Think Before

(by Bill Stevenson, October 6, 2004

While waiting in a doctor’s office, a wonderful understanding came to me. For about 2
months, I have been thinking about how a true Christian should be able to discern thoughts that
come to his or her mind before acting on them. But two surgeries interrupted me from
developing the Bible study and essay. This morning, I received the final concept for it. My
mother used to say, “Taste the words before they come out of your mind”. I also remember, “If
you are angry, count ten seconds (one-a-thousand, two-a-thousand, three-a-thousand, etc.) before
responding.” Have you heard the saying, “Haste usually makes waste”? Also, assuming things
about others or a situation can get us in trouble too. What does Proverbs 3:5-6 guarantee and
how does it relate to the Holy Spirit?
One of the major purposes of the Bible is to show God’s wonderful love via the reports of
His wonderful works and miracles. It was manifested in human form by His only Begotten Son,
Who had to die and pay the death penalty for breaking God’s Law. (See John 3:16-17 and Isaiah
53) God’s unselfish, forever love is supposed to be in true Christians because it is the main “fruit
of the Spirit”. (See Galatians 22-26) All of the spokesmen for God in the Bible basically said,
“Repent”. That requires confession of wrong and choosing to eliminate bad habits and replacing
them with good habits which lead to increasing Christ-likeness-- sanctification. 1 John 1:9 and
Romans 14:17 indicate that a true Christian should confess wrong as the Holy Spirit and the
Bible urges, accept God’s forgiveness and Holy Spirit-led cleansing towards righteousness, and
then God gives him or her wonderful peace and joy feelings-- the Kingdom of God for now.
Haven’t you felt peace or/and joy when you confess a mistake to someone you said or did wrong
to?
So what does the above have to do with knowing what to say or do when thoughts come to
our minds. Go back to what my mother said about tasting words before they come out of the
mouth. When one is building a house, he or she uses a plumb line or leveler to determine
straightness. We should use our knowledge of Scripture (especially the New Testament) to test
whatever thoughts come to mind before we act. The following tests for each thought came to my
mind this morning: It could be the tough love forms in Biblical warning, exhortation, or rebuke.
What will the thought said or done possibly result in? Does the thought indicate God’s special
unselfish and compassionate love? If said or done, will it persuade the recipient(s) to praise God
more or will it possible result in peace or/and joy? But peace achieved by compromising
convictions is wrong and the joy just mentioned is the result from unselfish actions and is
different than secular happiness due to others’ words or/and actions.
Therefore, the key words for this thought testing are love, peace, and joy. If a thought does
not pass the above indicated tests in relation to those three words, then no statements or actions
should be done and the thought should be completely rejected. The Holy Spirit will never give
thoughts that don’t pass those tests; thoughts from selfishness and the spiritual enemies will not
pass those tests. So take time to think before you respond to any thought that comes to your
mind. It won’t take very long. Most of the time a Biblical concept should come to mind
immediately. If it doesn’t in your life, do my Bible study courses; they will give you many of the
Biblical concepts which please God.