Toxic thoughts are any thought you have that is inconsistent with God’s word.
The definition of detox is to abstain or rid the body of toxic or unhealthy substances. With God’s help, we can take every thought captive to obey Christ. We need to reject toxic thoughts.
Ephesian 4: 27 says: …for anger give a foothold for the devil. The problem is that we can entertain toxic thoughts and think on them instead of rejecting them.
Some examples of toxic thoughts: Negative thoughts make negative persons, if you let them. Fearful thoughts make a person uncomfortable. Critical thoughts can hurt people. Discontented thoughts compares yourself to others. Sinful thoughts can become greed, lust, anger, hate, in others can make bad thoughts about others.
We need to replace toxic thoughts with God’s truth.
1. Philippians 4:8 Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely , and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (toxic thoughts)
2. Proverbs 17-22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” (critical thoughts)
3. Ephesians 4:29 Don’t use abusive or foul language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (sinful, greedy, hateful thoughts)
4. 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit not of fear and timidity but of power, love and self-discipline”. (fearful thoughts)
5. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you to who belong to Christ Jesus“. (discontent)
6. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “The temptations in your life are no different fro what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (replace toxic thoughts with God’s truth)
7. Colossians 3:2 “Think of these things of heaven, not of things of the earth.” (recognize, reject and replace)
(This article is a review of Pastor Sean Payne’s message on 8-17-25, about Toxic Thoughts; Crossroads Baptist Church, Hartwell, GA, used with permission)