Think About It
From the time we entered this world, we have had things to think about. I have no recollection of my thoughts as a newborn, nor any idea what an infant “considers” as it sees, hears, and feels things never yet experienced by them. I suppose the reasons a baby cries are myriad. They perhaps have fear before they know what fear is. They react to the stimuli around them, and thereby learn to think. Some have told me when a baby smiles in sleep, they “are talking with the angels.” I suspect that is not the case, but babies are precious nonetheless. Truth is: we do not know what babies think.
But as we grow and our brains develop some, we learn to put names to our various “feelings” and come to recognize when we are “thinking about” something. This is part of human development and part of what God “built” into us when He created man. It was René Descartes, the French Philosopher, in the 1600’s that stated: “I think, therefore I am.” In other words, the only evidence you have that you exist as a self-aware being is your conscious experience of thinking about your existence. Man is blessed with the ability to reason, consider, ponder, meditate, and choose. These are all part of thinking, and when we choose, we see the result of thinking.
The fact that we can choose, proves that we can think. Perhaps one of the best recalled Scriptures on choice is that found in Joshua 24:15. The very fact that Israel was given choice is evidence that they could think. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Within the context of commitment and fidelity to God, hear what the Spirit had Paul write in 2Timothy 2:7. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. If we “ponder” the inspired instruction and the divine directives from God’s Word, we are required to “think”. Another verse which supports this is 2Corinthians 13:5. Can one honestly “examine himself” without contemplating what might be amiss? Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? Is it even possible for one to examine themselves, or any other thing without thinking? Can one investigate “their faith” and determine upon what that faith stands, and not think? Doing so without thinking is impossible!
Philippians 4:8 contains eight different things on which the brethren at Philippi were told to “think on”. Of course, all these things will keep a person on the track God wants everyone to travel. 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. In the verse immediately following this, the Spirit had the apostle Paul remind them by what means they had come to know these things as well as what would result. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.(Philippians 4:9)
Everyone thinks, but on what do they think? Well, that is up to them. The verses in Proverbs 23:6-7a clearly shows the way a person thinks determines his or her actions. Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: It is equally clear from 1Corinthians 10:12 that one’s thoughts, or failure to think properly can lead to disastrous results. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. This is why it is so important to search the Scriptures daily. Did not Jesus Himself direct His detractors to search the Word of God to correctly guide their thoughts in John 5:39? He said: Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
The Spirit had Paul remind Timothy of what he should continue to think, and why he should do so in 2Timothy 3:14-15. The same applies to us as well if we have learned the right things, and can show them through rightly divided scripture. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Do we check what we have been taught, believe, think on and practice against the Word of God? Are we thinking properly? Where will our thinking lead us?
Improper thinking can lead folks (even God’s own people) away from God as Isaiah 1:2-4 teaches. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. 4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. On what do we think? Where, and which way are we going? Think about it! Do something about it.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
