Every Nation: Thinking “Others” instead of “Self”
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“Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults” 1 Corinthians 14:20
The Bible says, “My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people…” (1 Corinthians 14:20, CEV) Children only think of themselves; grown-ups think of others.
God commands, “Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too.” (Philippians 2:4, NLT)
Of course, this is a difficult mental shift because we’re naturally self-absorbed; almost all advertising encourages us to think of ourselves. The only way we can make this mental switch is through a moment-by-moment dependence on God.
Fortunately He doesn’t leave us to struggle on our own: “God has given us His Spirit. That’s why we don’t think the same way that the people of this world think.” (1 Corinthians 2:12, CEV)
Begin asking the Holy Spirit to help you to think of the spiritual needs of unbelievers whenever you talk to them. With practice, you can develop the habit of praying silent “breath prayers” for those you encounter. Say “Father, help me to understand what is keeping this person from knowing You.”
Your goal is to figure out where they are in their spiritual journey and to do whatever will bring them a step closer to knowing Christ. You can learn how to do this by adopting the mindset of Paul who said, “I don’t think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:33, GWT)
Question: How could you begin to reach out to your friends and neighbors, maybe even in “small” ways, in the love of God?
About this Author: Rick Warren
I think there is much wisdom here. It also teaches us to be better listeners. Too often we are thinking of what to say rather than reallly listening to the other person. As a volunteer and staff member for a non-profit organization that helps homeless families with children, I am learning the value of listening and praying as I listen, but it is something I have to train myself to do with God’s help.