Sunday, May 12, 2019 4:35:09 AM
From the Pastor's Heart — May 2019
~ The only sure way to know if we are thinking correctly is to align our thoughts as closely as possible with absolute truth, and that is found in the Bible.
There are many things we take for granted, and prominent among them are our thoughts. After all, they are always with us, yet we rarely stop to consider whether we are thinking correctly. Furthermore, how would we even know? What is the gauge for evaluating them?
The only sure way to know if we are thinking correctly is to align our thoughts as closely as possible with absolute truth, and that is found in the Bible.
If we’re making decisions based on lies or faulty reasoning, every aspect of our lives is affected. Since the day we were born, our minds have been programmed by what we’ve experienced and been taught. Some of it is good, but we may have developed thought patterns that are hampering our lives because they are not based on truth.
Jesus said:
“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” ~ John 8:31-32
Then He continued by explaining that “everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin” (v. 34). Since the human race is born with a sin nature that is hostile toward God, our minds have been corrupted, and that in turn affects every other area of our lives. We can no longer trust our reasoning. Therefore, let’s consider what the Bible says about the mind.
• First, the minds of the unbelieving are darkened.
This doesn’t mean they lack intelligence, but they can’t understand the things of God since these are spiritually discerned:
"But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated [discerned] spiritually." ~ 1 Corinthians 2:14
All those who suppress the truth about God, which He has made evident within them and through His creation, become futile in their speculations and reasoning even though they claim to be wise:
"For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles." ~ Romans 1:18-23
In addition, those without Christ have no power over sin. Although most people are not as bad as they could be, their sin nature contaminates their motives, making all their good deeds like filthy rags in God’s eyes. To make matters worse, Satan is constantly tempting and deceiving them with worldly pleasures and pursuits, and they have no defense. However, there is hope in Christ.
• Second, believers become new creations in Christ with a new mind:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, all new things have come." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
When we believe in Jesus, repent of sin, and receive Him as Lord and Savior, we are given a new nature that is bent toward God. We will never be the person we once were because we have the Holy Spirit living within us. Although we will still continue to struggle with sin, now we have the power to obey God instead of yielding to our natural inclinations.
Being a new creation in Christ also applies to our minds:
"The spiritual person, however, can evaluate [discern] everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." ~ 1 Corinthians 2:15-16
We are now able to understand the things of God; however, He doesn’t instantaneously change how we think. It’s a process, and we have a role in it. After salvation we may still be encumbered by wrong thought patterns, old habits, a worldly perspective, and bad attitudes, but God has provided what we need to be transformed — His Word. It’s when we continue in the Word, as Christ said, that we’ll know the truth and be set free from faulty thinking as well as sinful behaviors.
• Third, without a renewed mind, a Christian will think like the world.
Some believers are worn out with their efforts to overcome sin. The problem is that they are working on the externals but have failed to address the internal problem — their thinking. The only way to overcome destructive thought patterns and deceptions is to think biblically.
Romans 12:2 says:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Christ calls us to stop adopting the culture’s values, philosophies, and ideas because He’s working to conform us into His image, not that of the world, and it all begins in the mind:
"For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified." ~ Romans 8:29-30
Every time you read the Bible, God is reprogramming your mind with truth so you can be set free from old thought patterns and begin to think rightly. The result is a life filled with trust in the Lord and victory over sin.
Engagement with Scripture is a personal essential. It’s also a crucial function of the church. Not only must pastors faithfully teach God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15), but believers should constantly remind each other of its life-giving contents:
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” ~ Colossians 3:16
When you store up God’s Word in your heart and speak it into the lives of others, powerful transformation is possible.
If you’ll continue in Scripture, you’ll discover that it not only sets you free but brings delight to your soul, wisdom to your mind, and blessings to those with whom you share it.
Charles F. Stanley
P.S. Mother’s Day is a time to remember our moms with gratitude and admiration. Let’s thank them for their selfless love and many sacrifices, and ask God to bless mothers everywhere with godly wisdom and strong faith.
https://www.intouch.org/read/from-pastors-heart/may-2019
~ The only sure way to know if we are thinking correctly is to align our thoughts as closely as possible with absolute truth, and that is found in the Bible.
There are many things we take for granted, and prominent among them are our thoughts. After all, they are always with us, yet we rarely stop to consider whether we are thinking correctly. Furthermore, how would we even know? What is the gauge for evaluating them?
The only sure way to know if we are thinking correctly is to align our thoughts as closely as possible with absolute truth, and that is found in the Bible.
If we’re making decisions based on lies or faulty reasoning, every aspect of our lives is affected. Since the day we were born, our minds have been programmed by what we’ve experienced and been taught. Some of it is good, but we may have developed thought patterns that are hampering our lives because they are not based on truth.
Jesus said:
“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” ~ John 8:31-32
Then He continued by explaining that “everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin” (v. 34). Since the human race is born with a sin nature that is hostile toward God, our minds have been corrupted, and that in turn affects every other area of our lives. We can no longer trust our reasoning. Therefore, let’s consider what the Bible says about the mind.
• First, the minds of the unbelieving are darkened.
This doesn’t mean they lack intelligence, but they can’t understand the things of God since these are spiritually discerned:
"But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated [discerned] spiritually." ~ 1 Corinthians 2:14
All those who suppress the truth about God, which He has made evident within them and through His creation, become futile in their speculations and reasoning even though they claim to be wise:
"For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles." ~ Romans 1:18-23
In addition, those without Christ have no power over sin. Although most people are not as bad as they could be, their sin nature contaminates their motives, making all their good deeds like filthy rags in God’s eyes. To make matters worse, Satan is constantly tempting and deceiving them with worldly pleasures and pursuits, and they have no defense. However, there is hope in Christ.
• Second, believers become new creations in Christ with a new mind:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, all new things have come." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
When we believe in Jesus, repent of sin, and receive Him as Lord and Savior, we are given a new nature that is bent toward God. We will never be the person we once were because we have the Holy Spirit living within us. Although we will still continue to struggle with sin, now we have the power to obey God instead of yielding to our natural inclinations.
Being a new creation in Christ also applies to our minds:
"The spiritual person, however, can evaluate [discern] everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." ~ 1 Corinthians 2:15-16
We are now able to understand the things of God; however, He doesn’t instantaneously change how we think. It’s a process, and we have a role in it. After salvation we may still be encumbered by wrong thought patterns, old habits, a worldly perspective, and bad attitudes, but God has provided what we need to be transformed — His Word. It’s when we continue in the Word, as Christ said, that we’ll know the truth and be set free from faulty thinking as well as sinful behaviors.
• Third, without a renewed mind, a Christian will think like the world.
Some believers are worn out with their efforts to overcome sin. The problem is that they are working on the externals but have failed to address the internal problem — their thinking. The only way to overcome destructive thought patterns and deceptions is to think biblically.
Romans 12:2 says:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Christ calls us to stop adopting the culture’s values, philosophies, and ideas because He’s working to conform us into His image, not that of the world, and it all begins in the mind:
"For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified." ~ Romans 8:29-30
Every time you read the Bible, God is reprogramming your mind with truth so you can be set free from old thought patterns and begin to think rightly. The result is a life filled with trust in the Lord and victory over sin.
Engagement with Scripture is a personal essential. It’s also a crucial function of the church. Not only must pastors faithfully teach God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15), but believers should constantly remind each other of its life-giving contents:
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” ~ Colossians 3:16
When you store up God’s Word in your heart and speak it into the lives of others, powerful transformation is possible.
If you’ll continue in Scripture, you’ll discover that it not only sets you free but brings delight to your soul, wisdom to your mind, and blessings to those with whom you share it.
Charles F. Stanley
P.S. Mother’s Day is a time to remember our moms with gratitude and admiration. Let’s thank them for their selfless love and many sacrifices, and ask God to bless mothers everywhere with godly wisdom and strong faith.
https://www.intouch.org/read/from-pastors-heart/may-2019
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