THINK DIFFERENTLY
|
Many voices in our world urge us to prioritize self-interest and self-preservation—or greed and fear—as our primary ways of thinking and responding to the world around us. These are the core appeals of most advertising and much of the entertainment offerings. Some elements of these are found in almost all political campaigns and even in some church evangelism and media. These motivations do not need much fostering, as they are embedded in us by instinct and reinforced by the assumptions and insistence of the cultures around us.
It is hardly surprising that one of the repeated messages of the Bible challenges these human instincts and cultural values—“Think differently.” The power that these influences have on us is such that we need to practice this counsel, meaning that we need to do it repeatedly for the purpose of getting better at it. We must invite the Holy Spirit to change our hearts and minds, but we also must train ourselves by intentionally choosing to think differently, even when that is not our initial response to a fear or challenge that we confront.
One important component of this intentionality is spending time with the Bible, learning the words, ways, and will of God, and embedding them in our minds. For so many believers throughout history, this has been a transformative practice of faith, a source of comfort and reassurance in whatever circumstances they face.
“If God’s word were studied as it should be, men [and women] would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in these times.”* Thinking differently, faithfully, and courageously does not happen accidentally.
So, let’s begin practicing today, renewing our minds and seeking God’s will.
* Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press®, 1892), 90.
