“You and I must cultivate discerning minds. Like warriors in a battle, we have to capture every thought – not just one or two thoughts but every thought — and bring each into alignment with the heart and mind of Jesus.”- Bob Merritt
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”- 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)
In Chapter 6 (“One-Track Mind”) of Done With That, Bob Merritt wonders what you think about. Specifically, what occupies your thoughts each and every day? Or even a good portion of each day? Because, the author stresses, what you think about defines you as well as determines what you’ll become.
Certainly, your stage of life influences what occupies a great deal of your thinking. For example, young parents think about their children and the kids’ demands. And those who work full-time find that their job consumes their thoughts at least forty hours a week.
However, when these things turn into obsessions, they cause trouble. But, as Pastor Merritt explains, a relationship with Christ changes everything:
“When we enter into relationship with Jesus Christ, He begins to make us new people. So even though we still sin or fail, we have power through Christ to win the battle against sin. And the strategic place where this battle is fought is in our minds (emphasis author’s).”
In conclusion, Pastor Merritt seriously questions how much the steady stream of television shows we watch affects our minds. Because television erases the line between right and wrong. In the process, TV deadens our discernment. Hence, we must depend on God’s Word as the only source for renewing our minds. To win the battle against sin, we cannot allow powerful worldly influences to conform us to the material world.
Today’s question: What Scriptures assist us to cultivate discerning minds? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Life and peace – what people want”
