There is no saying, that is more accurate than “Life consists in what a man is thinking of all day.” The regulation of our thoughts is imperative, if we are to shape our lives wisely and well. As in your mind, so is your search. If your mind be like Christ’s, you will find what you desire.
This calls to mind the divine saying, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Prov. 23:7. If we allow our thoughts to dwell on spiritual things and the joy set before us what glorious visions we will have of being partakers of the divine nature, equal unto the angels and children of God.
The divine offer of mercy as expressed through Isaiah (55:6, 7) appropriately enough invites men ”Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake His way, and the unrighteous man His thoughts : and let Him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy.” We are also admonished to be like-minded with Paul, and to “Consider Jesus lest we be wearied and faint in our minds.”
Again in Philippians 2:5 Paul tells us to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” And Peter exhorts us (1st Epis. 4:1) “For as much then as Christ hath suffered . . .arm yourselves with the same mind.” If we are of the same mind we will think only God’s thoughts, God’s words and God’s works.
In his letter to Timothy Paul speaks of men of corrupt minds being enemies of the truth. 2nd Tim. 3:8. “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth : men of corrupt minds.” Again in 1st Tim. 6:5 Paul warns us to withdraw from anyone of corrupt mind or one that is preaching another doctrine and not the truth. “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is Godliness : from such withdraw thyself.” Evil thoughts are like bad fruit, as one rotten apple will affect the good fruit surrounding it, until the whole case is ruined, so a few evil thoughts, if encouraged will slowly alter our character, but the blossom of right thinking produces good fruit and a life acceptable to God.
No greater summary of right thinking could be given than the words of the apostle in his letter to the Phil. 4:8 “Finally, Brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Every earnest effort we make to be understanding and tolerant of others, every earnest effort we make to bring peace and harmony to our environment makes it easier for us to be adaptable and flexible in our thoughts and attitude. Life becomes easier for us, richer and happier. An attitude of cheerfulness keeps us relaxed and serene and conditions our mind for the right handling of situations as they arise.
“To be spiritually minded,” says the apostle Paul, “Is life and peace.” If we are spiritually minded it will be reflected in our speech, our face and our manner. A cheerful, peaceful countenance is contagious. Other persons catch this attitude and a state of serenity and love is set up. For it is difficult for another person to attack one who is always cheerful and kind. The cheerful countenance and kind words like bread “cast upon the waters” may return after many days. On the other hand a harsh word may sometimes set up a chain reaction that might have disasterous results. We are therefore cautioned to be careful of our thoughts for they may break forth into words, and to be careful of our words that they are well chosen, right and honorable, for we shall give an account of every idle word.
Jesus said “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Mat. 12:36). We are also warned to be careful of our words when exhorting that we teach only the doctrine which is according to Godliness : (1 Tim. 6:3, 4) These things teach and exhort. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to Godliness : He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising” and Mat. 12: 38. “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things : and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”
Our thoughts, then, should be begotten by the Word of God and they must come forth to be creative — the driving force of our thinking, not just stored away or locked in our hearts. As we just mentioned “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things.” and “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” we must reveal these thoughts, they must frame our words, and our words will reveal the quality and form of our character or personality. A personality not just in the fashion of our earthly inheritance and environment but a personality transformed by the renewing of our minds. This will prevent our conversation, writing or speaking being composed mainly of “idle words,” the words which slip from an undisciplined, untrained, uncontrolled and undirected mind.
Paul in writing to the Romans says, “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds, that ye prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
In order to keep our mind filled with spiritual thoughts at all times we must keep replenishing or renewing, for our minds are forgetful and weak—our memory treacherous. Partaking of spiritual food daily is a “Must” less we forget the things concerning the kingdom of God and our goal to be reached. We cannot afford the risk of forgetting one word of the truth or of drifting away at this late date, neither can we afford to become satisfied with ourselves. We must strive always to do better for we fall short of the perfect example set before us, and very often we may have repeated these words of the Psalmist “My foot slippeth,” Ps. 94. However, we cannot give up or it is too late, because our foot has slipped. No matter how many times or how many years we have shed our failures we must not give up. We must remember, we have a sympathetic and understanding master and we must try again and again. Forget how many times we have failed and aim for the goal.
Since we are labourers together then, it will be to our credit, to help our brothers and sisters and not judge, feeling that only we are successful. Our success might easily be turned into egotism. We must not be resentful in our attitude but long suffering, using self-control to be honest, just, and kind to our fellow man. Learning to regulate our thoughts to the proper channels and bringing into captivity “Every thought to be obedience to Christ” will enable us to acceptably approach the emblems each Sunday morning. Let us remember the divine saying, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,” keeping in mind the list of attributes Paul gave us to think on for cleansing of the heart and the purifying of thoughts : “Think on these things says Paul, “And the peace of God shall be with you.”
And now we pray as the Psalmist did,
“Search me, 0 God, and know my heart :
Try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me.
And lead me in the way everlasting.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One