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 10 of 12
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
       Frequently, our Lord challenged men to think! "But WHAT THINK YE? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard" (Mat 21:28). "Saying, WHAT THINK YE of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David" (Mat 22:42). The engaging of the mind is essential to the realization of the truth. The Lord lays truth before you, and asks you to think upon it; that is His manner, and the way of the kingdom. Thoughtless religion can  claim no affiliation with Christ!

Hating vain thoughts
     The writer of the 119th Psalm was in fellowship with God in his thoughts. He confessed to God, "I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love" (Psa 119:113). It is apparent that such men are in the minority in our time. "Vain thoughts" have found their way into the pulpits and classrooms of our country. But they have no place in the heart of the righteous, or the congregation of the saints! 

Know my thoughts!
     Sensitive of the importance of thinking, David cried out to the Lord. "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts" (Psa 139:23). The NIV and NASB translate the word "saraph" as "anxious thoughts." The text seems to extend beyond that, however. David wanted nothing in him that was not acceptable to God. He did not ask God to look only for a certain category of  thoughts. Rather, He pled for the Lord to make a thorough examination of his thinking, to see if there was anything unacceptable in him. That is taking the matter of thinking as seriously as it is intended to be taken! 

PROPER THOUGHT WILL KEEP YOU FROM SIN
      No person is capable of avoiding sin without due consideration of the Word of God. It is necessary to have determination at this point. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee" (Psa 119:11). How is it that the Word is hidden in our heart? Some suppose that memorizing Scripture fulfills the objective. But this is not so! No person of sound spiritual mind is opposed to the memorization of God's Word. It is something for which we should be noted. However, hiding the Word in your heart takes place AFTER the memorization. It occurs when we muse upon it, pondering its statements, and meditating upon its message. You "hide" it after you obtain it!

     The Word of God is hidden in your heart when you find delight in it; when its
implications are joyfully seen. "I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget  Thy word" (Psa 119:16). The Word of God is not easily forgotten when it is loved!
 
     Due consideration of God's Word provokes personal examination. "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies" (Psa 119:59). The only way to avoid an obedient walk is to cease thinking about the Word of God. A proper and focused consideration of Scripture will provoke personal evaluation. God's Word is calculated to do this. As it is written, "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and  intentions of the heart" (Heb 4:12, NASB). Thoughts and intentions are unmasked in the blazing glory of the "mind of the Spirit." Those who choose to submit to Divine scrutiny will soon resolve to make "straight paths" for their feet, "lest that which is lame be turned out of the way" (Heb 12:13). Again, this underscores the necessity and profitability of thought.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, give me grace to keep Your Word uppermost in my thoughts. May it be the means by which I measure every expression to which I am subjected.

-- TOMORROW: AN EXAMPLE OF PROFITABLE THOUGHT --