THINKING ABOUT THINKING

By Jerelyn Pearson

 

Thinking is something we do all the time. Thoughts constantly fill our heads. Have you ever tried not to think? Try it. At best you end up thinking about “not thinking.” Allowed to run wild, our thoughts can take us down many roads. Since thinking is such an ever-present factor in our lives, it might be profitable to give it some thought.

God’s Word offers instruction regarding our thinking and provides insight into his thought as well.

Some of our thinking time is spent trying to “find out” information.

Ecclesiastes 8:17:
Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

1 Corinthians 8:2:
And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

It is more important to love God and know him and be known of him.

1 Corinthians 8:3:
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

Some of our thinking time is spent thinking about ourselves.

Romans 12:3a:
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think....

Instead of thinking highly of ourselves, we should think soberly.

Romans 12:3b:
... but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Some of our thinking time is spent worrying about our needs.

Matthew 6:25:
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

God knows our needs. We need only to seek him.

Matthew 6:31-33:
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Some of our thinking time is spent thinking about others.

1 Corinthians 4:6:
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

The Word of God is more important that the person who presents it.

1 Corinthians 4:7:
For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

Some of our thinking time is spent judging others.

1 Corinthians 4:5a:
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts....

Suspending judgment brings a blessing.

1 Corinthians 4:5b:
... and then shall every man have praise of God.

Some of our thinking time is spent worrying about the future.

Matthew 6:34:
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Some of our thinking time is spent imagining scenarios and planning how we would respond in some hypothetical situation.

Luke 12:11-12:
And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Some of our thinking time is spent considering things over which we have no control.

1 Peter 4:12-13:
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Matthew 24:44:
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Luke 12:40:
Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Luke 12:25-26:
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

Instead, seek the kingdom of God. This is pleasing to him.

Luke 12:31-32:
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

That we think is unavoidable. What we think is crucial. We grow in maturity in our thinking.

1 Corinthians 13:11:
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Our thoughts are subject to obedience.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5:
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

How can we bring our thoughts into obedience?

2 Corinthians 3:5-6:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Ephesians 3:20:
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

How important is it to think about God?

Malachi 3:16-17:
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Finally, what does God think about us?

Jeremiah 29:11-13:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

 

 

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From the December 2001 issue of The Vine & Branches