Ideas

As I write this, the day is predicted to be sunny but partly cloudy. Clouds appear innocuous as they float through the sky. But they can also bring furious storms and disastrous destruction. They are like ideas that float through our minds.

Like clouds, ideas have a source, which primarily appears as innocent circumstantial conditions. But their source can also be stirred up by threatening changing atmospheric conditions. Their source is the determining factor. Ideas that come from God are based on established truth and reality, and they produce great fruit. His truth has endured unchanged throughout the millennia. However, ideas from Satan and company are based on imaginations that at first appear very appealing but will eventually morph into what will produce death and destruction.

Here’s how Paul described the source of these destructive ideas.  “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 (NLT2)

Interestingly, we will encounter both types of ideas, and it’s most critical that we discern the difference between them. John recorded the Holy Spirit’s explanation of a pre-rebirth state, observed in Jesus’ disciples. “By this he [Jesus] meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:39 (NIV). So, when Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am” (Mark 8:29), an idea from the Holy Spirit was dropped into Peter’s mind, and he blurted out, “You are the Christ.” However, we read soon after Peter had this idea from God, Satan dropped an idea into his mind. He then pulled Jesus aside and rebuked Him. (Mark 8:32) This shows Peter was not discerning one idea from the other. Unless our spirit is attuned to the Holy Spirit, we will make the same mistake Peter made.

Ideas that come from God are saturated with supernatural peace. They are based on a rock-solid, proven reality. Secular Humanism, actualized today as Progressivism, was man-generated with the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Progressivism has produced those who riot, burn and loot cities, confuse sexuality, and the like, including killing and assassination of the righteous, as just occurred with Charlie Kirk. Charlie, on the other hand, has distinctly shown us how admirable fruit comes from following the ideas coming from God. Sadly, too many in the church today have confusedly mixed the different sources of ideas. The results have been faint versions of Charlie Kirk, some more so than others.

This raises the question each of us must ask ourselves. Have I allowed myself to adopt human ideas rather than those coming from God? Possibly, the most important scale is how much I value my desires compared to God’s plans. Charlie Kirk’s complete surrender to God’s plans brought amazing results. Ironically, though costly, being an apprentice of Jesus is the sole path to a most fulfilling life. Charlie’s big and consistent  smile confirmed that. This is the life that experiences the authentic version of a healthy well-being and all that includes.

We all must frequently reconsider Jesus’ words, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?” Mark 8:36-37 (NLT2)

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