A Different Way of Thinking

June 1 2024

God’s Word is truly transformational. Every time I read it, my life is enriched. It is not a book written to point out all of our flaws, but in reading it our foibles do become apparent. Never have I have read His Word and didn’t see how I have sinned and fallen short of His glory. The seed planted in my heart makes me want to change and become a better person.

His Word growing in us produces His nature and His life in us. Thereby causing us to think differently about ourselves and how we interact with others. A mindset shift occurs and old things and thoughts pass away and we are determined to please Him through our obedience.

Here is an example of this different way of thinking according to God’s instructions through His Word. He tells us to love our enemies. That gets our attention right away because it is our nature to hate them; those who have violently opposed and mistreated us. We are to love the people who are determined to make our lives as miserable as they possibly can. Lord help us! In Proverbs 25:22, it tells us if our enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. We are to love, feed and give water to those who are intent on destroying us. That’s truly a different way of thinking and it requires the help of the Holy Spirit. If we try to do this on our own, we will fail.

Another example is found in Proverbs 24:17 where it tells us not to rejoice when our enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. That seems to be a big ask when our enemies get what they deserve. We want to see them receive what we believe is their just punishment. We don’t want to be deprived of seeing them suffer in some way. After all, they caused us pain and suffering and enjoyed lying awake at night planning evil against us. But God cautions us against finding joy in their misfortune. As a matter of fact, He says that if we rejoice, He will be displeased with us and turn His anger from them.

Throughout God’s Word, He is showing us how He wants us to be different and think differently. How amazing would our world be if believers obeyed His Word? The world would be in awe of our god like behavior. The earth would be a better place to live and more sinners would be drawn to Christ as a result of our Christ like conduct.

Let’s make it a goal to be more committed to reading and obeying God’s Word. We’ll find that His Word produces His nature in us. His divine nature will change our way of thinking and Christ is seen more in this world through us.

God will be pleased.