Examine

With all the scams and contradictory news stories out there do you ever speculate on what is true? Have you ever questioned where people come up with some of the crazy ideas that are prevalent these days? Doesn’t it seem like the ideas keep getting wilder by the moment? Have you considered that you are being programmed just like a computer?

The masses, including you and I have been and are being bombarded with information by the media, advertisements, schools and through our peers. That info is programming us, whether we realize it or not just like a computer is programmed by what it takes in. We are being indoctrinated day in and day out without being aware of it.

There are so many voices out there and they often contradict each other so how can we know the truth?

Since our beliefs are the basis for making daily decisions, we might say they are our compass. A compass shows us the way we should go therefore it is radically important that our compass is accurate for us to make the right decisions.

As a man thinks (true) in his heart (places value, estimates as true, reasons), so is he (so he responds in life). Proverbs 23:7

With all diligence, keep your heart (protected), for out of it (its reasoning, values) issue (comes forth) actions. Proverbs 4:23

For truth we must look to GOD and HIS word for it is written “let GOD be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4) GOD, cannot lie, (Titus 1:2).

JESUS highlighted this when while talking to GOD the FATHER HE said, “YOUR word is truth” (John 7:17).  Furthermore, JESUS told us, “Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of GOD” (Matthew 4:4).

For that reason, it is essential that the Bible is our compass. In these days of deception, we need to prayerfully EXAMINE what we believe and everything that is being said against the light of the truth, that is, how it lines up with the WORD of GOD which is the truth.

As GOD said in Isaiah 8:20, “To the law and to the testimony (the Bible): if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Hugs

Sharon Manning

Transforming

Our mind is like a computer.  How we program it determines what it does.  The Bible tells us that this world is programmed by the evil one (1 John 5:19, Ephesians 2:1-3). And we sure do see that in the media and even advertisements besides games and emails. 

While staying with a family that did a lot of cussing, I was shocked at myself when a cuss word came to mind in an irritating situation. .An old adage goes “Garbage in, garbage out.”

As believers in JESUS we are told “be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your MIND, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of GOD (Romans 12:2).

That Greek word phronéō (to THINK, exercise the MIND) is then used 4 times in Romans 12:3 in three different forms. “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to THINK of himself more highly than he ought to THINK, but to THINK with sober JUDGMENT, each according to the measure of faith that GOD has assigned.” (ESV)

This same word appears twice in Romans 12:16. “Be of the same MIND toward one another; do not be haughty in MIND (NASV).

The transformation of our lives begins and ends with a change in the way we THINK. For our mind is the battle ground.  That is why GOD has given us HIS Word so that we could learn what HE, our Heavenly FATHER, THINKS which shows us what HE is like and what HE values.  As the HOLY SPIRIT teaches believers in JESUS (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, 2 Corinthians 3:18) out of GOD’s Word we are changed little by little.

“For the Word of GOD is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a DISCERNER of the THOUGHTS and INTENTS of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

How are you programing your MIND?   Hmmmm

Hugs

Sharon