AVIZANDUM: Think!

Avizandam In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective. and take matters Abyssendum. One of the dimensions of being made in the image of God is that we as human beings have the ability to reason. As a result of the fall, our thinking becomes futile.

and their foolish hearts are darkened, as Paul says in Romans 1. Sin impacts every part of our being, including our thinking. This is why highly intelligent people still do very foolish things. But Christ's followers are being transformed. Either renewal of our minds as Romans twelve verse two.

Paul exhorts us not to be conformed to the world, but to be but to be transformed. by the renewal of our minds. Therefore, Christians are to be good thinkers. This doesn't mean that we all become intellectuals or master logicians. But it does mean that as we read the word of God and look to Jesus we more and more have the mind of Christ.

It seems apparent that many professing Christians take her cue from and are influenced by social media. If we're spending hours each week scrolling through all of the views and opinions, which are often uninformed, biased, and even hateful, no wonder our thinking becomes distorted. When I began my law career at Edmund University, I was told I was going to be trained to think as an attorney. As followers of Jesus, We are to be trained to think in a way which glorifies our God. how quickly we adopt the arguments, the prejudices, and the viewpoints of unbelievers on a particular subject.

A healthy scepticism is a good thing. I'm not arguing for a cynicism. but to put the views of unbelievers Through the filter of a mind which seeks to glorify God. You've heard the cliche that we're to think outside of the box. I'm not sure what that really means.

I believe we should just think. whether that be in the box or out of the box. God has given us minds. and with our minds, We're to love the Lord our God. supremely and totally.

So, how is your thinking? Spiritual wisdom, understanding, and good thinking come from from living in the fear of the Lord, and turning from all evil. Proverbs encourages us to pursue wisdom. and to seek the Lord. Through corporate worship, reading the Word of God, prayer, Christian Fellowship.

Listening to biblical exposition. Our minds are being transformed. Instead of getting our information from the gutter, We will think on things which are honourable, Pure. Lovely. commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.

as Paul brilliantly describes in Philippians four, verse eight, Teach your children not just to accept what they hear or read or see. teach them to think with the mind of Christ.

so with all of the information flooding into her brains. A good test is to ask What would Jesus think of this? What would he say about this? How would Jesus respond? The crowds marvelled at the gracious words which proceeded from his lips.

Taking time to reflect and to think, prevents us jumping to conclusions.

Solowing the latest viewpoint. drinking the Kool Aid of the latest trend. Let us present our minds to our great God, and think in a way which glorifies him and encourages others.

So, the next time you're thinking of posting something on social media, or pontificating about a subject. Think with the mind of Christ. Evasunda. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.