A. W. Tozer once wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Why did he believe this was true?
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deborahcave on June 4, 2009 at 9:55 am
I would have to disagree with that statement. Our hearts and minds cannot be trusted. The Bible says take captive every thought that does not conform to God and that our hearts are deceitfully wicked. What pops into our heads has to be tried against the word of God, what does He say. I personally don’t trust half the things I think about even when it comes to God, everything has to be tried against what His Word actually says is truth. Unless it is the Holy Spirit speaking God’s truth to me, i would never trust my fallen nature to tell me what is truth. God forbid!
tell_about_jesus on June 4, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I must agree with deborahcave. My first response would have been a different answer. But upon reflection, she is absolutely right. I can’t trust my mind for anything. All kinds of crap floods it day in and day out–sometimes it really scares me. Where do these thoughts even come from? I must run everything I think and do through the sieve of God’s Word. Is it right? Is it acceptable? Is it pleasing? Is it out in left field? This process is often quite frustrating. I don’t like what I see inside.
don1crawford on June 4, 2009 at 4:24 pm
If we are truly “born again” we have been raised together with Christ from Sin (Colosians 3:1). Colossians 3:2, “And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (AMP. Bible)
Perpective is predicated on our personal relationship with Christ. Collossians chapter 3 delineates in where we live, raised with Christ, focus on Christ, there by not focusing on our fleshly desires and attitudes. Christian lifestyle is based on Christ’s Values not Religious rules or Depraved Attititudes.
Collosians 3:10 and 12 talks about “clothing ourselves in Christ” which is a new spiritual self that is in the process of being renewed and practices a behavior that is consistant with Christian principles.
Collossians chapter 3 is an excellent passage to read. Christian Perpective is based on Christ in thought (mind), values (clothed in Christ), and behavior (lifestyle). Jesus death (shedding his blood), burial, and ressurection (rasied from the dead) provide the basis for us to focus in a victorious Christian Life. When we sin (following short of God’s Glorious standard) repent and refocus our mind (aim at and seek things from above where Christ dwells.
So “Let your mind be in Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” So what is on your mind now?
pluvialis sitio on June 6, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I have always loved this quote by Tozer. I have read the other comments, and I think I can see where they are comming from, but they may be missing the point. What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us because what we think about God is a reflection of where we are spiritually. Do you see God a strict authoritiarian, or a soft pushover? Do you see him as passive, or aggressive, strong or week? How we view God can and should be changing as we get to know him and draw closer to him. How we view God affects how we approach the christian faith and how we attempt to walk the christian walk. Sometimes when people tell me about something significant that is happening in their life (usually something tragic) I will ask them how it has changed their view of God.
I understand that out hearts cannot be trusted. I think Tozer would agree that what we think of when we think of God will never be acurate or “perfect” in this life. But it should be changing, maturing with us. So how do you view God? What things have happened in your life that have shapped your view of God? How does your view of God affect the way you view and interact with others?