THE IMPORTANCE OF THOUGHTS

The Apostle Paul, several times in his letters, speaks of the need for the Christian to be careful with his thoughts in order to have a holy life. To the Colossians he says, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (3:1,2). In fact, thinking has the power to create a world within the human mind. It elaborates fantasies which, if fed, generate desires and these can dominate man and lead him into sin.  

Of course, for a person who does not fear God this has no value, no meaning, because he lives in sin and is used to it. Many even believe that sin does not exist and therefore live in the bondage of their desires. It is in this sense that Paul writes to the Ephesians, "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath” (Ephesians 2:1-3).  

The Apostle to the Gentiles makes these recommendations because when a person meets God and is reached by his grace, the impact of that encounter transforms him and frees him from many sinful practices so that he becomes a new person (2 Corinthians 5:17). Although sin no longer has dominion over her and the strength to condemn her because God has forgiven her, her fallen nature still remains active.For this reason the Apostle says: "live no longer as the Gentiles, who live in the futility of their thoughts" (Ephesians 4:17).  

Paul insists on this orientation because the Christian no longer takes pleasure in sinning. He desires to live holy, but sometimes he sins and it brings him suffering. In this regard, he says of himself, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do... For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do —this I keep on doing" (Romans 7:15, 19).  For this reason he recommends the Christian to undress from the old man, who is corrupted by deceitful desires, to renew himself in the way of thinking and to clothe himself in the new man, created to be like God in righteousness and holiness from the truth (Ephesians 4:22-24).  

This question of thoughts is so strong in Paul that he writes to the Romans: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (12:2). This Pauline teaching (renewal of the mind) is totally aligned with the teaching of repentance, which was initiated by John the Baptist and continued by Jesus and then by the apostles.This word "repentance" is of Greek origin and means a new mind, a new mentality of life.  To repent is, therefore, to let go of the sinful life, to change direction and to turn to God. And Paul translates this teaching into the following words: "Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:1).

Antônio Maia - M. Div.

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