2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. My thoughts germinate into actions that lead to habits. Those habits feed my character, which manifests itself in the results that people see. Strong healthy roots produce a strong healthy tree that can stand the test of time. Likewise – Consistent thoughts, actions, and behaviors, develop into habits, and make me more effective! By “thoughts”, I am not referring to those things that pop into my head, uninvited and sometimes unwelcome. Rather I am speaking of that which I choose to think, or more precisely “how I choose to think.” Some call this my “World-View” or “Paradigm”, the mental framework around which I build my life and interpret the world around me. Everyone has a world-view whether or not we recognize it. Unless I am intentional about building my world-view, others will build it for me. Because “how I think” will determine the habits I build into my life, I need to decide upon what foundation I will build my world-view, and what values will shape it. As a Christian, I need to start with the Word of God, and I need to diligently examine every thought I have to ensure that it is consistent with God’s thoughts: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. It is critical that I develop an Intentionally Biblical World-View. If I am not intentional in doing so, by osmosis I will develop a worldly world-view because I am relentlessly barraged by the world’s values in every sector of my life. If I do not take those thoughts captive, I will soon begin living as if they are true, even when they are contrary to God’s thoughts. The Bible is filled with God’s thoughts, thoughts that will be helpful to anyone that applies them. However, if I really want to understand them and make them my own, I need to have a relationship with God, which He makes possible by the saving work of Jesus, and He develops through the sanctifying work of His Holy Spirit. I could learn a lot from the Bible without that relationship, but I would miss the most important parts, not to mention the very purpose for which I was created – fellowship with my creator. In John 15:5-8, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” If I want to be effective (“bear much fruit”) I must remain rooted in Jesus and in His word. James 2:17 - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. |
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