Busyness: Think Right
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their own craftiness;' and again, The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.'
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (NKJV)
what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
Philippians 3:7-8 (NKJV)
He rebuked Peter, saying, 'Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.'
Mark 8:33 (NKJV)
Your mind. What's in it? That's the BIG question.
Consider Peter, the #1 disciple of Jesus, whose mind got filled with a bad idea. Proving?
Mind pollution happens to everyone, including Christians of all positions (and sometimes leaders are targeted)!
Who’s responsible? ‘The prince of the power of the air’ (Ephesians 2:2).
Did Paul, inarguably a MASTER-PASTOR, suffer the effects of mind pollution? Consider his self-described malady:
'What I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do... O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?' (Romans 7:15, 24). 'For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace' (Romans 8:6).
Think of David, Israel's greatest king. He was tormented by real enemies– but also false thoughts:
'I am a worm and no man' (Psalm 22:6).
Perhaps the devil DOUBLES his efforts to sow noxious notions into leaders.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: YOU are called to lead! Therefore, you must redouble your efforts to keep the home of your thoughts (your minds) CLEAN! How?
With God’s Cleansing Agent: 'The Mind of Christ' (1 Corinthians 2:16). 'The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin' (1 John 1:7).
Apply this Solution REGULARLY! (Houses and hands need regular cleaning, and your minds do, too!) How?
'By the RENEWING of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God' (Romans 12:2).
Consider this step-by-step action plan:
'Prove all things; hold fast that which is good' (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Don't believe everything you hear OR THINK.
'Demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and… take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ' (2 Corinthians 10:5). Call a lie a lie and cast it away. How can Christians recognize a lie? A lie is anything that disagrees with God's Word, Son, Spirit, or Character.
Put God's Word in your mind, unceasingly... which basically means, you live in It. 'The entirety of Your Word is truth' (Psalm 119:160). 'If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free' (John 8:31-32).
Think first things first (and disregard wrong thoughts. ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind' (Matthew 22:37). 'You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You' (Isaiah 26:3).
'Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things' (Philippians 4:8).
THEREIN, YOU THINK RIGHT!
Busyness: Think Right (Part 9)
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.