Our minds are easily blinded by our perceived abilities. In ourselves, we believe our thoughts are trustworthy, but self-deception is top-of-the-menu for those impressed by their own thoughts. The best we can do is seek an exchange of our thoughts and way for God’s own.Observations & Conclusions:
1. God has designed our minds with extraordinary abilities
| Finite Ability | Natural Disorder | Moral Corruption | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metacognition | Confusion | Egocentrism |
| 2 | Imagination | Fickle | Depravity |
| 3 | Memory | Forgetfulness | Resentment |
| 4 | Perception | Misinterpretation | Prejudice |
| 5 | Reasoning | Insufficient Data | Rationalization |
| 6 | Communication | Limitations | Deception |
| 7 | Volition | Indecision | Idolatry |
2. God’s thoughts transcend the limitations of our minds
- God’s knowledge is exhaustive
- God’s knowledge is perfectly consistent with His nature
- God’s knowledge is incorruptible
- God’s knowledge has complete authority
3. God calls us to exchange our thoughts for His
Application:
- Respond to God’s knowledge with humility, confidence, & contentment
- Then pursue God’s thoughts
1. Examine Creation
2. Study, Trust, & Obey God’s Word
3. Renew your mind - Rest with assurance that God knows
Psalm 139:1-4
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”
Luke 11:11-13
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Romans 2:11
“God shows no favoritism.”
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things.”
Psalm 131
“My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Isaiah 40:25-26
“To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”
Romans 1:19-20
“What may be known about God is plain, because God has made it plain. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.