Fickle . . . are you? Let's think.

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/214cb707/fickle-are-you-lets-think-no-39-acts

People are fickle. Especially in their thinking.

Definition, fickle: Marked by lack of steadfastness,

constancy, or stability : given to erratic

changeableness. Yes, Mr. Merriam and

Miss Webster, you are correct!

Turns out, that is nothing new. Back on the scene in Turkey, Paul and Barnabas are spreading the good news of Jesus, and from the responses they get, we learn a lot. Why, these people were influenced first one way and then the other!

Captured by Luke in Acts 14, Paul heals a crippled man in Lystra and the crowd thinks their Greek gods must have come down in human form­­. They actually prepare to worship Paul and Barnabas, even bringing oxen to sacrifice to them.

Luke writes "Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,  ‘Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.  In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.’ Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them. [notice the fervor in favor of Paul and Barnabas]

But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe." vs. 12-20

First hailed as heroes, then zeroes. Paul is stoned and dragged out of the city to die.

How could the crowd be so easily influenced? Weak thinking. This retelling highlights how weak thinking can leave us vulnerable. One of Satan's best ploys is to make us question what we first believed and knew as truth. Remember his first words to Eve in Genesis 3, 'did God really say...?' Making her doubt God's words and intention, and what she knew to be true! Gaining access to a weak mind, the Enemy wreaks all kinds of havoc--­causing doubt, guilt, fear, anxiety--which serves to pull us down in so many ways, and change our priority of walking closely with God daily.

Friend, may I ask you: are you a good thinker, or better put, do you think well? Are you easily influenced? Hmmm. . . requires a little thought, doesn't it? I admit that I am influenced by the culture's view of what is physically beautiful­­, fit, thin, no facial flaws or imperfections, no visible signs of aging. . . and I'm sure my body type surely must have been meant for another era! Oh, yes, my thinking has been impacted. But then, how is it anyway that I should be so vain as to give any priority in my mind to these outward things?

That is the point, isn't it? What do I give priority in my mind? Do I manage my thoughts, or do they manage me?

The subject of good thinking is a topic I regularly visit because no other thing impacts us more than our thinking. We must be aware of our thoughts, and our thinking patterns, if we are to experience personal victory in our lives. An interview with self may be in order: How would you describe your thoughts?

_________________________________________________________________

What thoughts do you have that are pleasing to God?________________________________________________________________

Which thoughts are not?____________________________________________________________________

This was something to which Paul gave attention, writing, "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds..." Romans 12.2

What does "renewing" our minds mean? Making them like new. And what does this have to do with Paul, Barnabas and the people of Lystra? If the people were sure of their positions, ­­if they knew what they really thought­­ about Jesus­ Christ, ­about the miracles they saw performed by the apostles­, ­about talking with those who had been with the resurrected Messiah, well, they wouldn't have gone from wanting to worship Paul and Barnabas one day to stoning them several days later. They would not have been so easily dissuaded, persuaded or even just distracted from the truth of the message of Jesus Christ that Paul preached.

We are not much different­­... how easily we move from Jesus having first place in our lives­, ­wanting to honor God in what we say and do and think, to being caught up in busy­ness, and then losing our way. . .

Let us train our minds to think about those things that are true, noble, right and pure - remaining strong in the truths of God and His Word. Yes, let us be intentional about thinking on such things! 

Listen... please: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl4zQIcG6H8&list=RDxl4zQIcG6H8&start_radio=1

Think well. . . 

Christine

Acts, #39