WORTHLESS THOUGHTS ROSS SMITH
(ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED BIBLE UNLESS NOTED)
Ephesians 4:17 (ISV) Therefore, I tell you AND INSIST ON in the Lord not to live any longer like the gentiles live, THINKING WORTHLESS THOUGHTS.
Recall what the Psalmist had to say as the converse to this in Psalm 16:8 I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
When we engage in WORTHLESS THOUGHTS we cancel TIME AND OPPORTUNITY where Father could be instructing us.
So I need a starting point, how do I get beyond being a “Gentile” and live a life that is an evidence of a transformation?
It is interesting Paul does not say “change your ways/doings, HE SAYS CHANGE YOUR MINDS …. The rest will follow
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. Just like heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, both cannot be followed together; affection for things earthly will weaken and abate affection for things heavenly.
Philippians 4:8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
Easier said than done I hear you say, well there are other “keys” that can assist us here.
Proverbs 16:3 ROLL YOUR WORKS upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.
If we roll our works on would and as a result our thoughts are established and made agreeable to His will, then I do not need the pricks and goads, for I will begin to think like God thinks. I will then “WALK ACCURATELY”.
There is a subtle difference here in Proverbs to that which is found in:-
1 Peter 5:7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
Notice there are two processes involved here. (1) Proverbs says, “roll your Works” for what you are doing, (2) 1 Peter says “cast your cares” or what you are thinking.
How then did the Gentiles live? Well it was in that selfish state that is so unfamiliar to us. The “I, My, Me, Mine, Want, Wish, Wallow”.
1Thessalonians 4:5 Not [to be used] (verse 4 refers to our “body”… comments mine) in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL,
We do not qualify in this case because firstly we are not ignorant of the true God, and if we have “rolled our works on Him” and also “acknowledged him in all our ways” then we will certainly have knowledge of His will.
Ephesians 4:17 (AMP) So this I say and solemnly testify in [the name of] the Lord [as in His presence], (note the degree of boldness Paul evidences here) that you must no longer live as the heathen (the Gentiles) do in their perverseness [in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the FUTILITY] of their minds. (We will look at just one aspect)
Psalms 94:11 The LORD knows the thoughts of human beings—that they are FUTILE. –only a breath). The NET version says “morally bankrupt” Depleted of valuable qualities or characteristics.
1Corinthians 3:20 And again, The Lord knows the thoughts and reasonings of the [HUMANLY] WISE (!!!!!) and recognizes how FUTILE they are.
Romans 1:21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they BECAME FUTILE and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened.
THIS VERSE INFERS THAT “STUPIDITY” LEADS TO “FUTILITY”, THEY “BECAME”
“FUTILITY” Void of purpose or appropriateness. NEB says “Give up living like pagans, with their good for nothing notions”.
What a dangerous state to reach, Paul suggests there are those people who have known the truth but have chosen to follow after “vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations”. This verse sets down the pattern that will preserve us from the “FUTILITY” of trying to reach spiritual maturity through “mental gymnastics”.
Verse 20 in Romans 1 eliminates any potential for ambiguity by anyone claiming that God is not “recognisable”, for the whole of creation is choreographed in a manner to clearly identify God.
Romans 1:20 For ever since the creation (embedded) of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defence or justification. (There are no “becauses in Heaven and Ignorance is no plea)
Because we readily acknowledge God, we then have to be careful to fulfil Paul’s injunction to carry out three basic functions: –
1 Honour God ) )No where does this
2 Glorify God ) ROMANS 1:21 prev. page )include my “wants”
3 Give thanks to God ) )and wishes
Without these important functions we can become “Futile and godless in our thinking”.
The word “FUTILE” connotes worthlessness in that it serves no purpose, things are simply done in vain. Paul is quite literally speaking of worthless rationality. But notice that they BECAME, that is they have fallen into futile thinking.
In other words, this worthless thinking, worthless rationality, this futility was never the way it was supposed to be but rather, a direct result of the failure to give honor and thanks to God. Mankind was made in the image of God, and the Wisdom of God gave light to every man. Part of that light was an innate knowledge (a little bit of eternity in every man’s heart ….. Ecclesiastes 3:11) of God but man suppressed that knowledge, refused to give thanks or honor to God and subsequently BECAME FUTILE IN THEIR REASONING FACULTIES AS A RESULT
There is a difference between “FUTILITY” and “STUPIDITY”. I would suggest that STUPIDITY precedes FUTILITY, notice is says “Became Futile”. The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. We have seen that in politics stupidity is not a handicap!!!!
Jeremiah 10:8 But they are altogether irrational and stupid and foolish. Their instruction is given by idols who are but wood [it is a teaching of falsity, emptiness, futility]!
Jeremiah 10:14 Every man has become like a brute, irrational and stupid, without knowledge [of God]; every goldsmith is brought to shame by his graven idols; for his molten images are frauds and falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
“Vanity of mind” is more than just emptiness, it is moral wrong. The less Christian influence in a community the lower the moral standards.
One major difference between “FUTILITY” and “STUPIDITY” is that there is no rehabilitation for STUPIDITY, however we are given adequate direction throughout God’s Word how to rectify the way we think and therefore where we have allowed our thinking to become “FUTILE”, there is restoration.
STUPIDITY IS A CHOICE!!!
Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Romans 6:16 Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do HIS WILL, (we can interpret that to mean someone elses will, or more properly “OUR WILL” …. Comments mine) you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)? (That constitutes “STUPIDITY”)
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done.
“Worthless Thoughts” will result in “Worthless Words” which will result in “Worthless Results”, or even worse, a corrupted character, the pattern of our thoughts determines the pattern of our character.
Proverbs 14:23 In hard work there is always profit, but too much chattering leads to poverty.
Titus 3:9 But avoid stupid and foolish controversies and genealogies and dissensions and wrangling about the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile.
“CHATTER” To talk rapidly, incessantly, and on trivial subjects; jabber. Talk informally about unimportant matters. “WORTHLESS THOUGHTS”
Proverbs 23:7 A For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (or in other words, whatever our attitude, so our behaviour)
2 Chronicles 16:9 The LORD’S eyes keep on roaming throughout the earth, looking for those whose hearts completely belong to him, so that he may strongly support them. But because you have acted foolishly in this, from now on you will have wars.”
Matthew 15:19-20 For out of the heart (Attitude) come evil THOUGHTS (reasonings and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander, and irreverent speech. These are what make a man unclean and defile [him]; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean or defile [him]. (has consequences)
BAD ATTITUDES = BAD WORDS = BAD OUTCOME
AN AGILE MIND OFTEN LEADS TO A MOBILE MOUTH
Isaiah 55:7-9 Let the wicked forsake his way (Recall “thoughts are actions in rehearsal, and that’s the “wicked’s way”) and the unrighteous man (refer back to MATT 15:20 “UNCLEAN”) his THOUGHTS; and let him return to the Lord, (this is the “restoration” I spoke of) and He will have love, pity, and mercy for him, and to our God, for He will multiply to him His abundant pardon. (Lamentations 3) For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. (We can enter this realm when we begin to grasp “His Inconceivable Greatness”)
If we follow on to the next verse after our text in EPHESIANS 4:17 and get to verse 18:-
Ephesians 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of their ignorance (what is the antidote for “Ignorance”? STUDY) and hardness of heart. In other words there is no “light” penetrating and we tend to play church, because we have not got our minds set on things above.
We can do a quick check if we qualify, what have we complained about this week?
“Thoughts” in the economy of God, are no less important than the EXTERNAL DEPORTMENT. We need to abandon our erroneous opinions, or self-centred attitudes. If our heart/attitude is right, our thoughts will follow.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs],(“FUTILITY” … incapable of producing a result, or pointless) but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal (Notice it is not “Renovation” but “RENEWAL”) of your mind [by its NEW ideals and its NEW (Not even refurbished!!!) attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] ( this is where it starts, not showing off for others!!!) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in HIS sight FOR YOU]. (Remember what Proverbs 16:3 said about having acceptable thoughts?)
In a day and age where education has become a badge of honour, where you are unable to find employment in some institutions if you do not have a PhD, we have been taught, cajoled, pressured, intimidated … into the understanding that we have to be “lateral thinkers” to be successful. And so we have developed “mind power” until it has become the very stumbling block in our concept of God and what He is and stands for.
1 Corinthians 3:20 And again, The Lord knows the thoughts and reasonings of the [humanly] wise and recognizes how futile they are.
Now I am not saying that education is not required, I am saying that the education we pursue should have that overarching purpose of being able to glorify God, through our work, through our talents, through our ministry, but not making our “degree” the “distinguishing mark of a Christian”.
See how much emphasis the Psalmist, who by his very writings show a high calibre of learning, much of which I suggest was not at school but in meditation, as he pens the words:-
Psalm 94:11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are vain (empty and futile–only a breath).
Mat 16:23 But Jesus turned away from Peter and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! You are in My way [an offense and a hindrance and a snare to Me]; for you are minding (or “thinking worthless thoughts, like men do) what partakes not of the NATURE AND QUALITY OF GOD, (This is a good test) but of men.
1 Chronicles 28:9 And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] (this can only be achieved when we have God in the very forefront of our thinking) and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind. For the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts. (Would I be embarrassed if the Lord suddenly disclosed to all and sundry what Ross was thinking?) If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your FIRST AND VITAL NECESSITY] (It would be wise to identify our “distractions”) you will find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever!
We all have a tendency to let our minds wander, either fantasising about our next trip, meal, dress or suit, etc. etc., and it seems that the more I want to sit and contemplate the Lord the more my mind is inclined to go “walkabout”. But there is a remedy to these “worthless thoughts”:-
1 Corinthians 2:11 For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man’s thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
The spirit of a man knows the thoughts of that man, that is, a man is conscious of all the schemes, plans, and purposes, that pass in his own mind; and no man can know these things but himself. There are some exceptions!!!!
We take comfort in the fact that people don’t know what we are thinking, but that is not always the case, and I am not referring her to that revelation or insight where the Lord might sometimes enlightens us with a “word of knowledge”, particularly relevant to mothers”, but we can sometimes read a person’s mind by their behaviour.
If you walk by me and snub me, don’t you know I realise what you are thinking!!!! No one knows what I am thinking until I act, then they recognise my “fruit”.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them (or can’t think about them) [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. (My shortened version says “HE IS STUPID”)
Romans 8:6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] (or call them for what they are, “WORTHLESS THOUGHTS”) is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].
Sometimes I amaze myself when I engage in a thinking process which is in competition with the mind of the spirit, and it is easy to identify that it is my thought pattern because it generally involves “what I want/need”. In my heart I know that he has already said in:-
Matthew 6:8 Don’t be like them, (the gentiles … comments mine) because your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
However like most of us I feel much better if I can remind the Lord of the things that are of concern to me just in case he has forgotten or overlooked the matter. So I must concede that my thoughts could appear before him as perverse, and quite puerile. He has already alerted me: –
Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts”.
It is only as we are able to escape the futility of our thoughts, or those worthless thoughts, and begin to submit our minds and our hearts to the renovation carried out by the Holy Spirit that we will begin to understand that Father has it all in hand.
2 Corinthians 10:5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
Ross Smith 