Sunday Sermons
I'm Thinking
I’m Thinking
Since all evidence points God to be the actual author of the Bible, it should not surprise us to find that its contents are astounding. For example, centuries before our time, God pointed out the critical link between what we allow into our hearts, what we think or meditate upon and how such determines how we live (Proverbs 4:23). Evil thoughts turn into evil actions (Mark 7:20-23), and good thoughts turn into good actions (Philippians 4:8). And though we cannot know what another person is thinking (1 Corinthians 2:11), God Himself can do just that:
- “...the Lord...will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts” (1 Corinthians 4:5).
- “God, who knows the heart” (Acts 15:8).
- “They Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless” (1 Corinthians 3:20).
In light of this truth, God allows us to see into the hearts of various individuals, and gives us a glimpse in the Scriptures of what someone who is not serving Him is often thinking:
“I Have Plenty of Time”
- “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry’” (Luke 12:19).
This man, on the very night he was to die, was telling himself that he had many years left to live (12:20). If we wonder why more people who are very old, do not repent and submit to Jesus, this would be one reason. Despite the obvious, they are still telling themselves they still have plenty of time. In addition, note how the man in the above account had told himself that he had earned the right to sit back and coast and simply live for himself.
“There is No God”
- “All his thoughts are, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 10:4).
On a practical level, this person might still believe in “God”, but the God they believe in is not the God of the Bible. Rather, it is a God who does not hold them accountable for their actions, does not require sincere repentance and one who never punishes. Note how much mental energy it takes for this person (“all his thoughts are”) to deny the existence of the true God. Also take note of what caused this atheism. It is when one is no longer humble and allows pride and arrogance to enter their heart (10:2,3-4).
“I Shall Not Be Moved”: Psalm 10:6
Much like the man we saw in Luke 12. We can fool ourselves into thinking that we are immune from adversity, that we have so carefully crafted our lives and economic plans, that nothing can touch us. And that our current prosperity and health will remain unchanged for many years—virtually indefinitely.
“God Has Forgotten”: Psalm 10:11
The person described in this Psalm is more of a “practical” atheist, than someone who truly does not believe in God. When this man says, “He will never see it” (10:11), he is admitting that what he is doing is wrong—and deserves punishment. In addition, this man is erroneously reading God’s patience (2 Peter 3:9). He convinces himself that judgment has not arrived because there is no God, or that God does not really care, instead recognizing the truth, that God is patiently giving him time to repent.
Thoughts to Avoid: Do Not Say This to Yourself
- “I will repay evil”: Proverbs 20:22; 24:29
Avoid seeking to convince yourself that you have the right to take revenge.
- Believing Your Own Excuses for Inaction: Proverbs 22:13
- Claiming Ignorance—when in fact we knew: Proverbs 24:11-12
- The idea: “I know this is not Scriptural, but something needs to be done, so I forced myself”: 1 Samuel 13:12
What Will Stand at the Last Day
- “Many are the plans of a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand” (Proverbs 19:21).
The world is full of human opinions. Some of them have been around for a long time, and some are very popular and influential. Yet in the end, the only thing that will matter is what God has said in Scripture (John 12:48).
How Do I Need To Talk to Myself?
If you talk to yourself, you are not strange, everyone does. Already we have been given a glimpse of what the unbeliever says to himself—and says often. Well, if I am a Christian, how should I talk to myself?
God Will Judge: Ecclesiastes 3:17
Those who love and trust God have no reason to panic, fret, complain, lose our faith, or foolishly insist on taking justice into our own hands. Instead their hearts rest with a great deal of peace even in the face of turmoil or injustice.
This Life is a Test: Ecclesiastes 3:18
That is why God is not constantly intervening and preventing people from doing bad things, or constantly striking people dead on the spot. This is also why good and evil are being allowed to grow next to each other in this life, and why even evil people are allowed to enjoy the good things of this world.
God is My Place of Safety: Psalm 91:2
Health, money, talent, power, beauty, intellect, and even friends may fail me, but a relationship with God has always been and will always be a place of safety.
I Will Trust Him: Psalm 91:2
On a practical level, this means that I will trust what God says in Scripture over everything else. If God and the politicians disagree—I trust God. If God and my professor are on different pages, I side with God. If all the experts oppose what God has said—I still trust Him. If my best friends contradict God—I still side with Him.
There is a Reward for the Righteous: Psalm 58:11
Even when I am called to sacrifice something in order to build character or honor God, I never tell myself that I am missing out, or that God’s rules against certain things are too restrictive. And since there is a reward for the righteous, the wise son or daughter certainly does not resent loving parents who guide them and lovingly tell them “no” when needed.
Surely There is a God Who Judges on the Earth: Psalm 58:11
This is said in the context of Godly people seeing the consequences of sin catch up to the wicked, even in this life (58:10). Christians often see this happen. Most of us will live long enough to see unbelievers wind down, and to see the destructive fruits of what they've sown (Galatians 6:7). And at that moment, let us first be ashamed and convicted for envying them, even momentarily, in the past and then thank God that we did not follow the same path and especially for His loving instruction and the advice of sound individuals who helped us stay on the right path. Remember to thank God for good parents who disciplined you and loved you enough not to cater to your selfishness. And let us pause and instruct the next generation—“See, the way of the transgressor is hard—God is right” (Proverbs 13:15; 18).
Good Continual Thoughts
- “God is so good”.
- “I am blessed”.
- “I need to share with others what has helped me so much”.
- “How will this look in light of eternity?”
- “I see Scriptures proven true every day”.
- “People are people—I'll worship or blindly follow any man”.
- “I have talents and skills—and I need to use them today”.
Mark Dunagan | mdunagan@frontier.net
Beaverton Church of Christ | 503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net
