Don't Believe Everything You Think

A couple of weeks ago, as teachers and other school district employees prepared for the students to arrive, we had a guest speaker, Adolph Brown, III.  He said something that stuck with me, he actually said multiple things that stuck, but one thing was this:  Don’t believe everything you think.  He was addressing stereotypes about race and culture, and advising teachers to get to know individuals rather than making judgments based on appearance.  When he said this, it struck me as profound, my head probably cocked to the side like my dogs do when they are trying to decipher something strange.  Don’t believe everything you think.  Well, what else would I believe, if not what I think?  I’ve been pondering on this statement and it really is a helpful piece of advice.  

How many times have my thoughts been wrong?  Where shall I begin?  I used to think 40 was old - it’s not!  I used to think laptops were inferior to desktops - I would never be a laptop owner - I am!  I had written at least 4 books before I realized I was a writer!  I used to think people divorced over toilet seats left up - no, it’s way more than that!  I used to think it didn’t really matter who held the office of POTUS - it does matter!  Last year I thought COVID would be over by now - wrong!  Don’t believe everything you think!

I used to think Scripture was for Sunday, the Lord’s day, and as long as I went to church I was in good shape - not true.  While it’s true that once we are saved, our soul is saved for eternity, but everyday we think and make decisions and if those are not Scripture-based, Godly decisions, then we find ourselves in trouble.  I used to think it was impossible to actually hear the voice of the Holy Spirit - that was wrong.  Now, that I’ve heard it for myself, I believe it’s real.  

1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  Some people do not believe they are sinners.  Because of that, they do not believe they need a savior.  This thinking is incorrect.  Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  All includes everyone.  Those who subscribe to thinking they are an overall good person and believing in Jesus is just taking things too far, may find themselves in a heated situation they cannot escape.  We should never minimize our sin because we have used our own thinking to justify it.  Don’t believe what you think.  Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

Romans 12:12 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  We must study our Bible to be able to discern between scriptural and cultural beliefs.  Among other things, our culture would have to believe  we live for ourselves.  When we live for self we focus on personal gains, gathering and saving money and material goods.  The Bible tells us in Colossians 3:23, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.  In 2 Corinthians 5:15 we learn, And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.    

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  In this world, in our culture, it’s difficult to find truth, nobility is rare, what’s right is subjective, and purity is nonexistent.  John 14:6 records the words of Jesus, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  We have to read and study our Bible in order to find the real truth.  We can’t believe everything we think.  We must subject our thoughts to prayer and meditation and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to His noble, excellent, and praiseworthy conclusions.  Amen.   


​Thank you for reading, and please share!
Peace and Blessings this week and always!
​Kim