Minding Your Thoughts
A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life
Romans 15:15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God.
One of the most remarkable gifts that God gave when he created man in the beginning was to give him a mind. May we strive to cultivate, feed, keep clean, and use the mind that He has given.
For example, it is amazing how the grace that God gave to the Apostle Paul was to such a boundless extent that people everywhere were in his thoughts and on his mind. Because of this, he had a burden for the people of Israel when he expressed himself by saying, Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (Romans 10:1) There should be no question what the Apostle had on his mind and in his heart. It was the salvation of souls. This also was a burden and concern that our Lord had, which caused Him to endure the cross while despising the shame that was set before Him. He set His mind "like a flint" to go to Jerusalem knowing of the sufferings He would experience in going to the cross. He could have summoned an angel to smite and destroy the raging mob that nailed Him to the cross, but He determined in His mind to stay on the cross, fulfilling the Words of prophecy, that He might be our Saviour and Redeemer, thus becoming the sacrifice that was needed to pay our debt of sin, so we might be saved.
The mind allows the mouth to speak words. ... for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:45) From our mouth come words for good or for bad. So, it is important that we speak words for good so we can magnify Christ in our lives by what we say. Our speech needs to "be seasoned with grace." As a child of God we should never speak in a profane or sinful manner.
If the mind of Christ be in us, our thoughts can be acceptable in the sight of God. If the words of Scripture are in our minds and hearts, we will be able to say, Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11) The Word of God will strengthen and help us, therefore enabling us to be a blessing to others. We live not only for ourselves, but for others.
May the mind that God has given to you and me be fixed upon the important matter of setting an example by the way we live and what we say, to influence people to come to Christ and be saved. Without a doubt, this concern was reflected in the mind of Christ, in the life of the Apostle Paul, and may it also be reflected in us as well.
May the Lord Bless and be pleased with your thought life today.
Dr. William T. Howe
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