I wonder sometimes if I have just swallowed hook, line and sinker the set of beliefs with which I’ve been brought up. The more I’m exposed to larger circles and hear how others think, the more I wonder if what I believe could really be right and the exclusive truth. I’m almost embarrassed over how simply I see the world. I guess I don’t know much about critical thinking. I think I need to step back and be much more open-minded than I have been and give myself permission to challenge my core beliefs.
Do you know where doubts originated? Do you know who first promoted open-mindedness and the expansion of your thought-life? Do you know who first shamed a person for their belief in God and politely belittled their relationship with God? Where did all this originate? Be sure of this – there’s a dark hellish hiss behind it all.
Read it again in Genesis 3. The world’s first university anti-god professor snared Eve in Eden’s lecture theatre with his dark philosophical mind-prodding presentation, skillfully designed to shake-to-the-core our first parents’ belief in God.
“Did God really say?” Eve had never entertained even the faintest thought of questioning God’s Word up until that point!
“If God is withholding a tree from you, then He must not be as good as you originally thought He was. You would be well-advised to rethink your entire mental construct of God. There may be solid reasons to doubt Him. Your narrow focus on God is certainly restricting you and stunting your development. Eat of this tree and you will see things from an entirely different perspective. You will be enlightened for sure. Would you like to become your own god and be self-sufficient? Call the shots yourself? Tempting? Go for it. Go ahead; reach out and take it!”
Satan is the founding Dean of this world’s godless school of higher thinking. Are you struggling with your thoughts of God? Has this skillful Dean been making inroads into the classroom of your life? Or, has one of his professors been assigned to instruct you in the broadening process of your mind?
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Locke, Nietzsche, Bertrand Russell, Richard Dawkins, etc. From the ancient past to our world
today, there have always been intellectuals, skeptics, humanists, philosophers, atheists, and agnostics, that the World’s Dean of Secular Learning has been able to employ in his dark plot against the Almighty God.
This post, by no means, belittles the value of higher learning or the contribution that brilliant minds have made in the past or are making today. Having said that, it is no secret that, over the centuries, the philosophies of mere creatures have not always been aligned with their Creator.
Look at this verse and see if it applies to your situation today:
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8
The late Eugene Peterson paraphrased that verse this way: “Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ.”
If you are being wowed or wooed by an unconverted philosopher or academic who is making inroads into your thinking, to the point you are waiting for the next podcast, post, video or book – beware! You are probably opening yourself up to an influence that the Apostle Paul warned about in Colossians 2:8 – a process that will ultimately lead you away from Christ. Never underestimate the stubborn resolve of the Devil or the strategic strikes of the enemy to cripple one’s love for Christ.
If you are struggling with what you believe; if you are scared over some of the thoughts that seem to be persistently plaguing your mind, then confide in a believer whom you respect and ask them for help. You do not need to be ashamed of the questions in your mind.
If you are having doubts about your own personal salvation read this resource on our site: Dark, Debilitating Doubts
There are excellent resources available to counter the attacks of secular intellectuals and mocking sinners. More importantly, immerse yourself in the Word of God and frequently call out to the Lord to strengthen your faith and confidence in Him and His Word.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ
Peter Ramsay
Outreach Vehicle Magnet Do you need a new free vehicle magnet? 9″X2.5”” (22.5cmX6cm) A quiet Gospel witness and a helpful tool to help Christian drivers curb their tendencies to exceed speed limits. Over the years, these magnets have worked. An inoffensive way to help promote the Gospel in traffic and parking lots. Unlike decals, magnets can be removed easily.
Tabernacle 101 Once-a-week-email study – short and to the point.
Personal Evangelism – Share-Christ Tip & Prayer Cards Get your free supply. Easy to carry.
Automatic Signatures work! If you include www.heaven4sure.com in your automatic email signature, you will increase the number of visitors to the Gospel site. This is particularly relevant if you are in contact with those who do not yet know Christ.
FACEBOOK or social media link to heaven4sure? Links really do work! People are finding the site through such links.
Facebook Twitter: pdr_heaven4sure