Today I’d like to share the first in a series of 5-minute devotionals. These will be just brief thoughts on a verse, subject or concept, something to think about or chew on. If you have a question that might make a good 5-minute devo, feel free to ask it in the comments section and I’ll feature some of them in future posts.

So, to kick off this series, today’s devo is Why We Can’t Think Straight.

Why We Can’t Think Straight

In Romans 1 the Apostle Paul tells us that creation itself witnesses to the reality of God. Paul says, “His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” He goes on in verse 21 to share this sad truth about mankind apart from God:

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

The fall of man not only separated us from God and brought a curse on the physical world, but sin affected the way we think and reason. Theologians call it the noetic effect of sin.

Our ability to think and reason has not been destroyed but it has been severely damaged. And apart from a relationship with Christ, our faulty thinking will eventually lead to futility and darkness. When our sinful condition is coupled with sinful thoughts, words, and actions, the effect is doubly-blinding.

Why We Need God’s Word

That’s why, even as believer’s, it’s so important for us to renew our minds by hearing, reading, studying, memorizing and meditating on God’s Word (Rom. 12.2; Eph. 4.23; Josh. 1.8; Ps. 119.9, 11).

Sin can easily blind us (Ezek. 14.1-7) and hurt our relationships with God. It can also keep us from seeing our part in problems with others (Matt. 7.3-5). We can be completely blinded to our own foolishness and selfishness and, in fact, feel perfectly justified in how we act.

It’s the reason we’re constantly reminded to weigh everything against the Word (1 Cor. 11.27-28; Gal. 6.4).

It’s, also, the reason false doctrines can be so dangerous. The longer we believe a lie, no matter how illogical to others, the more sense it makes to us. We need to constantly examine our thoughts in light of Scripture, keep ourselves accountable to others, and listen prayerfully when someone challenges our thinking. It doesn’t mean we flip-flop every time someone questions our beliefs, but neither should we dismiss criticism out of hand without making sure our beliefs are biblical.

Created in His Image

God created us in His image and allowed us to be thinking beings.  And even though that image has been marred by sin, He hasn’t left us without help. He’s given us His Word to renew our minds, the right to pray and seek His wisdom, and His Holy Spirit indwelling and teaching us. Let’s not squander any of His divine resources and the opportunity we have to reflect His light to a lost and dark world.

This Past Week

This past week we have covered everything from how we justify not obeying God’s Word, the importance of good doctrine, presumptuous sins, how our whining keeps us from shining God’s light into a dark world, and how delayed obedience = disobedience.

Tomorrow we’ll talk a little more about the fact that we will all live forever. The question is … where? Will it be in a place of eternal punishment, where Jesus said there is fire that’s never quenched and the worm doesn’t die? Or will we spend eternity in the presence of God where He will wipe away every tear and where there will be no sorrow or pain?

And over the coming week, we will discover the way to perfect peace, look at the nature of strongholds, talk about the most powerful force in the world, look at the cost of turning our backs on God and the 5 reasons God allows thorns in our lives. We will also discuss the all-important question, “Is your faith genuine?”

I hope you’ll join us. You can sign up here so you don’t miss any.

Blessings,
Donna

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