages believers to guard their thoughts, renew their minds, and align their inner world with spiritual principles.
A Harsh versus Kind Spirit
Mike and Sheila -- harsh spirit
Mike and Sheila had been married for many years and had much love for each other, with good intentions and memories of fun times together. However, neither one did well at developing a character of love, forbearance and kindness, as spoken of in Gal5:22-23. So, not far under the surface lay unresolved frustrations that occasionally raised it's ugly "head" to argue and criticize each other.
As they grew old, their health was not as good as it once was. Mike's health was worse and probably had very few years left to live, when an argument erupted. Sheila wanted to bring Kate, a member of her family of origin and a retired nurse, into their home to help them both. But Mike hated Kate and would not allow her into their home. It was then that Sheila, with very harsh words, left Mike and threatened to never return.
This was devastating for Mike. He began having nightmares. His love for his wife was strong and he couldn't bear the thought of losing her. He was losing his will to live. Three days later, he died of a broken heart.
For as she/he thinketh in her/his heart, so is she/he .(Proverbs 23:7)
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Ruth and Naomi -- kind spirit
Ruth's extraordinary kindness transformed not just one life, but an entire family's future. The story comes from the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament.
The Context:
- Naomi, an older woman, had lost her husband and both sons in a foreign land
- She was bitter, broken, and believed she had nothing left to live for
- She told her daughters-in-law to return to their own people, expecting to die alone
Ruth responded with an incredible pledge of unconditional love and support:
- She refused to leave Naomi alone
- Committed herself to care for Naomi completely
- Spoke words of profound loyalty: "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." (Ruth 1:16)
The Healing Journey:
- Ruth worked tirelessly to provide for Naomi
- She gleaned in fields to ensure they had food
- Her kindness attracted the attention of Boaz, a wealthy landowner
- Eventually, Ruth married Boaz and became the great-grandmother of King David
Transformation:
- Naomi, who once said to call her "Mara" (meaning bitter), found joy again
- The community recognized Ruth's exceptional character
- Her kindness restored life and hope to an entire family
Spiritual Insights
- Kindness is a powerful healing force
- Love can overcome bitterness
- Compassion has the power to restore what seems lost
Harshness vs. Kindness Conclusion
This story powerfully contrasts with Mike and Sheila's narrative. Where harsh words and unresolved frustrations led to brokenness, Ruth's kindness brought complete restoration. It demonstrates how a spirit of love, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, can literally transform lives.
The key difference is the approach to relationship:
- Mike and Sheila: Allowed unresolved frustrations to create distance
- Ruth: Chose radical kindness, loyalty, and sacrificial love
Healing begins with the spirit we choose to cultivate - whether that's a spirit of harsh criticism or a spirit of kind compassionate care.
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Desiring to live by every word that comes from the mouth of Jehovah (Deut8:3; Matt4:4)
-Sid Nash: 01/09/2026. Latest version: