As a Christian, you are called to be separate from the world and to think differently from the humanistic culture around you. In a world that constantly pressures you to conform, it is vital that you learn the art of contrary thinking. This mindset goes against the grain and challenges traditional ways of thinking, leading to freedom and success in life and ministry.
In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." This call to deny yourself and follow Christ goes against the popular belief that you should put yourself first and seek your own desires.
The art of contrary thinking in your daily life as a disciple of Christ means prioritizing the will of God above your own desires and the expectations of society.
In John 17:16, Jesus prayed for his disciples, saying, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." As a Christian, you are called to live in the world but not be of it in the sense of exchanging God's design for your life with the carnality and confusion of a lost and dying world. Moreover, this means that you must learn to think differently and challenge commonly accepted beliefs offered by a fallen world.
In a society where instant gratification and material success are valued, you are called to embrace God's purpose for your life and resist the devil's attempts to influence it through crowd thinking.
In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30), Jesus taught his disciples the importance of using your talents wisely and not being content with what you have been given. Rather than following the mentality of settling for mediocrity, Jesus encourages you to think differently and use your talents to the best of your abilities. This includes challenging yourself and taking risks for the kingdom of God.
Proverbs 27:17 states, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." This verse highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge and sharpen your thinking. As a Christian, you should seek out those who think differently than the world and are not afraid to go against the grain. These relationships can provide valuable insight and help you grow in faith.
In the book of Acts, you see the early Christians going against the popular beliefs and practices of their time. They embraced contrary thinking and spread the gospel despite facing opposition and persecution. This shows you that thinking differently and following God's will may not always be easy, but it can lead to great growth and impact.
In 1 Corinthians 1:27, Paul writes, "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." This verse reminds you that God often uses those who think differently and are considered foolish by the world to accomplish his purposes.
It is through your willingness to go against popular opinions and think outside the box that God can use you for his glory. The art of contrary thinking also applies to your spiritual life.
In Ephesians 6:12, Paul writes, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." The enemy tries to deceive you with his lies and worldly thinking, but as a disciple of Christ, you are called to think differently and stand firm in your faith.
In conclusion, as a Christian, you are called to think differently and embrace the art of contrary thinking. This means going against popular opinions and challenging wordly beliefs. It requires you to prioritize God's will above your own desires and the expectations of society. You must surround yourself with like-minded believers who can sharpen and challenge your thinking. And most importantly, you must stand firm in your faith and think contrary to the lies and deceptions of the enemy.
Finally, learn to embrace this art of bibilical thinking and use it to further God's kingdom and bring glory to His name.
Your partner,
(c) Apostle Jonas Clark
www.jonasclark.com
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