As a young man emerges in his awareness of himself he notices that he may be a little out of shape, if he’s honest with himself, that he may have a bit of a fat wallet, if he’s honest with himself, and if he is really, really honest with himself… he may have a bit of a fat head when it comes to him understanding what he thinks he knows concerning his own personal religion, politics, and world view.
“You think you know, but you don’t know as you ought to know.” 1 Corinthians 8:2
There is a principle of a principle in that verse that we can apply to ourselves as we continue to emerge as men.
You can’t see it right off but it’s there.
First, here is a question for you. “How are we NOT swayed in our thinking?” In our thinking we have to take two competing ideas and then “decide” on… 1 of 3 ways to go. You can go right; you can go left; or you can be apathetic.
If you haven’t surmised by now I’ll tell ya straight up… I follow Jesus Christ.
In the book of Revelation we have an example of this found in the church of Laodicea. They ended up believing in their own industriousness, wealth, and good life.
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Revelation 3:15-17
Today we are focusing on the “hot, cold, or indifferent” aspect of an emerging man’s thinking.
No one can tell you… for a fact… where an individual thought actually comes from inside a persons head… but… once a thought settles in a mind it can be fed, and can grow, into a “belief.”
The underlying, or hidden principle of the principle found in 1 Corinthians 8:2 is the principle of “a foundation,” as an emerging man you will be asked, “What do you stand on?” or for, but if you stand for anything, you need to stand on something.
So… look at a current decision you are facing. You can “be hot, be cold, or be lukewarm,” but how will you determine what course to follow.
As an emerging man you may only have “thoughts” about things, you may not have a “personal belief” just yet.
Then again… you may think you have a personal belief but you only think that because you have been told to have that thought your whole life by someone else.
An emerging man has to know for himself, and… stand for himself.
He can change his thought, or belief… some would say, “He can be swayed.” That phrase has a negative connotation to it but… we are swayed all the time either by our own thoughts or by the thoughts of others.
You have to take a look at your foundation… WHAT DO YOU USE TO CHANGE YOUR OWN MIND?
I am studying, learning and seeking more and more of Gods Word, and the actions of Jesus to use as granite blocks for my personal foundation.
When an issue comes up and I have to assess my own thinking I start with the Word of God and hold my current “thought” or “belief” up to it to see the discrepancies, in order for me to assess how I am going to proceed.
For instance I believe, if he is able, an emerging man needs to be physically strong.
If I hold that up to Jesus, your personal take may be to think, “Jesus was a pansy!” Don’t lie. Lot’s of men think like that.
But all throughout His word he says, “Be strong…”
That is a granite block.
Now as an emerging man you need to decide these things for yourself. Research for yourself. Find out for yourself. Then stand on them. Then… if need be… alter or reset your granite blocks when presented with new information.
You may be thinking, “Granite blocks are very hard to move.”
That’s true… that’s why you are very careful when you decide to set one in place.
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