Who Molds Your Thinking?

"Stop being molded by this system of things." - ROMANS 12:2.


* Why is Jehovah's thinking beneficial for us ?

* Why is Jehovah's thinking superior to the ideas and values of this world?

* To avoid being molded by this system, what must we do?

JESUS' disciples could not believe what they were hearing.  Jesus, the one they expected to restore Israel's kingdom, said that he would suffer and die.  It was the apostle Peter who spoke up.  "Be kind to yourself, Lord, he said.  "You will not have this happen to you at all."  Jesus countered:  "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, because you think, not God's thoughts, but those of men."

With those words, Jesus made a distinction between thoughts that originate with God and thoughts that originate with this world under Satan's control. (1 John 5:19) Peter echoed the self-sparing attitude of the world.  But Jesus knew that his Father's thinking was different.  He knew that God wanted him to brace himself for the suffering and death that awaited him. In his reply to Peter, Jesus clearly rejected the world's thinking in favor of Jehovah's.

What about us?  Do we think God's thoughts or those of this world? Granted, we have likely conformed our conduct to God's requirements. But what our thinking?  Are we bringing our thoughts and viewpoints into alignment with Jehovah's?  Doing so requires a deliberate effort.  On the other hand, little or no effort is needed to absorb the world's thinking.  That is because the spirit of the world is all around us. (Ephesians 2:2) Furthermore, because it often appeals to self-interest, the world's way of thinking can be enticing.  Yes, it is challenging to think like  Jehovah but all too easy to think like the world. 

However, if we allow the world to mold our thinking, we will be inclined toward selfishness and a desire for moral independence.  (Mark 7:21, 22) It is therefore vital that we cultivate "God's thoughts with not "those of men." This article will help us.  It considers reasons why aligning our thoughts with Jehovah's is not overly restrictive but beneficial.  It also shows us how we can resist being molded by the thinking of the world.  The next article examines how we can get Jehovah's thinking on various matters and make his thoughts our own.  

Next time:  Who Molds Your Thinking? - JEHOVAH'S THINKING IS BENEFICIAL AND DESIRABLE

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