Think, People!

I know I quote Tozer quite often, but I cannot think of another twentieth-century saint who I could recommend more highly. I have read just about all his books, and I am currently doing a daily devotional that has excerpts from his writings and his radio programs. What surprises and saddens me is how prescient he was. He wrote in the mid-twentieth century, but as we approach his centennial, his words are too poignant. Take this example:

“I think there is no argument but what a willfully lazy man is a sinful man! It follows, then, in my estimation, that a person who is intellectually lazy is a sinful person. God had a reason for giving us our heads with intellectual capacity for thinking and reasoning and considering. But what a great company of humans there are who refuse to use their heads and many of these are Christians, we must confess. We would stagger if we knew how much damage ordinary, everyday average people create because they are mentally lazy, thoughtless with ideas, or careless with their actions. “‘The essence of evil is its refusal to think.”’ (Hannah Arendt, as cited by A.W. Tozer.)

At first, I thought Arendt may have gone too far in making intellectual laziness the “essence of evil.” But as I thought a little more, I realized that the entrance of sin into the Garden of Eden might have been blocked if Adam had taken a minute to think before accepting the forbidden fruit Eve offered him. The serpent had challenged Eve to think: “Did God say…” She apparently didn’t remember God’s words or had been deceived into thinking a little bite would be okay. The text in Genesis 3 seems to imply that after taking a bite, Eve turned to Adam and said, “Here; try some.” Without thinking, he bit.

People often don’t take the time to think things through or to form their own opinions; it's rather convenient to let others do the thinking for them. When the “others” include our sworn enemy, the consequences are likely to be disastrous. Like they were with Adam and Eve. The thrust of the entire book of Proverbs pushes the reader to get wisdom and understanding. That may not be an exact synonym for thinking, but I struggle to imagine a wise man who understands the times not being a thinking person.

As Tozer said, God gave us the capacity for intellectual discernment. I believe the intellect is one part of the human soul. Emotion and volition make up the rest. What we think, what we feel, and what we do are soulish, natural behaviors of all human beings. Because I have spent a great deal of effort in my last several posts encouraging believers to take account of the spiritual nature of our existence, I thought it would be a good idea to circle back and touch on the importance of making proper use of our redeemed natural impulses.

“Redeemed” is the important word in that last statement. Just as Eve was deceived and Adam was befuddled, we too can make important decisions using only our natural faculties and reap similar consequences. Think what happened to King Saul when he “thought” he knew best. Or David when he “felt” attracted to another man’s wife. Or Abraham when he “chose” to accept Hagar as a substitute for Sarah. Following their soulish, natural impulses rocked their world with results beyond their lifetimes, especially in Abraham’s case. The Ishmaelites are still stirring up the Middle East.

I wrote recently that natural talents offered in service to God are a necessary part of our effort to bring the kingdom of Heaven to earth as commanded. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be talented intellectually (being especially intelligent), it is your responsibility to use what thinking capacity you have to discern good from bad, right from wrong. If you are faced with a conundrum and you say you don’t think it’s right or you feel something is out of order, let those soulish inputs lead you to seek spiritual guidance. Go to the Word; go to a trusted friend; go to your pastor. Redeem your natural inclinations by bathing them in spiritual waters.

The natural behavior I have just recommended is in fact spiritual in effect. The many commands to be filled with the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, be led by the Spirit are fulfilled by the “renewing of your mind” which Paul encouraged. Paul often uses “mind” as a synonym for soul. The soul is that part of us that is being renewed day by day. It is our mind, heart, and will that are being sanctified as we become more conformed to the image of Christ. We don’t get a new mind or emotions or desires when we give our lives to Christ. What we do get is His covering for our soulish mistakes. He paid for them (all) on the Cross, but that does not give us license to avoid spiritual renewal.

Examples of non-thinking people are in abundance in our secular society. Why do people who are dissatisfied with their circumstances consistently burn down the only stores that might serve their needs? Why do people who are unhappy with the crime rate insist on defunding the police? Why do supposedly intelligent lawmakers continue to spend money they don’t have to fix our financial problems? Why do people who complain about fuel prices refuse to allow the development of American resources? I know those are mostly political, but try this: why do Christians who claim to serve the Savior live no differently from their pagan neighbors? I have to ask if anyone is thinking straight.

Tozer was right to say that many Christians suffer from intellectual laziness. Why are so many willing to let the Pope make their ethical decisions for them? Why do conservatives allow a liberal synod to make unbiblical pronouncements? Why do so many Christians want to escape the good earth that God created for them and go to “heaven” when they die when there is not one verse in the Bible that plainly states that idea? (That one might hurt.)

My early efforts to follow Christ were probably too intellectual. Bible college and seminary filled my head with valuable information which I used to bolster my faith – so I thought. One person, a stranger to me, said in a community prayer meeting that God told her that I was to be a witness to intellectuals. It took me some time before I came to the realization that no one will be brought to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ by intellectual means alone. If the Holy Spirit is not working through me – perhaps even using my intellect – my efforts are in vain.

Several times in recent weeks our pastor has insisted that we are unable to fulfill the demands Paul lays on Christians in Ephesians 4-6 unless we are redeemed, spirit-filled people. The same can be said of all biblical commands. That doesn’t mean we leave our brains at the door when we enter the church. It means our entire self must be submitted to the Lordship of Christ and the leading of His Spirit. So, use your head, but don’t put on your thinking cap. Instead, put on the helmet of salvation and think Christianly.

Here is something to think about: knowing how God poured out His wrath against apostate Israel, try to imagine how He might act toward an apostate church. (Hint: God always preserved a faithful remnant. Are you in the remnant today?)