Minding Your Thoughts
A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life
January 5
Numbers 24:13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?
Nowhere in Scripture is there a better illustration of the struggle between the mind and the heart than the story of Balaam. Balaam was a prophet, a seer if you will, it was he that spoke the quote in the above verse. Balak was the King of Moab who grew to be very fearful of the Israelites. Balak attempted to pay Balaam to put a curse on God’s people. Balaam had a tremendous fight of emotion and will concerning the offer from Balak.
On one hand, he continually held to the fact that he could only speak the mind of God. On the other hand, he had a heart’s desire for the prominence, reward, pomp and circumstance connected with the offer Balak extended. On the surface the above quote seems right, sounds noble, and even smacks of righteous indignation. Yet Balaam’s actions did not quite agree with his strong words. In the New Testament Balaam is mentioned three times: Peter speaks of him loving the wages of unrighteousness (II Peter 2:15), Jude speaks of the error of Balaam which was greed and reward (Jude 1:11), and John spoke of the false doctrine of Balaam (Revelation 2:14). These are not glowing accolades of a faithful man of God, but rather a stern reproach. Balaam had the mind; he knew to only obey God, but he did not have the heart.
Isaiah warned about this in Isaiah 29:13. Jesus even quoted Isaiah in Matthew 15:8, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. It is one thing to know the mind of God in your mind, it is another thing altogether to perform the mind of God from the heart. Both men in pulpits and people in pews are guilty of the error of Balaam. God may use them, yet, but how much more blessed, rewarding, and honorable to know the mind of Almighty God and to obey with the heart. The struggle between that which the mind knows of God and His ways, and fleshly desires of the heart is real. You are not alone.
Knowing the mind of God is only possible by knowing the Word of God. A preacher may open the Bible when beginning his sermon and say, “When we open the Word of God we open the mind of God.” That is a true statement. Everything God wants us to know of His mind is found in His Word. Knowing the mind of God is like a curb that keeps the will of God in our lives ever present while performing His will. Consider the bowling alley and the “curbs” they can let down on the lanes to keep the novice from always throwing “gutter balls.” Those curbs keep the ball in the lane. Likewise, God’s Word, His mind on the matter, keeps us from ending up in the gutter. Knowing of His ways are like those curbs. Knowing His ways and keeping within the boundaries of them will keep anyone out of the gutter.
In God’s will for your life, He has given curbs (if you will). His mind is a curb to keep us in the overall will of God while performing the personal will of God in life. For example, God’s purpose for your life may be to be a businessperson. That is well and good and even vital to the work of Christ. But in that business, make sure to know God’s mind about the Godly principles of business. Use those principles as curbs to keep you in His will and way.
Balaam is a perfect example of the knowledge of the mind being in opposition with the lusts of the flesh. Balaam evidently chose poorly. May we pray to do better.
May the Lord Bless and be pleased with your thought life today.
Dr. William T. Howe
Comments