“Think On These Things"

"Think On These Things"

       

     "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

      The Bible is a completely reasonable, rational revelation of God, Truth, and reality as it actually exists.  While never fully understandable by anyone other than its Author, Scripture presents to us propositional truth that forms the basis and content of all thinking that leads to "life and peace."

     "His understanding is infinite… As he thinkest in his heart, so is he" (Psalm 147:4; Proverbs 23:7).

    Are our thoughts based on Truth, God's Truth, or are they based on anything else?  The "life and peace" of our hearts depends on proper answer to this question.  Spiritual mindedness involves joining our Heavenly Father in His perspectives and understanding.  He sees and comprehends all things as they are, or again, reality as it actually exists.  To the degree we embrace His thoughts will be the degree to which we walk in light rather than darkness.  As we often suggest in these messages, we do not have to be brilliant of mind in order to know God and His truth.  But we have to think.  There is no faith that does not begin with thought, first, God's thought, and then our mental response thereunto.  "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17).

    A good question to keep before the Lord is simply, "Father, am I thinking rightly - or righteously - about this matter?  Or, are my thoughts based merely on appearance, emotion, the wrong thoughts of others, or even devilish influences and deceptions?"  The Psalmist prayed accordingly: "Try (test) me and know my thoughts" (Psalm 139:23).  The matter involves both doctrine and application.  Do I accurately know God and His Truth in the light of Scripture regarding whatever matter I may contemplate?  Am I thinking, responding, and acting accordingly by the leading and enabling of the Holy Spirit?  No more important questions exist in relationship with God and the living of every aspect of our lives.  Reasonable, rational revelation.  Reasonable, rational, responsive thinking in response to the Word of God and Spirit of God.  This is "life and peace."  Anything else is death.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

(Philippians 4:8)

 Memory Verse

      "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

 (Romans 8:6).