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PART 2: WHAT WE NEED TO DO ABOUT IT
A. "CLOTHE" OURSELVES WITH JESUS: ALLOW HIM TO
INFLUENCE ALL OUR THOUGHTS [Also translated: "put on" Jesus (just
like putting on clothes).]
Romans 13:14 - Clothe yourselves with [or
"put on"] the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not think about how to gratify
the sinful nature's desires.
B.GROW-UP IN OUR THINKING (HAVE MATURE, RATHER
THAN CHILDISH THINKING)
1 Cor. 14:20 - Stop thinking like children,
...but like adults (mature). Of course, as far as evil is
concerned, be "infants" (that is, be "inexperienced")!
C. "CAPTURE" OUR THOUGHTS TO MAKE THEM OBEDIENT TO
CHRIST
2 Cor. 10:5 We must attack all false thinking
that opposes knowledge of God. We must "capture" every thought to
make it obedient to Christ.
Comments & Questions:
- Are there some bad thoughts you need to stop
thinking? What do these verses say you need to do about them?
These verses suggest that you cannot merely "stop" bad thoughts.
Rather, you need to "replace" them. You need to exchange
one type of perspective (or conduct) for another. What are some
ways you can exchange your bad thoughts for good ones?
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A. THINKING ABOUT EXCELLENT & PRAISEWORTHY THINGS
["Excellent" can also be translated as: "virtuous, good or right"]
Philip. 4:8
Think about anything that is excellent and worthy of praise.
(a list of 6 good qualities is also given)
[See also v. 9, which focuses on our ACTIONS]
Comments & Questions:
- This section may contain only one verse, but it
covers everything we can think about! Study the context. How do
actions and thoughts go together?
- There are many ways we can use the Word to help us
accomplish what this verse tells us to do. Here are some suggested ways:
- 1. Examine the context surrounding the verses
listed in the "bad thinking" section. Do any of the passages
suggest how to replace the bad thoughts with good ones?
Do any of them give examples of good thoughts to have?
- 2. LEARNING THE WAYS OF WISDOM [WE MUST PAY
ATTENTION TO ITS "REBUKE" OF OUR WRONG WAYS]
- Proverbs 1:23 - If you had payed attention
to my rebuke, I would have ... made my thoughts (or words) known
to you. [NIV uses "thoughts"; many translations: "words"]
- The early chapters of Proverbs describe the
benefits of learning the ways of wisdom. [In this verse (1:23),
wisdom is personified, and those who are unwilling to
pay attention are being rebuked.] Do you want to learn the ways
of wisdom? Explore the book of Proverbs! After all, wisdom
should influence ALL our thinking! Two things you can look for
are: 1) the contrasts between words such as wisdom and folly
(and similar concepts), and 2) other concepts which are
associated with being wise.
- 3. The two greatest commands involve love for
God and love for neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). Scripture gives us
many instructions in how we can fulfil our obligations. What are
some of the commands and obligations we have, a) toward God? B)
toward people (including both friends and enemies)? These would
be good things to think about! How can you apply them to your
life?
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A. THINKING ABOUT GOD / JESUS CHRIST
Psalm 63:6 - I think of you throughout the
night. [This word "think" is often translated "meditate."]
Hebrews 3:1 - focus your thoughts on Jesus...
B. THINKING ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN THE PAST
(THINGS DONE AMONG OTHER PEOPLE) [Context: During Trials]
Psalm 77:5 - I thought about the days of long
ago...
Psalm 77:10
(interpretations vary): if connected with the doubts & anxiety of
vs.7- 9: He's wondering if God's "right hand" still works in
mighty ways, as it did in the past; if connected with the hope &
reassurance of v. 11-12+: He's reflecting on what God did in the
past, and beginning to realize that God's mighty works in the past
provide a basis for trusting him in the present. (This conviction
is fully reached in v.11. So with either interpretation, we
finally reach the same conclusion!)
Psalm 77:11 (an expression of trust in God):
I will remember the deeds / miracles that the Lord did long ago...
[Perhaps this idea implied: The God we can trust today is the same
God they were able to trust back then. And he has not changed.]
C. THINKING ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN THE PAST
(THINGS DONE IN OUR OWN LIVES) [Context: God saved us when we were
"nobodies" - as viewed by the world.]
1 Cor. 1:26 Remember the type of people you
were when God saved you. Not many of you were wise (by human
standards), or influential, or of noble birth.
[Just think... The fact that he was willing to do this is an
expression of his love for us!]
D. THINKING ABOUT WHAT GOD WILL DO IN THE FUTURE
(JESUS' RETURN & THE COMING JUDGMENT)
2 Peter 3:1 I have written these letters (1 Peter
& 2 Peter) as reminders to encourage you to have correct thinking
(or: a mind that is working in a "pure" or accurate manner). [In the
case of 2 Peter, the "correct thinking" had to do with the certainty
and significance of Jesus' second coming (v. 2+). And if you are
experiencing trials, think about 1 Peter, which tells us that our
present suffering will result in glory and joy when Jesus returns.]
Comments & Questions:
- The Bible places much attention on our thinking
about God. This is because our relationship with God will
influence the way we relate to, or interact with, everything else
- with other people and with all creation.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that everything we do
should be done in a way that brings glory (and honor) to God. Think about
this passage. How would you apply 1 Cor. 10:31 to your life? [One thing
you could do would be to contrast a) how person might do things to bring
honor to God, and b) how he might do things to dishonor him. You can also
consider the question of how would Jesus do things, if he were doing them
with you.]
- How can you think about God as you go about your daily
activities? [To help you answer this, you might think about how you would
do things if you were spending a lot of time with another person - a good
friend or someone you dearly love. How might being with that person
influence the way you did things? (Even if the person wasn't present, just
thinking about him/her, could influence the way you did things!) Now, if
God has saved you, he has become your friend, and he is present at all
times (Hebrews 4:13). Remember also what Jesus said: "...lo, I am with you
always." (Mt. 28:20) This means that everything you do is being done with
a friend.
- For further study: A good study would be the Bible's
concept of "meditation," which focuses (for the most part) on thinking
about God. This word is found many times in the Old Testament, especially
in the Psalms. (Some translations use the words "think," "reflect" or
"consider." A study entitled,
"Thinking about 'Meditation'" is available,
if desired.)
(Not added here. Jt.)
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[in addition to what is mentioned in the previous
sections]
A. THE NEED FOR SELF-EVALUATION; THE NEED FOR
"CONSIDERING ONE'S WAYS"
Proverbs 14:8, 15; 21:29 - The upright,
sensible person gives thought to (considers/understands) his ways.
[contrasted with how the wicked, foolish, or simple-minded act]
B. HAVING SOBER JUDGMENT, RATHER THAN
HIGHLY-INFLATED THOUGHTS [ABOUT SELF]
Romans 12:3 How to think of yourself: NOT
more highly than you ought, but with sober judgment - based on
"the measure of faith." (See comments below.)
C. A WARNING AGAINST INFLATED THOUGHTS ABOUT OUR
INTELLECTUAL CAPABILITIES (KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE BIBLE) ESPECIALLY
WHEN LOVE IS ABSENT (see context)
1 Cor. 8:2 The person who thinks he knows
something [& is proud of it! - v. 1] doesn't yet have the type of
knowledge he really needs.
D. THE DANGER OF "FALLING" FROM A GOOD EVALUATION
1 Cor. 10:12 Those who think they are
standing firm need to be careful, lest they suddenly fall down!
[context: learning from the examples of
others.]
E. THE DANGER OF SELF-DECEPTION
Galatians 6:3 Those who think they are
something, when they are nothing, are only deceiving themselves.
Comments & Questions:
- 2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to test ourselves,
to determine if we are really in the faith. This verse tells us to
examine our relationship with God. (If you have never done this,
or need to review some aspect of your relationship with God, it
would be good for you to do so now.) In contrast, many of the
above verses (such as those in section "A") focus not so much on
our relationship with God, as on the way we interact with other
people, and with the world in general.
- "The faith" (that is, the teachings of the Scriptures)
is to be the "measure," or standard, by which we judge ourselves. Such a
standard is worthy of our submission, since it has its origin in God (2
Tim. 3:16-17). We must be "sober-minded" in our evaluation, aware that it
is easy for us to deceive ourselves. We must also be willing to learn from
others, rather than being a "simple-minded" person (as described in
Proverbs) who must repeat all the mistakes and foolish ways that other
people have done before him.
- What are some of the things you might evaluate yourself
for? As you read the Word, pay attention for things (attitudes, actions,
etc.) you need to evaluate in your own life. You may want to focus on
specific topics, or select some specific book in the Bible for your study.
You may wish to reflect on the Proverbs for a while, since they give a lot
of practical advice on how to live. (If you choose to do this,
read the article on
"About Proverbs")
(Not added here. Jt.)
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A. GOD'S THOUGHTS ARE HIGHER THAN
OUR'S; WE CANNOT FULLY COMPREHEND THEM
Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's thoughts are as much
"higher" than our's, as the heavens are higher than the earth.
Romans 11:33 - The riches of God's wisdom and
knowledge are deeper than we can fathom; his judgments and ways
are greater than what we can comprehend.
B. HE KNOWS ALL ABOUT US & WILL SOMEDAY JUDGE US
ACCORDING TO HIS WORD
Psalm 139:1-4 - You know all about me; you
know my thoughts, all the things I do, and everything I say
(before I say it).
Hebrews 4:12-13 - The word of God is living
and active; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Everything in all creation is visible to God. And we will someday
give account of our lives to him.
C. [SOME OF] GOD'S THOUGHTS HAVE BEEN MADE KNOWN
TO US
Amos 4:13 - The LORD God Almighty, the
Creator & Ruler, has revealed his thoughts to people.
Comments & Questions:
- There is much we don't understand about God and
the way he does things. There is much in which we need to simply
trust him to do things in a way that is right and best for us. One
of the themes in the book of Job is the wisdom and power of God,
contrasting it to our weakness and lack of understanding. If God
were described as "light," we would be described as "darkness."
Everything about him is so much greater than we will ever
comprehend!
- Yet he reveals some of his thoughts and actions to us -
in creation (indirectly) and in the Word (directly). He tells us
everything we need to know about ourselves and about how we should live -
both now and in eternity. There are many things in life we can't fully
comprehend, but we can know (through the Scriptures) everything we need
for life and godliness!
- There are many ways in which God is different from us.
Think about a few of them, and what these differences mean to you.
- Think about the greatness of God's wisdom and
knowledge. How can God's greatness be a comfort and an encouragement to
you? Under what conditions might his greatness be a cause for fear? (This
last question may or may not apply to you.)
- What impact does the greatness of God's wisdom and
knowledge have on your faith (belief or trust) in him? Are there instances
in which nothing makes sense in your life? What do you do then? Have there
been instances in which nothing made sense, or everything went wrong, but
you later saw how God was using those things to accomplish good in your
life (as described in Romans 8:28-30)? If you have seen God work this way
in the past, how can your awareness of God's past works influence
your thoughts about the present or the future?
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Dennis Hinks © 1998 |
