I get equally amused and frustrated at status updates on Facebook and on Twitter. There seems to be an unending supply of diminished intelligence that flows from the mouths of seemingly thoughtful individuals.
Was that vague? What am I referring to? The power of positive thinking.
The allure of positive thinking is not wrong but it is misleading. And what's worse is that there are people who are convinced that simply taking on a posture of new or different thoughts will actually reshape society or change the world.
Now, to clarify, I do actually believe that our minds and our words are very, VERY powerful. I also believe that re-forming our thought life can have positive influence in our lives. Remember my post about how love is a decision of sacrifice and not just a feeling?
I just want to make sure you're following me on this so far because I am going to take some latitude on overstating my point to make a point.
Positive thinking as a methodology and framework for change is simply a means, not an end. It is a compass that points us to the true source of changed lives, not the destination. Positive thinking only serves to reveal the true nature of our ultimate depravity and unveils a deeper rooted problem with humanity... the heart.
"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Luke 6:45
This particular part is worth repeating, "For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." The mind responds to the heart. Another way of saying this is that the heart formulates the framework and foundation with which the mind constructs thoughts. The heart gives the mind boundaries and serves as a reference point and guidepost for the thoughts.
Our heart is the engine that powers the mind and the mind can only think and speak what the heart allows it.
This is why simply making a shift in consciousness or trying to think differently does not actually have lasting impact in this world or in our lives. While they will have a temporary, positive influence, if our hearts are not transformed into something new then our minds will always be impeded by the capacity of our heart.
Have your heart changed, change the world. This is key. What we REALLY need is not to change our minds but to have a heart transplant.
"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God." Ezekiel 11:19-20
We need new hearts that no longer restrict our minds to the pattern of this world. Once we have a new heart, then our minds will begin to transform or re-form how we think and act. We will see that the things we think about are somehow unrestricted in how we view others. We will experience freedom and life.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
Notice the significance of this Scripture... this transformation of the mind comes 12 chapters into the book of Romans. The heart in all its failings, depravity and self-absorbed intentions is uncovered and laid bare by the author of Romans. This renewal of the mind comes after this heart condition of the human dilemma is exposed. After discovering that our trying to do good to earn God's favor is debunked. After our struggle with brokenness is revealed. After Christ is declared to be the Victor over brokenness and is revealed as the true source of life and freedom and hope. After suffering is to be expected. After mission is now acknowledged and anticipated as a way of being. After humanity is redefined.
THEN comes the renewing of our minds.
That's a lot that preceded this new way of thinking.
See, to carelessly and candidly suggest that all we need to do in life is to change how we think or shift our consciousness so that this world will become a better place has the potential to poison our hearts with a stubbornness of will that declares "We are all gods and in control of our own future." I am pretty sure that is what got us into this predicament to begin with and more of the same will not save us from ourselves.
What we need is a new heart.