When we mature to the full measure of Christ as we are called to do (Ephesians 4:14), we walk in the light. For we have been urged to seek wisdom when we need it from Christ himself who would give it freely (James 1:5). With this wisdom, our minds and hearts are in line with the ‘true truths’ and our fruits will be from the best of who we can be in this life. “After all, it is the righteous or those seeking to be righteous who walk in the light. They show this through their characters and values.”[i] They continually think, decide and choose against a perfect measuring rod that’s biblically based—now part of their personalities—of whom they have become.
It may not surprise you when I say that my favorite Scriptures in the Bible besides John (3:16) about Jesus’ sacrificing so I can be saved are (1 Thessalonians 5:21, NASB) and (Acts 17:11). If we truly are to prevent ourselves from being ‘tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming,’ then to love these two Scriptures and practice them is where we all must start. The first says, “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good,” (1 Thess 5:21, NASB). The second encourages us to be unbiased listeners as it says, “[receive] the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so,” (Acts 17:11). These two Scriptures apply equally to conversations and sermons.
This means, when we have our own minds, we must not accept anything, information or ideas for granted or at face value. We must use our minds to reexamine and analyze any claim or doctrine and their basses. The mature minds do just this. Our reference points will be included in our philosophy of life or philosophical cosmos. We will no longer be agreeing because some authority says it is right or because it is the view of a majority or one that’s popular. No. When we agree or disagree, we do so respectfully based on the real truth we know in our spirits. We have our own minds and live by its assessments and judgements which are Christ-based. So please question the above views before agreeing or disagreeing.
[i] Riley, Christopher. How to Achieve True-self-enrichment, CREM Publishing House, Toronto, Canada, © 2019, pp. 190. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083PRN9DP/