PLEASE, DON’T STOP THINKING

I recently read an article by Dr. James Emery White entitled “The Last Book Read.” The main thrust of his article was focused on a trend among many people, including pastors, who are influenced by the last book read, the last conference attended, or the last church visited. He examined how these “last” experiences have shaped many people’s thinking and strategizing more than careful thought and assessment of what is good and right. The problem, as Pastor White points out, is that such people tend to be highly impressionable rather than real thinkers.

I admit I have been guilty of such impressionable reactions about trends and strategies myself. But I’m not alone. I know many Christians with a lack of careful judgment and discernment in so many things. How easy it is to get caught up in the stirring rhetoric of a charismatic speaker and buy into what seems like good stuff without asking whether it’s useful and profitable. Does it truly align with God’s Word? Even if it is based upon a bible text, is it a correct understanding of the text? Does it rightly reflect what God would ask me to do?  Is it of man or God?

How many of us are more easily moved by the latest trends, strategies, or actions proposed by people of influence than by the Spirit? Are you predisposed toward accurately evaluating what you’re hearing in light of biblical truth, or toward an emotional reaction about something that feels appealing? Spirit-led intentionality does not lead us to accept any and every new idea that comes along, but to stop and think. 

This is not an issue found only among church or ministry leaders stricken by the latest trend. It’s prevalent among many Christians in general. Too many of us are shaped more by the latest podcast, book, webinar, or conference than by the Word of God and real critical thinking. To be a critical thinker is not the same as being critical. Critical people are always looking for what’s wrong. Critical thinkers critique what they hear by taking a step back and asking the Spirit of God to give wisdom and discernment. Is this of the Lord or of men? Even if it is true and good, is it wise? Will it give glory to God or me?

Please understand. I am not saying we shouldn’t attend conferences or that we must stop listening to podcasts. I do conferences and some podcasts. What I’m saying is that we must engage our minds as critical thinkers who measure everything we read or hear against the true north of God’s Word. Culture does not dictate what is true. Nor do Christian authors, speakers, or teachers. Only God does. He also offers wisdom for the task. But…, if we spend more of our time listening to men than to God, wisdom will soon flee from us.

Paul told Timothy to “guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you…” (2 Tim. 1:14). But Paul didn’t leave that up to human intuition or “open mindedness” alone. He also challenged Timothy to guard that deposit “with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 

So, in whatever generation we belong, it is incumbent upon us all to carefully guard our hearts and minds from mindless, impressionable vulnerability to influences which shape the decisions we make, and the people we impact. We must always learn and listen, but also be discerning. 

As Pastor White suggests, “Keep reading and attending. Just keep thinking while you do.”