THINKING AND SPIRITUAL LIFE
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing EVERY THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Devotion 1 of 12
                                
INTRODUCTION
      We are living in spiritually difficult times. Religion has become popular, and is being marketed with seemingly remarkable success. Ours is a generation easily impressed with appearance, and unmoved by serious consideration. The entertainment syndrome has gripped much of the Western world, thereby neutralizing the effect of saving truth upon the hearts of men. This is the time of "the great harlot who sits on many waters" (Rev 17:1). Instead of being noted for association with Deity, she traffics with "the kings of the earth," with whom she has "committed adultery." What is more, the  inhabitants of the earth are "intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries" (Rev 17:2-3). John saw the professed "church" wedded to the world, and "the world" was her wedded name!

A falling away
     The revelator on Patmos wrote of a great falling away. The consideration of it caused great astonishment to clutch at his heart. This was the "falling away" of which Paul wrote. "For the time  will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and  shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim 4:2-3). Teaching without flaws would no  longer be the quest of the masses. Instead, they would develop their own agenda, then surround themselves with teachers that satisfied their corrupted desires. Paul viewed this as a most serious condition, and warned Timothy to "be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Tim 4:5).

Truth engages the mind
     The truth of God is provocative, engaging the hearts and minds of those submitting to it. You cannot remain thoughtless and subject yourself to the truth of the Living God. It will engage your mind, compelling you to make an effort to identify the sin in your life, in order that you might obtain the blessing of God. Those who hear the message of the Gospel become like the tribe of  Reuben. It was said of it; "For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart" (Judges 5:16-16). O, that our day would be so identified!

THOUGHTLESS RELIGION
     One of the most ingenious initiatives of the wicked one is that of thoughtless religion. It has always existed among the tribal nations of the world, dominated by fear and superstition. Our adversary, however, has promoted this form of delusion in our Western world. Using the penchant for  entertainment that he himself fostered, he has launched an aggressive attack against the people of God. The door of opportunity was left ajar for our adversary when the church ceased to major on preaching, adjusting its emphasis to give the people what THEY wanted, instead of what the Lord provided in Christ.

The exaltation of feeling
     Feeling has been exalted to a place of prominence, even though it is a subordinate part of our nature.  In an environment so affected, hype supplants contemplation, and ecstasy is preferred to insight. Those giving assent to this persuasion, perceive Divine guidance as occurring independently of thought. However, a religion that does not engage the mind has not reached the heart, nor can it change the person. If it is true of a person, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Prov 23:7), and if the "issues" of life proceed from the heart (Prov 4:23), a religion that does not affect the mind, and CANNOT affect the heart, is dangerous!  A thoughtless religion is a self- contradiction. Wherever it exists, individuals will be found trusting in men rather than God. Faith cannot be brought to maturity without the involvement of the mind and the expression of thought.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, deliver me from all forms of religion that exclude the involvement of my mind. Give me grace to love You with all of my MIND, as well as my heart, and soul, and strength.

-- TOMORROW: THOUGHT--NOT AN END OF ITSELF --