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To Think

Jim Berge

“Test everything. Hold on to the good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. Thinking about such questions as “What should I be thinking about?” “How should I be going about this business of thinking?” “Why think?” My answers on this subject of thinking are beginning to gel, and I would like to share some thoughts on this.

Why Think?

The first and probably most important reason to think is that we are created in the image of God. Since God does not have flesh and bones, this cannot literally refer to our physical bodies. The image of God refers to His spiritual existence, a spiritual reality that is true reality. We each have a unique personality, just as God does. We can each love, hate, cry and laugh as God does. And we each can communicate in a deep and meaningful way, spirit to spirit, just as God can. In this respect, we have an obligation to exercise that part of ourselves which cannot be seen or touched, but can nevertheless be deeply felt, simply because God has given us the ability - the gift - to do so.
     Second, we must think because it is necessary in order to fulfill our role as children of God. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). This transformation is required if we are to conform to the image of our Creator rather than to the image of those who are of this world, who are notorious for not thinking. To be continually renewed in the sphere of our thinking and imagining is to be rewarded by the Holy Spirit, who indwells us and gives to our minds and souls freely. To love the Lord with “all your mind” (Matthew 22:37) requires at once a freeing of the mind in submission to God's Spirit and a conscious effort to infuse one's thoughts, aspirations, desires and energies with the Truth which only God can provide. Herein lies true freedom.
     Third, we must think because we are commanded to: “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” (Philippians 4:8).
     So, how exactly do we go about this thinking business? I believe it is not enough to simply sit and say “I am going to think now.” God is more interested in the quality of our thoughts than the quantity. God commands us to “stop thinking like children. In regard to evil, be infants, but in your thinking be adults” (1 Corinthians 14:20). There is clearly a progression from simplicity and ignorance toward a deeper knowledge of the will and character of God. We are to experience this growth of the mind, and make it a part of our lives: “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

Be a Skeptic

The thoughts we entertain as children are often more useful for developing the brain's thinking ability and imagination rather than for accomplishing any lasting, significant achievements. As adults - especially since we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, by whom we ought to be growing spiritually - we please God when we actively participate in quality thinking.
An obvious place to start is when listening to a speaker or reading a book that is delivering a message of some sort. We are not to blindly accept what is being presented, and we are certainly not expected to rely solely on others for our knowledge:

“Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11).

The Bereans were skeptics, not necessarily believing what Paul taught them until they had the chance to verify the truth for themselves. Perhaps they debated among themselves what Paul taught, and I am sure they disagreed with some of what Paul had to say. Remember that the canon of Scripture is a tiny portion of Paul's teachings. For years he preached and taught on a variety of topics, and the chances are he was not perfect in every word he said or every thought and opinion he offered. I hope he was challenged on occasion by the thinkers present in his audiences, and I trust that he learned from them. In this context, we are discussing spiritual truth in particular, but this applies to any pursuit of knowledge or truth.
How many of us, after hearing a message delivered by a pastor, will challenge him or her on some point with which we do not entirely agree? Those of us who do can be considered true thinkers, as long as the confrontation is in love and humility, with the expectation that he may actually be right and I wrong, or that there may exist two correct interpretations of the issue at hand. To think a faulty or illogical thought is not wrong, but to blindly demand that I am correct to the exclusion of all other interpretations, or to be proud or arrogant of my command of biblical truth is sin. Remember that being a skeptic can be a healthy thing, but taking any behavior to an extreme can cause you to lose focus on the true goal - to glorify Jesus Christ in our thought life.

Variety Is Key

Since I was a child, I have been fascinated by outer space. A couple years ago, I delved into astronomy and physics to such a depth that it kept me awake at night. The complexities of Big Bang theory, quantum physics, astronomical data regarding the age of the universe, and all the conflicting theories of origins swam through my head with such vigor that I became restless. I made the mistake of narrowing my thinking down too severely. Mind you, I am no scientist, and I study these subjects as an armchair enthusiast. Perhaps my lack of knowledge is what caused such a feeling of incompleteness in my mental wanderings.
     I made the decision to back off a little, and for many months forsook the topics of space and physics altogether in lieu of a pursuit of a deeper life with Christ. During that time, primarily due to certain crises in my life, God taught me things about grace and love that I had previously only known through head knowledge, but had never understood in my heart. It was a very beneficial time for me, spiritually and emotionally. Now I am able to resume my scientific studies, but I am sure to include a wide variety of readings.
     Variety is not only important, but also enjoyable. A couple years ago, I had the privilege of working with a man who had extensive knowledge of the Myers-Briggs personality typing system. After much discussion and counseling from him, I gained a tremendous appreciation for this method of describing human personality types. I eventually discovered that the Myers-Briggs system is simply a way of describing the various gifts God has individually bestowed on each of us. For instance, one of the personality types is described as “Life's Administrators”. Not coincidentally, administration is one of the spiritual gifts. Another is described as “An Inspiration to Others.” Lo and behold, exhortation is also a gift. Variety is indeed the spice of life, as my new grasp on this new topic demonstrated.
     While variety is crucial, it is also important that one organizes his or her thoughts into a cohesive structure which agrees with itself. This normally happens naturally and unnoticed, since we have a tendency to simply discard those things which are not consistent with our viewpoint, so that what remains naturally agrees with itself. However, it is important on occasion to take stock of everything swimming around in our heads, and to determine whether, as a whole, it all possesses certain qualities I would like to call balance and symmetry.

Balance and Symmetry

Constituting the link between the immaterial and spiritual part of man and the physical body with which he interfaces with the world, the human mind is exceedingly complex. To limit the exercise of the mind to a single topic or endeavor is shortsighted and ineffective. Variety is important, but our input should not be random and haphazard. A weightlifter will win no contests if he exercises only his biceps. Every muscle in his body must be vigorously exercised or he will lack balance and symmetry.
     First, a thought life that is balanced includes a desire to expand into previously unknown territories. This is not to say that all persons must be interested in quantum physics. There are many topics that simply will be meaningless to some thinkers. A lack of knowledge of some specific area of this universe has nothing to do with the quality of one's thinking. But a focus that is too narrow, especially one which excludes basic truths, is dangerous.
     I have never been a fan of fiction. I read perhaps one or two fiction books per year at most. However, of all the books I have read in my entire life, only one moved me to the point of bringing tears to my eyes Ò a book of fiction called Les Miserables. While this work is considered a historical novel, it is fiction nevertheless, and I feel that I have been significantly enriched by having read it. In this case, I was rewarded by forcing myself into a more balanced perspective.
     Second, a thought life which has symmetry implies that the various aspects of one's worldview are in harmony with one another. Let me present a train of thought that demonstrates a severe lack of symmetry. Certain evolutionists have concluded that the earth is not nearly old enough to have allowed macro evolution of complex organisms. In trying to avoid accountability to a Creator, they developed the theory of punctuated evolution, or gigantic and nearly instantaneous leaps forward in the complexity of organisms. This, ostensibly, explains the lack of transitional fossils.
     This thought process betrays a severe lack of symmetry, because the very theory of evolution itself is built upon extremely gradual change brought about by natural selection and mutation. These punctuated bursts forward in complexity are exactly the opposite of the premise of evolution, and exclude the possibility of any mutations or natural selection from taking place. This viewpoint lacks symmetry. The very term “punctuated evolution” is an oxymoron.
     I am sorry to say that the typical modern Christian worldview also lacks symmetry. The message of grace stands in stark contrast to the legalism rampant in many Christian circles today. Where we ought to see love and forgiveness, we create complex justifications for our bitterness. Where we ought to consider and explore different opinions we protect and maintain our narrow, dogmatic cultures. Where we ought to emulate the life of Christ, we continue in our traditions. Where we ought to be out there among those in need, bruising our spiritual shins, we protect ourselves in our own little Christian circles where it's safe and warm.
     Many Christians create such a narrow focus for themselves that they are paralyzed and become completely ineffective. For instance, some congregations focus purely on emotionalism, while others focus on nothing but praise. Brothers and sisters, when we gather together, we ought to exercise our minds and spirits by allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to us through His gifts. He has given each of us in the Body of Christ unique gifts that are perfectly suited for the edification of the Body. By inviting Him to do His work among us, we are assured of balance and symmetry in our thinking and in our relationships with one another.

Growth Through Thinking

The antithesis of thinking is watching network TV. I concede that there are good shows available on TV which are either educational, uplifting, or entertaining without being corrupt or immoral. The premise of the medium, however, is to provide an opportunity to put one's mind in neutral. On occasion, I appreciate the chance to shift into neutral for a while, but most in today's culture spend far too much time in such an idle state. Lethargy does not encourage equilibrium - a condition in which the individual neither advances nor retreats in his or her mental or emotional state. Rather, lethargy induces degeneration, a negative result of allowing one's mind to idle.
     This is not a treatise on the evils of TV; I have only used this as one example. The tragedy in America is that we as a society become more and more stressed and hurried in this life of anxiety, only so we have more time to be alone at home in front of the TV, or surfing the Internet, or fussing over the landscaping, or worshipping whatever idol we have used to replace the exercise of our gray matter.
     No single activity can become as beneficial to the mind and soul as proper thinking. The beauty of it is that the activity can be enjoyed in any of countless ways. Contemplation in a quiet and serene setting is perhaps one of the more popular visions of what it means to think, but also a spirited discussion with close friends, especially concerning a subject on which you disagree, is very healthy. Conversations with strangers (as long as they're willing to participate) in an airport or waiting room can introduce you to new and interesting pursuits. A hobby that includes some creative or artistic endeavor can greatly expand the horizons of one's being. Anything to expand or challenge the mind, spirit, or emotions can qualify as good thinking.
     It saddens my heart to witness the shallow, meaningless drivel we often use to fill our times of conversation. I have had the distinct privilege of communion with a few people who share my convictions about pursuing a deeper knowledge of life and truth, and I consider these opportunities to be priceless. It is a shame to squander a chance to discover some gem of truth in the mundane, to squeeze out a nugget of gold, no matter how tiny, with a friend who is willing to help explore the depths of a particular topic. Truth is much deeper and much more pervasive than most of us realize, and we can each spend a lifetime sifting these gems from the bland soil of life.
     The growth of our thought life can contribute to our lives in untold ways, allowing new opportunities to present themselves. New career possibilities, new positions of ministry, new hobbies, or simply the ability to intelligently converse on a variety of topics are all possible rewards of good thinking habits. More importantly, however, is the increased ability for one to minister to the needs of others. A vital mind is an invitation to minister to a wider variety of individuals who are experiencing a wide variety of problems and challenges. This, finally, is the crowning glory of a life rich in thought, passion and energy.

Thinking as Ministry

We might define the word “ministry” as the ability to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual or mental needs of others we come in contact with. Those who spend all their time in neutral have no weapons in their arsenal with which to meet the needs of fellow sufferers. Having not experienced successes, failures, dichotomies and paradoxes, they are unable to relate to those who are struggling with the often contradictory and confusing situations life throws at them.
By having wide horizons; by having a balanced and symmetrical thought life; by possessing insight and understanding; by growing in wisdom and knowledge; by attaining maturity and stability in our emotional life and in our thinking processes; this is how we become adequately equipped not only to minister to others in the appropriate manner, but to allow others to better minister to us in our time of need. Such a balanced life is more enjoyable, more enriching, less stressful and less painful than one in which the thought life is unprepared, undisciplined and lazy.

Conclusion

Try thinking. Think before you speak. Think about things you often take for granted. Ask God to renew your mind, and He will answer. Thinking is one of the greatest and noblest forms of worship, since we are communing with others and with God with the very medium in which we most resemble him.

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