The Thoughts of the Righteous"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"The Thoughts of the Righteous"

   

     How many conscious thoughts will we ponder in our lifetime?   No possibility exists of measuring such a prolific internal activity.  We think for many reasons, primarily in response to countless stimuli that elicit our thoughts.  The better question, therefore, involves "How do we think better as directed by God and His Word?"  How can more of our thoughts coincide with His thoughts?

   "The thoughts of the righteous are right" (Proverbs 12:5).   Certainly Solomon did not suggest perfection regarding the thinking of those who trust and submit themselves to the Lord.  As long as we live in a fallen world that "lieth in wickedness," believers will be subject to the temptation to think wrongly about any and everything (I John 5:19).  Indeed, the Apostle Paul would not have commanded the Philippian believers to "think on these things" (matters of truth, godliness, and righteousness) were it not possible to think otherwise (Philippians 4:8).  Thus, we must accept the possibility of thinking both rightly and wrongly about matters of life and existence.  This may seem obvious, but we nevertheless do well to consider the truth of the matter in order to more faithfully and consistently use our God-made brains for their God-intended purpose.  "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).

   One good way to respond to this calling involves consistently asking our Heavenly Father, "Am I thinking rightly about this matter?"  Again, such an inquiry includes every aspect of our lives, beginning with God and proceeding to matters that may seem earthly, but which nevertheless bear eternal significance.  Only our Lord perfectly knows the thoughts of our hearts and minds.  "Thou understandest my thought afar off" (Psalm 139:2).  He alone can lead us to embrace and  enhance the thoughts that lead us to walk in Truth.  None of us know our own minds as well as we think we do.  We must therefore look to our Father regarding our thoughts, seeking His confirmation of those that align with the Lord Jesus Christ, and His correction of those that don't.  "Try (test) me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me" (Psalm 139:23-24).

   The Christian life involves much repentance.  The Greek root word for repent simply means "change of mind."   We must expect ongoing experience of such inward reception of Truth, which leads to rejection of falsehood.  Maintaining the prayerful attitude, "Heavenly Father, am I thinking rightly about this?" places our minds in the proper atmosphere that confirms righteous and right thoughts, while correcting delusions and deceptions.  

"I will consider Thy testimonies."

(Psalm 119:95).

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him."

(Lamentations 3:21-25)

Weekly Memory Verse

   The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him."

(Lamentations 3:24-25)

    

  

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