Overcoming Negative Thoughts

Where do negative thoughts come from? Why are they so stubborn to deal with? I’ve tried hard to overcome negative thoughts, even using Scripture, but the harder I try, the more intense they become. They leave me feeling drained, guilty, defeated, and exhausted. Does this sound like you?

We often default to fighting thoughts with more thoughts. In fact, we think harder. But you don’t fight negative thoughts with more thoughts. I will show a different, proven strategy, but first, we must address the common sources of negative thoughts.

Common Sources of Negative Thoughts

Negative thoughts either arise from core beliefs or mental blueprints. These are subconscious ideas formed early in life about your worth, identity, and safety. If these beliefs are distorted, they become fertile ground for negative thinking. This is a more scientific understanding of the source of negative thoughts.

But spiritual and Scriptural knowledge also has much to say about the sources of negative thoughts. Two common sources are: first, deliberately consuming visual or audio content or material that might be perceived as morally questionable or spiritually compromising. You must “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22) And, “...set no wicked thing before mine eyes...it shall not cleave to me.” (Psalm 101:3).

Second, not all thoughts are random mental noise. Thoughts that leave you feeling defiled, guilty, and paralyzed are often fiery darts shot at your mind by the wicked one. Scripture reveals that Satan targets the mind with guilt, condemnation, and lies (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:16) and takes people captive at his will (2 Timothy 2:26). He plants seeds of guilt, shame, condemnation, and even suicidal thoughts (as he did with Judas) as a way to make you escape your shortcomings. These thoughts aren’t just psychological; they’re strategic attacks meant to paralyze your faith and isolate you from grace.

How Do I Deal with Negative Thoughts?

You have heard some say, “Thoughts are like birds flying overhead; you can’t stop them from flying above you, but you can stop them from nesting in your mind.” This provides a helpful image to understand the dynamics of thought life. But in practice, how do we stop those thoughts from settling in? Most of us default to fighting negative thoughts by thinking harder, reasoning with ourselves, or trying to outthink the darkness.

But let me ask you: how has that worked so far? Frustrating, isn’t it? The more you wrestle with those thoughts, the more they seem to multiply and leave you feeling guilty, filthy, and helpless. Have you wondered why those negative thoughts can be so overpowering—more overpowering than the 'Scriptures' you intentionally try to read and memorize? Have you really thought that through?

You don’t fight negative thoughts with more thoughts.

If you plan to overcome the devil’s fiery darts: thoughts of guilt, shame, and despair, you don’t have to think harder. For instance, the harder Judas thought, the more suicidal he became, because Satan had put things in his mind (John 13:2). Contrast that with the prodigal son: he said, not thought, he said, “I will arise and go to my father.” He had every opportunity to commit suicide, too, but he spoke his strategy out loud and got the victory. You don’t overcome thoughts with more thoughts; you overcome thoughts with words. This is worth a million repeats. Yes, words are powerful when anchored in Scripture and repentance.

You overcome Negative Thoughts with Words!

Have you noticed that Jesus spoke to the wind, to trees, to diseases, to demons? Is that by chance, or is that how things should work? How about this, too: at creation, God spoke to the firmament; He spoke to light, water, the ocean, and rivers; He spoke to animals; He spoke to everything. God didn’t think things into creation; He spoke things into creation. This is such a powerful truth that will make you a talking Christian, not a careful, shy one!

The Life and Death of Negative Thoughts are in the Power of the Tongue!

If you plan to 'kill' negative thoughts, use words, not thoughts. Why? Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21), not in the power of your thoughts, but in the power of your tongue. When you close your mouth, you give negative thoughts power to dominate your mind.

When I discovered this truth, it brought me complete victory over my thought life. If Jesus spoke, I must speak also. I am His disciple! I wondered why I didn’t know it much earlier in my Christian walk. The Bible doesn’t teach that we deal with negative thoughts by thinking more; it teaches that we deal with them by speaking. And when you speak, you must hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for He is faithful that promised), Hebrews 10:23.

Jesus did exactly that when tempted by the devil. He held fast to the profession of His faith. Jesus didn’t think His way out. He didn’t pause to meditate. He spoke. He said, “It is written.” This truth shook me. Jesus didn’t respond with silent thoughts, like I have been doing. He responded with spoken words. Whether the devil came to Jesus physically or spoke to His mind, we don't know, and it won't make any difference at all. How do I know this? When the devil spoke through Peter, Jesus responded as He did in the wilderness: He spoke, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” That is a clear example, isn't it? The devil in your thought life is the same devil, even if he appears physically.

So, the strategy in God's word won't change, no matter what form he assumes. Simply recognize the source of the thoughts and deal with it, not by what you are used to doing, but by the authority of Scripture. The devil won't listen to you; he listens to the authority of God's word spoken through you (when your obedience is complete, 2 Corinthians 10:6). The devil must be spoken to. Scripture says, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,” not by the thoughts of their testimony. Yet many of us read “word” and practice “thought.”

See this truth even more loudly in 2 Corinthians 10:5: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Notice, it doesn’t say “think down imaginations,” it says “cast them down.” And how do we cast them down? By words! When we speak, we bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, not by thinking harder, my friend, but by speaking. For you shall have whatsoever you say (Mark 11:23).

Reflection Questions on Negative Thoughts and Spiritual Strategy

1. When I’m overwhelmed by negative thoughts, do I tend to fight silently or speak Scriptures loud enough for my fears and the devil to hear?

2. What difference might it make if I began declaring Scripture instead of only thinking it?

3. What does it mean for me to “hold fast the confession of my faith” in moments of mental pressure?

4. Have I been quiet out of fear, shame, or a desire to appear “serene”?

5. How can I build a habit of speaking truth even when I don’t feel strong?

6. What does victory over negative thoughts look like for me personally?