The Spiritual Life #22 - Faith to Say

     Believers are called to engage in various mental activities that align our thoughts with God’s will and deepen our spiritual lives. These activities are essential for spiritual growth, discernment, and maintaining a Christ-centered mindset. One key mental activity is the renewing of the mind, where we are instructed to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2). This involves rejecting worldly patterns of thought and embracing God’s perspectives. Additionally, we are encouraged to meditate on Scripture, allowing it to permeate our minds and influence our words and actions. God’s Word describes the righteous person, whose “delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psa 1:2). Here is a function of the mind, one that is in constant need of recalibration that adjusts to the perfect standard of God’s Word.

     Believers are also called to take every thought captive to obey Christ, ensuring that our mental life is disciplined and aligned with God’s truth. Paul wrote, “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). This requires vigilance in guarding against thoughts that are contrary to God’s will. God’s Word reveals that spiritual warfare begins in the mind, and that the “speculations” and “every lofty thing” refer to human philosophies, false ideologies, and Satanic deceptions that challenge biblical truth. The discipline of “taking every thought captive” means actively using the mind, strengthened by Bible doctrine, to imprison false ideas that undermine divine viewpoint thinking. This verse highlights our responsibility to protect our mental framework from worldly thinking and to consistently apply doctrinal truth, making each thought obedient to the Word of God. The “obedience of Christ” signifies the application of Bible doctrine, bringing our thoughts into harmony with divine revelation as obedient-to-the-Word believers.

     Furthermore, we are instructed to focus our minds on heavenly things rather than earthly concerns. Paul wrote, “Since you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col 3:1-2). This mental activity involves prioritizing eternal values over temporary, worldly matters. Paul wrote, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Phi 4:8). To “dwell on these things” means we intentionally focus our thoughts in a particular direction; namely, on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, of excellence, and worthy of praise. Peter tell Christians to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7). This is a mental function of giving our concerns to God and letting Him deal with those things that are beyond our capability.

     In addition, we are called to guard our hearts and minds. Solomon wrote, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Prov 4:23). Other translations read: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Prov 4:23 NIV), and “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Prov 4:23 NLT). The Hebrew concept of the heart (לֵב leb) is the total inner person; which includes the mind and will. It is the base of operations which determines the course of life. We are also commanded to maintain a mindset of joy, regardless of circumstances, as Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil 4:4). Filling the mind with God’s Word is another essential activity, as Paul said, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you” (Col 3:16a). This means implanting Scripture so that it permeates all our thoughts. And we are encouraged to seek wisdom from God, asking Him to guide our thoughts and decisions. James wrote, “if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (Jam 1:5). This involves a humble reliance on God for insight and understanding. Altogether, these mental activities are vital for spiritual maturity, helping us align our thoughts with God’s truth, develop a Christ-centered mindset, and live out our faith in practical ways.

Faith to Say

     When God’s Word controls our thinking, our speech will reveal it, “For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart” (Matt 12:34). Scripture emphasizes the power of words, both for good and for harm, as Solomon wrote, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21a). Sometimes God’s people are to say nothing, for “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Prov 10:19), and “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent” (Prov 17:28). Solomon said there is “a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Eccl 3:7b). Sometimes, this act of faith means refraining from speaking altogether, especially when emotions are high or when silence is more in line with godly wisdom (Jam 1:19).

     The wise believer thinks before speaking, for “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer” (Prov 15:28a). John Kitchen states, “The idea here is that a righteous man does not respond quickly to a question or a rebuff. Rather, he takes the comment or question in. He considers it. He weighs his answer. He responds from the strength of contemplation, rather than from the weakness of immediate emotion.”^[1] In all situations, “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition” (2 Tim 2:24-25a).

     When it’s time to speak, Scripture should guide our words so that we speak truthfully, lovingly, and wisely. When we are walking by faith, our speech will be governed by divine viewpoint rather than human viewpoint or flaring emotions. Paul wrote, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:29). Here, the call to action is in our speech, ensuring that our words build others up and reflect God’s love and truth. Thomas Constable said, “Christians should use words to build up people (‘for edification’) rather than to tear them down. Words can give grace (help) in the sense that they can communicate encouragement and direction and thus enable the hearer to do right.”^[2] Paul wrote, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Col 4:6). Osborne notes, “In Colossians 4:6 Paul’s reference is to a life that makes an impact on the world, to speech that draws people to God…Our discussions and even our small talk with ‘outsiders’ ought to be carefully crafted to draw people to ourselves—and through us to the God who has saved us and wants to save them too.”^[3] In this, Christians are to be “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pet 3:15). These are actions of speech that benefit others, and they are executed by faith and not feelings.

     Encouraging speech is vital for uplifting others and promoting unity within the body of Christ (Heb 10:24-25). Additionally, grateful speech reflects a heart that recognizes God’s blessings, as Paul wrote, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col 3:17). Paul also wrote, “Do all things without complaining or arguing” (Phil 2:14) and “Be hospitable to one another without complaint” (1 Pet 4:9). Instead, by faith, we “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; and in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Th 5:16-18). The mind that is soaked with God’s Word will manifest itself “with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16b).

Dr. Steven R. Cook

 

^[1] John A. Kitchen, Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary, Mentor Commentaries (Fearn, Ross-shire, Great Britain: Mentor, 2006), 342.

^[2] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Eph 4:29.

^[3] Grant R. Osborne, Colossians & Philemon: Verse by Verse, Osborne New Testament Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016), 134–135.