“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ.” - Philippians 4:7 (NRSV)

THE MIND: THOUGHTS

“To think of God as he is, one cannot but lapse into worship; and worship is the single most powerful force in completing and sustaining restoration in the whole person. It puts into abeyance every evil tendency in every dimension of the self. It naturally arises from thinking rightly of God on the basis of revealed truth confirmed in experience. We say flatly, Worship is at once the overall character of the renovated thought life and the only safe place for a human being to stand.” - Dallas Willard

Has anyone ever told you to think for yourself?

As people, our decisions to do something, good or bad, have their starting points in our thinking. Beginning as soon as God gifts us with life, willfully or not, we absorb thoughts, slogans, opinions, and commentaries on the ways of life.

Specific to Christian spiritual formation, we are to learn how to put on the mind of Christ. One way we do this is to acknowledge the New Testament, specifically the life of Jesus, not as one story among millions of others but as a story that conveys “basic information about reality.” One where we recognize that Jesus’ ideas, images, information, and patterns of thinking genuinely free us from bondage to the burdensome powers of darkness.

By God’s constant stream of grace, a starting point for undergoing transformation of our various dimensions is the practice of seeing within the New Testament basic information about reality in God’s Kingdom. God continues ongoing renovations in us, His image-bearers, as we live in this Kingdom reality. When we surrender our thoughts to Jesus, we can rejoice in Him, show our gentleness to others, not be paralyzed by worry, and talk with God with thanksgiving. This process requires us to keep God at the forefront of our minds.

REFLECTION

What thoughts (images, concepts, judgments, inferences) typically consume your thinking? How have they impacted your daily life?

PRAYER

O God, it is easier to put dishonorable and unworthy thoughts in our hearts and minds than thoughts of praise. Help us to admit this. But more graciously, help us dwell on the good and beautiful ways Your Son engaged and embraced the world and help us do likewise. Amen.