November 16, 2025

Minding Your Thoughts

A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life

Acts 28:22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

The Apostle Paul is in Rome where he meets with the chief of the Jews. During this meeting these Jewish rulers asked him the above question in relation to those who believe in Jesus as the Christ. In today’s vernacular they said to him, “We want to hear what you think…”  To a preacher this is like saying, “Sic ‘em” to a bulldog.”  They then scheduled a day in which Paul would expound upon this “new sect.” From morning to evening Paul presented unto them Jesus, he used the Law of Moses, he used the Old Testament prophets, no doubt he pleaded with them to become believers. Some did, and some did not, such is the response to preaching; some believe and some reject.

“What do you think about Christ?”  If someone were to ask you, could you tell them? Could you use the New Testament Gospels to prove what you think about Christ? How about the epistles, the Pentateuch, the books of History, the Prophets, or the book of Revelation? Is that which you think concerning Christ based solely on the Word of God?

All year we have been discussing thoughts, thinking, and the mind. Remember the phrase, “What you think of Christ is the test of your state and your scheme, for you cannot think right of the rest unless you first think right of Him.”  This is a portion of a poem I shared with you months ago.

When I was a young boy my mom gave me a children’s book called “The Bear Scouts.”  It was about a boy bear whose dad, Papa Bear, volunteered to take his scout den camping. Upon every challenge: crossing a river, dealing with bees, hiking through difficult terrain, cooking, setting up a tent, etc., Papa Bear did things his way. The boys kept saying “But the book says,” speaking of their Bear Scout Handbook. Papa Bear would scorn “the book.”  But his way always led to calamity, their way was always safe and proper. At the end of the book Papa Bear is laying at the foot of a high cliff having fallen off the trail. He was bloodied, beaten, bee stung, wet, hungry, and altogether broken. He called for the boys and made a special plea for them to “Bring that Book!” 

When it comes to Christ, stick to the Book. When in trouble, remember Papa Bear and call for help from someone who will faithfully “Bring that Book.”  From it you can learn all that is safe and proper in personal conduct, and most assuredly you can learn all that the Lord God wants you to know about Him.

May the Lord bless and be pleased with your thought life today.

Dr. William Howe