Thoughts: Part 1
Everything I decide to do or to believe begins somewhere in the not so distant past with a single thought. Multiple thoughts in succession together form a particular perception or understanding of a situation, or they come together to establish belief patterns that shape every aspect of my life. If the thoughts I have are not based on Truth, then those perceptions, understanding, and belief patterns I have are not true. The nature of my thoughts can range anywhere from a subtle suggestion in my mind, all the way to a conclusion I have drawn on the basis of deliberate reasoning. Often it is the subtle suggestions that pass through my mind that are the most powerful (whether good or evil). Sometimes even what I think is a well-reasoned conclusion, can be fraught with error if the reasoning is not based in Truth. How very powerful are all our thoughts! It’s no wonder that it is in our thoughts, in our mind, where the devil seeks to first, gain influence and then ultimately, control.
I think it is very clear in Romans 12:1-2 that I am to learn to think how God thinks. The more I train my mind to think like God thinks, the more I am able to discern His will. It is also clear that changing the way I think is a process, not something that will happen instantaneously. Nonetheless, it is a command, an instruction from God’s Word—do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
I have learned how to use several different tools in my quest to renew my mind and to change the way that I think. The most important one of these tools is really a pair of ideas that work together—memorization of and meditation on Scripture. There is absolutely no substitute for this dynamic duo if I am truly seeking to renew my mind. Memorization gives the Truth a permanent home in my mind, while meditation gives me understanding of that Truth as the Holy Spirit of God brings it to my heart.
As for memorization, I have tried a lot of different ideas—Scripture written on note cards placed in strategic places like in the car, on the bathroom mirror, etc. I have also simply compiled a list of scriptures in a document that I use during my quiet time. If it is a particularly long passage, I will typically just memorize one short segment at a time. Although very short, something as simple as “If God is for us, who is against us?” holds tremendous power! I have been amazed at how often God will bring to mind those memorized passages in situations when I need that particular encouragement or reminder or strength.
Meditation is what makes memorization so effective. It is one thing if I have an intellectual grasp of a passage from God’s Word, but it is an entirely different thing for God to reveal to me a personal Truth and give me understanding. This is what meditation does. I get quiet before the Lord and ask Him to speak to me through His Word, and a Scriptural passage “comes alive” in my heart. I get wisdom, I understand. My mind is being renewed.
I think it is very clear in Romans 12:1-2 that I am to learn to think how God thinks. The more I train my mind to think like God thinks, the more I am able to discern His will. It is also clear that changing the way I think is a process, not something that will happen instantaneously. Nonetheless, it is a command, an instruction from God’s Word—do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
I have learned how to use several different tools in my quest to renew my mind and to change the way that I think. The most important one of these tools is really a pair of ideas that work together—memorization of and meditation on Scripture. There is absolutely no substitute for this dynamic duo if I am truly seeking to renew my mind. Memorization gives the Truth a permanent home in my mind, while meditation gives me understanding of that Truth as the Holy Spirit of God brings it to my heart.
As for memorization, I have tried a lot of different ideas—Scripture written on note cards placed in strategic places like in the car, on the bathroom mirror, etc. I have also simply compiled a list of scriptures in a document that I use during my quiet time. If it is a particularly long passage, I will typically just memorize one short segment at a time. Although very short, something as simple as “If God is for us, who is against us?” holds tremendous power! I have been amazed at how often God will bring to mind those memorized passages in situations when I need that particular encouragement or reminder or strength.
Meditation is what makes memorization so effective. It is one thing if I have an intellectual grasp of a passage from God’s Word, but it is an entirely different thing for God to reveal to me a personal Truth and give me understanding. This is what meditation does. I get quiet before the Lord and ask Him to speak to me through His Word, and a Scriptural passage “comes alive” in my heart. I get wisdom, I understand. My mind is being renewed.
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