Pharisees say “Don’t think!”
A manipulative person says “I will think for you—listen ONLY to me.” A spiritual leader leads you to think biblically for yourself, with discernment.
“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men…” (Matthew 23:13)
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9)
Jesus says, “Think deeply!”
Come and see! Search the scriptures—see for yourself! Jesus is not afraid of your questions. He expects you to use the brain that He created.
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)
“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)
Apostles Paul and Peter say, “Think out loud with others!”
Dogma demands that we quit thinking. Dialogue invites us to increase our thinking and deepen our faith with solid logic and truth.
“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,” (Acts 17:2)
“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” (Acts 24:25)
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” (1 Peter 3:15)
A few questions worthy of consideration:
Are you afraid to think or to let others think? Why? Is your belief threatened by thought? Biblical truth thrives with deeper thought.
Is someone else asking you not to think? Why? What do they have to lose? Be sure Jesus is your Lord.
Are you thinking biblically and willing to be honest with Jesus, with the scriptures, and with yourself?
Are you threatened by those who think? Do the questions of others irritate you? Why? What does this say about your belief system or position?
Are you leading others to think biblically and become deeply grounded in their own faith? Or are you trying to do their thinking and expecting them to follow? Intellectual or emotional dependence makes for a very weak faith.
Are you equipped to reason intelligently and persuasively about Jesus and His truth? God calls us to reason, or to dialogue—to “think out loud” with people about intelligent gospel truths.
Thinking is a great gift! Don’t let others do your thinking. Don’t try to think for others. Don’t be afraid to think. Don’t be afraid to help others think biblically.
In closing, God gives a principle to protect you from any “one person” doing the thinking for you.
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)
“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” (Proverbs 15:22)
“For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Proverbs 24:6)
Who’s doing your thinking?
Hopefully your answer is JESUS!
