Think Less?
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“Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (Matthew 22:37)
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7, NKJV)
My car radio automatically searches for a station when one is not designated. I was astounded when I heard this station’s commercial: “The kind of radio that makes you think less…and learn more.”
What if Christians were to adopt this mantra of “think less and learn more?” The effects of this would be quite dangerous, because the Bible repeatedly admonishes us to be thinking people. In the letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul has a long list of what we are to think about: things that are true, honorable, just, pure, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy.
In The Message, Eugene Peterson paraphrases just how God wants to use the minds of committed Christ followers:
We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Our minds are renewed as we submit to the Holy Spirit’s work through what we learn in scripture, through our loving obedience to the Heavenly Father, and to increasing daily focus on the things of God.
Christians who grow are those who think more, not less.
Lord, reveal to me any areas in my life where I have not been thinking purely. Help me to think and dwell on things that are only true, honorable, just, pure, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy. Amen
Question: In which area of your life could your mind be renewed?
8 Responses to “Think Less?”
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So true Glyndell!! In this busy world where there are so many voices coming at us all the time, we really do need to learn to think less and instead listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts. Learning to be still and listening is almost a lost art.
Yes, we are to take every thought obedient to Christ. I believe people are thinking way too much and not stopping to invite the Holy Spirit to give His opinion on the subject. God is trying to speak to us constantly, but our minds are so crowded with earthly thoughts, things below, and not things above. Thinking less would actually be a huge benefit to many people who are analyzers, have to know, have to understand, worry, etc. and their brains are always engaged. Lean not unto thy own understanding…
Charlotte, I have to respectfully disagree. The Message can be a very valuable tool for Bible study, and is much more than simply “opinion or entertainment”. Peterson is very clear that his work is a paraphrase and not a translation. I would never suggest that someone use The Message as their only access to the Scriptures, but alongside a translation, I believe that his work has a lot of value. I would not categorize it as “controversial”.
Marilyn, Amen and Amen. But we have to wake up, get up and determine to know the Word of God so that our minds can be renewed through the scripture. In this busy, noise filled world it’s hard to find the time to sit quietly before the Lord to be recharged.
Kinda like making time to take the car for an oil change or tune-up. But if we don’t we’ll find ourselves broken down on a desolate road with no help in sight.
I’ve found myself like that, on a isolated, rough road, broken down. But I thank God He never leaves me alone. I thank God for a mom who insisted on scripture memorization and in those tough moments the Spirit of God reminds me of the Word of God. I thank God that the computer screen of my brain isn’t blank about His Word. But I’m convicted that I wasn’t as diligent to teach my children to memorize scripture. And I’m afraid there are many more like me and like my children.
DiAne Gates
Pauline, I`m so sorry for your circumstances. My father was a very wonderful man until he started drinking. Then he became very abusive,not only to my mother but to us kids as well. Back in those days there was no help for abused women,but there is now.
I `m not a professional & I`m not telling you to leave him etc. but I don`t think it`s healthy for either of you to go on like this.Being that he`s so apologetic shows that he`s aware of what he`s doing & you filling yourself with guilt talk*your thoughts* It seems like a vicious cycle but there is an end in sight,please seek help! I am praying that God will send the right person(s) into your lives that will help you break this cycle & will lead you both to victory in this matter. God bless you both!
Thank you for this devotion,Marilyn. What a awesome prayer to start each day! Daily asking God to fill my mind with thoughts of these things instead of cluttering it with the junk of this world. I really want to live each day focusing on being obedient to my Heavenly Father.
Beware of quoting from the controversial “Message” by Peterson. Please do not endorse it as Scripture but as opinion/entertainment.
i am married to a man who drinks……
when he is sober,,hes the lovliest, kindest man ever,,,,,when hes filled with drink, hes abusive,,,verbally, not physically….when hes drunk, i could walk out on him without thinking twice about it. when hes sober, i love him so much, and cant think about leaving…
its hard forgiving over and over, and i know its a command, i know its something i should do,,,,;
sometimes my thoughts against him are just pure nasty….evil….because im upset with him…i cant say i get angry, just dissappinted.
the thing is, hes always so apologetic….brings me flowers, etc, as if that will make things all right….
im no angel, i have my faults, im well aware of that, but this behaviour is getting worse, and along with it, so are my thoughts…..