The Nothing Box

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

Ever had that type of a conversation with your spouse or your teenager?

Psychologists and comedians proclaim that men have a nothing box. They are able to think in their nothing box about absolutely nothing.

Yoga and other meditation instructors will tell their followers to empty their minds. To think about nothing.

Is that even possible?

More importantly, is it biblical?

Is it just an excuse revealing a lack of discipline?

The Bible tells us repeatedly to control our thoughts. Here are just a few verses, but a concordance will reveal many more.

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13).

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth" (Colossians 3:2).

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).

If you honestly can say that you were thinking about nothing, then you were not controlling your thoughts. Since the Bible commands us to think biblically all the time, if you are thinking about nothing, you are sinning.

The answer "nothing" should not be dismissed. In a discipling relationship, a parent, spouse or friend, has the task of drawing out the thoughts of the other:

"The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out" (Proverbs 20:5).

If there really is a relationship, then the responsibility lies on both parties to be honest and to take the time to discuss. The questioner shouldn't give up when he hears the answer, "Nothing." Nor should the other person hide behind this excuse.

If either party gives up when "Nothing" comes out of the mouth, a problem is brewing in that relationship.

If either party gives up when "Nothing" comes out of the mouth, both are challenged to drop the bucket lower into the well and bring it to the surface.