How to kill negative thoughts? How can I overcome negative thinking?

Chronic negative thinking, depression, anxiety, and similar disorders are on the rise all over the world. 

When a Christian’s thinking is primarily negative, anxious, or doubtful, it’s a sign of a serious lack of faith. 

Those who struggle with negative thinking should do the same thing they would do with any other sin—confess it (agree with God that negative thinking is wrong because it reveals a lack of trust) and make every effort to change the behavior.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are  noble, whatever things are  just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are  lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there  is any virtue and if there  is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8

“Meditate/Think on these things”– our mind, our thoughts are exceedingly important in the spiritual life. To a large extent they will determine our actions. 

• Believers should have minds made new – Rom 12:2. 

• They should set their thoughts on heavenly things – Col 3:2. 

• They should keep their thoughts on the things of God’s Word. 

• Sinful things, worldly things, evil things are attractive to the sinful nature in us – Gal 5:16-17. 

If we let our thoughts dwell on such things we may be overcome with the desire for them. If our thoughts are always on true, pure, and excellent things we will be better able to reject and subdue sinful desires. 

So we should be very careful what we read, what things we watch, what kind of music we listen to, where we allow our imaginations to take us. If we fill our minds with things unworthy for believers in Christ we may soon be living lives unworthy of Christ.

• Prayer is a key part of overcoming negativity. Jesus taught that prayer should include praise to the Father and a focus on His holiness (Matthew 6:9; see also Psalm 95:2). As we pray “with thanksgiving” (Philippians 4:6), we focus on the blessings we have received and leave no room for negative thoughts. The Holy Spirit will be faithful to help the repentant believer overcome negative thinking (Matthew 7:7–11).

• Daily Bible reading, particularly studies that focus on the promises of God, are of great help in overcoming negative thinking. It’s helpful to remember that, no matter how dismal the present circumstances, Christians have been promised God’s love and victory in Christ (Romans 8:37–39; 2 Corinthians 2:14).

Christians must think about what they’re thinking about and not allow their minds to have free rein. In our spiritual warfare, we’ve been given the helmet of salvation—spiritual armor for the mind.

Is God's promises lasts forever? Covenant vs Promise.

The Psalm chp. 105 reveals God’s sovereignty over both the history of Israel and the acts of sinful men. Notice carefully how God was involved in ruling over everything – vs 14,16,17,24,25,26, etc. He was continually at work to fulfill His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – vs 8-10. 

We might say this is the psalm concerning God’s covenant with Abraham, just as Psalm 89 is the psalm of His covenant with David. Like Psalms 78 and 106, this one deals with history. 

Ps 78 was given chiefly for the purpose of teaching and exhortation. Ps 106 is a confession of Israel’s many sins. 

But this psalm rejoices in the mighty acts of the LORD God and there is no mention at all of the sin of Israel. The first 15 verses are found in 1 Chron 16:8-22. From that reference we may judge that David wrote it.

All God did is what He did to fulfill His covenant and promises. To do that (fulfill promise) God would be willing to move heaven and earth.

In the introduction (vs 1-7) David sets forth seven duties or privileges of God’s people –

1) Giving thanks,

2) Praying,

3) Making known God’s deeds,

4) Singing to God or about God,

5) Glorying in Him,

6) Seeking Him, And 

7) Remembering His wonderful works and words.

Following these instructions will result in a healthy spiritual life in any believer.

Covenant vs Promise:

But I will establish My covenant with you.

Gen. 6:18

In this verse the first use in the Bible of the word “covenant” occurs. It is a very important word, used nearly 300 times. 

The Hebrew word (Covenant) means an agreement between two or more parties (21:27; 26:28; 2 Sam 3:12-13), whereas a Promise given by one party to another (Gen 9:8-11). 

Sometimes there were conditions laid down, sometimes not. There was often some sign given and a sacrifice offered in connection with the establishment of a covenant.

God made very important covenants with men on several occasions –

1) with Noah and all mankind (9:8-17);

2) with Abraham and his descendants (15:18-21);

3) with the nation Israel (Ex 19:5);

4) with David and his offspring (2 Sam 7:16); and 

5) The New Covenant (Matt 26:27-29).

Old Testament vs New Testament:

The first part of the Bible is called the Old Testament (or Covenant) because it has to do for the most part with God’s covenant made with Israel at Sinai (Ex 19:5). 

The second part of the Bible is called the New Testament (or Covenant) because it has to do with the covenant Christ made with His disciples just before His crucifixion.

“I am the vine, you are the branches." John 15:5

I think Jesus here talking about or mentioning the Israelites as Israelites was God’s unfaithful vine. But Jesus is the true and faithful vine and the Father is the vinedresser.

Here is a parable regarding the nation of Israel as a whole and the tribe of Judah in particular. (See Isa. 5:1-7). Those who thought of themselves as God’s people are called a vineyard.

First, both the fruitless branch and the fruitful branch refer to true believers. The phrase every branch in Me, which refers to genuine believers. Elsewhere in the NT, nonbelievers are never said to be “in Me (Christ)” in any sense. 

The verb translated takes away can just as easily be translated “lifts up,” denoting the Vinedresser’s action in stimulating growth in a fruitless branch (God helping a fruitless believer to produce fruit). 

In the viticulture of Israel, late fall was the season for removing dead branches (v. 6). The springtime (the time of the upper room message and Jesus’ death) was the season to “lift up” fruitless branches from the ground to encourage productivity. The fruitful branch (i.e., a fruitful believer) receives pruning (divine discipline) so that it might be even more fruitful.

HE is speaking of what happens to literal branches cut from a vine. He does not say that some believers may not remain in Him and that if they do not, they will be burned in the fires of hell. That will be the fate of unbelievers, like Judas Iscariot, but not of believers. 

If any believer fears it might happen to him let him be sure to take hold of all the truth Christ taught and remain in Him. Then he will certainly not fall away.