Thought for the Day

The word foolishness carries the meaning of trusting in one's own heart and mind. Planning our own way and leaving God out of those plans, is foolish indeed. The Bible tells us to trust in the Lord and not to rely on our own understanding: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil" (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Because only God is "all-knowing," He alone can lead us in the right pathway. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). The Lord tells us that His thoughts are higher than ours. That is why we need to allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds from conformity to the world and allow the mind of Christ to dwell in us. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2). "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). As our thoughts become holy and righteous, we will be able to reject carnal thinking, to cast down imaginations and any high thing that exalts itself against God and bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). We must ask God to cleanse our thought-lives to root out sin.

When the devil attempts to get us to believe a lie, we must, in faith, quote scripture that will offset and overcome that lie. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Submission to God is a heart-attitude, and it is revealed by obedience to His Word. To "resist the devil" means to refuse to cooperate with him. "Walking in the Spirit" means that we live in a state of prayer and obedience to the Holy Spirit. This really is not much different from walking with a friend. We become friends with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. We come to know Him through reading the Word and praying. God provided a way for us to be victorious, even when we fail and yield to temptation. We simply need to repent, confess our sin, and get back on the right track with Jesus; not allowing Satan to keep us away from God.

We must also guard against becoming a scoffer. This attitude will alienate us from other people. Nobody wants to be around someone who is continually railing against and mocking others. People who mock at sacred principles and responsibilities are an abomination to God and insulting to others.