The Scripture has taught us that one of the ways we should love God is by using our mind. Our mind co-works with the inner life to keep its thoughts under control according to its volitions. We can free the mind from unwanted emotions and thoughts and subject it to the will of God in different ways.

We humans are not only flesh and bones limited by space that is why we can sometimes sense and know in our mind when people have a good or bad disposition toward us. We can know without talking, even without seeing others, whether they respect or despise us. Any negative regard from some people in our lives can cause disappointment or demoralization.

One of the ways such heartbreaking telepathic arrows reach other people is through self-talk. When you curse or insult others through contemplating thoughts—by uttering silent voices in the mind—it can reach people and hurt them. This has considerable effect, especially between people who live in close ties.

Even though our physical body is independent and singular in nature, our inner self is not like that. Instead, it is somehow connected with others around it in a harmonious mystical bond. For example, Christ has told us that we born-again saints are His body members. In a strong local church, the leaders and the members form an automatic spiritual bond. Saints in the church can have their biological family members blessed and visited by God as they serve and bless the church members spiritually. It is common for leaders to feel the burdens of saints beforehand and intercede for them before they are crushed by difficult challenges.

With the same perspective, there are people around us who may be living close to us and have a close connection with us. And whether we ignore them or not, things that happen in us or in them have an indirect effect on one another. That is why, to optimize our harmony and live a more effective and free life, it is important to keep our mind prudent—free from hateful and spiteful thoughts. They may sense it, and it may create unnecessary burdens in the heart as the harmony gets disturbed.

Self-talk can be induced in the mind in different ways. One of the common ways is through the shadows of other people. Just as there is a shadow of the physical body, there is also a shadow of the mind that rests on others by inducing emotions, thoughts, new ideas, and self-talk.

Sometimes, while sitting at home, your mind may suddenly begin thinking many thoughts and ideas simply because someone passes by or enters your home. These induced thoughts may be harmless, but sometimes people may unknowingly induce negative thoughts that cause unwanted effects. Induced thoughts and self-talk can be processed by the mind irrationally and eventually lead to undesired emotional behaviors.

To remain stable and virtuous, it is important not to entertain every thought that comes into the mind. Some of those thoughts might not originate from your inner being or personality, but from outer sources—such as the influence of others' mental shadows. However, do not fall into the habit of blaming others if you notice this phenomenon, as that may be more harmful to the heart. Instead, develop self-control, as that may be the only right response.

So we should stop giving in to external sources of thoughts by setting up a mental firewall against outsider shadows that have the potential to drive unwanted actions and emotions in our minds. A very simple example related to this subject is how the devil deceives people by planting thoughts in their minds. Initially, these induced ideas are contemplated and analyzed through self-talk, which may quickly develop into emotions and eventually lead to actions.

For instance, if two people who know each other are sitting nearby, a thought of hatred might rest on one person’s mind and be developed further through logic and emotion. This person can then transmit that dense emotion of hatred to the other, who may begin to feel how much they are being hated, also through logical analysis. As a result, their relationship may end in conflict, argument, or disappointment.

Consider how, in the scriptures, people were enticed to commit wrong actions simply by thoughts induced by the devil—who knows that once an idea enters the mind, it can be analyzed and grow into emotional behavior. Even our Lord was tempted to commit a seemingly logical but wrong action when cunning thoughts were placed in His mind by the devil.

So, as you can see, this is not a simple subject. While the devil may be busy deceiving others, the human mind can still be highly sensitive and vulnerable to the thoughts and feelings of others, as their mental shadows rest upon it.

The effect of uncontrolled reception and analysis of thoughts may result in a heart unnecessarily burdened with negativity, which eventually leads to a loss of inner freedom. So putting a filter on thoughts is a wise discipline that guards both heart and mind from demoting the personality. To develop self-control, the following actions can be implemented, with the first being the most important and foundational:

• Fill the vacant space between you and others with love. In any kind of relationship, if there is a spot that lacks love, feelings and thoughts of hatred can overshadow from one person to another. It is mandatory to recognize these empty spots and fill them with virtues of love—such as kindness, mercy, and humbleness.
• Strengthen your volition to disregard and suppress useless thoughts before they fill the mind. We should remember that God is to be loved with all our mind, which means filling it only with thoughts we choose to think about. Otherwise, as Christians, it is not safe to receive and thoroughly analyze every thought that enters the mind. Sometimes, thinking alone can defile the soul, even before such thoughts are put into action.
• Guard your speech to protect your heart. One way the heart becomes weak or sorrowful is through the way we speak. In conversation, the healthiest pattern is to allow all parties to speak in turn. Some people do this naturally, and as a result, they maintain their internal balance. Proverbs 21:23 says, “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” James 3:2 adds,
  “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.”
  We should be prudent in managing our speech because it holds great power—both to build us up or tear us down.
• Remain inwardly focused when preparing to worship God. Whenever you are about to worship in church or at a prayer meeting, try to refrain from unnecessary conversation. Keeping the heart single by silencing the mouth is a helpful discipline that honors the presence of God. Ecclesiastes 3 mentions that there is a time for everything—including a time to be silent. These are the moments to quiet the spirit in preparation for pure worship. I share this as loving advice, because I believe God expects it, and it brings great reward when we offer reverence.

Another important point to note is that the spirit within each of us regularly desires to reveal life-giving wisdom that can elevate our personality to greater levels of glory and excellence. These wisdoms are the Word of God expressed in forms applicable to our individual situations. Although the Bible can be understood by reading, it also functions like an encoded message—one that contains an unending source of deep knowledge. When this deeper meaning is revealed to the reader, it becomes a powerful source of transformation.

Life is governed by specific codes or divine protocols that apply to each hour we live and every situation we face. These divine instructions are often hidden behind the surface meaning of the Bible, representing God’s unique will for our lives. This is why, when two people read the same passage, they may understand the same basic story or message, yet their spirits will decode it differently, revealing personalized enlightenment for their respective life circumstances.

Subjecting the mind to loving thoughts requires a ready heart to act with longsuffering, forgiveness, patience, humility, kindness, and gentleness. This pleases God, Who then finds it suitable to communicate wisdom to the person’s mind through their own spirit. A loving mind becomes a transparent medium through which light from God can flow, and this light imparts wisdom to the conscious mind—wisdom that leads to enduring greatness in the person's life.