Changing the Way We Think

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away."

Timothy 3:1-5

Paul warned Timothy of a grave danger in the church. It was not that this peril did not yet exist in Paul’s day, but would become more and more evident. The times we are facing today are as perilous as they have ever been. There is hardly anything more perilous than delusion. The Greek word for “lovers of themselves” is “philautos,” which means “selfish, self-centred, narcissistic.” After all these sinful attributes are mentioned, the last part should grab our attention: "having a form of godliness but denying its power.” This should be a grave warning to us. This scripture reveals there are people who think they have a relationship with God but they are deceived. They have a form of godliness on the outside but it is merely a work of the flesh. The source of power for every Christian is only obtained through repentance, regeneration through the Gospel, and walking in the Spirit. Are we willing to put ourselves under the microscope of this text alone? It is only after we are willing to own our sins and repent that we can be free from them.

God has provided His Word so He might change the way we think. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, but his heart is not with you.” God uses many instruments to perform His will, but ultimately it takes exposure to God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit to convince man of his sin, need for repentance, and salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What is true for conversion is also true for sanctification. We bring all sorts of notions, assumptions, and ideas we pick up from the world or our delusions into our Christian walk. School and the world are not only ethical battlegrounds but spiritual ones. If Satan can over time influence your mind through his many tools – music, movies, media, people, even trials - he can distort the way you see God, yourself, and others, negatively affecting your effectiveness for Christ. The only way we can know if we are a “lover of self” rather than a lover of God is when God’s Word is brought to bear directly upon our own lives.

Let’s be honest: if we can read this passage without a prick in our hearts or consciences, either we are completely without sin, or the scripture is not impacting us as it should! Something is preventing the Word of God from penetrating our hearts. Has there been a time recently you were offended when you read Christ’s words? Have you been shocked by things God has said or done in scripture? As you read the Bible, has your view of God’s character changed? When is the last time you were emotionally touched or involved as you read? If we haven’t been shocked, offended, or confused when we read something in God's perfect Word, we have blunted the message! The Bible is more than a doctrinal handbook or a platform for debate: it contains the Words of life. The Bible exists to tear down our misconceptions of God, love, and grace and build them new upon the rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ. God wants to change the way we think, and may God use His Word to accomplish this necessary work.

May the scriptures engage us, mind, body and soul. God has given us the scripture to reveal Himself to us. Being infinite, how much more is there to discover about Him! He has given us the Holy Spirit to indwell us so we might understand the things He intends to teach us. He has given us the Bible to correct our misunderstandings and assumptions. He has given us the Word to instruct us in righteousness. I thank God for the way He gently leads and teaches those who seek Him. Before we can adequately lead, we must submit to be led by Him. We must be under authority before we can rightly wield it.  Praise God He has granted us the mind of Christ through the indwelling Spirit!