In my home church, I lead a small group discipleship course in which I introduce the lesson by asking all the participants to share their greatest fear. It’s often fun to learn about what causes different people to feel afraid. For some people enclosed spaces, or snakes, or spiders can cause them to be completely debilitated. When it is my time to share, most individuals are surprised to find out that what I worry about most is, “What if everything I think I know is wrong?”
Having spent over fifteen years in active ministry I am no stranger to individuals who constantly arrive at the wrong conclusion to almost everything. It seems that almost nothing you can say to them will cause them to entertain the notion that they might be deceived.
We live in a culture that constantly manipulates our opinions. While we like to think of ourselves as free thinkers, but we tend to only associate with those that believe and think like we do. We can carefully curate our social media feed to provide us with a constant diet of people whose opinions constantly reinforce our own ridged way of thinking.
While it is true that we are a holy people and are called to be separated from the world, it is important that we do not become isolated from the ideas that are shaping our culture. When we become out of touch with the struggles of sinners, they begin to see us as “plastic” or “fake,” or we reinforce their idea of us being involved in some type of cult.
No discipleship course is complete without at least one lesson on “Stewardship.” One of the hallmarks of a mature Christian is the understanding that all of our possessions come from God and that we are not the owners of these assets. Often individuals think of resources in terms of “time, talent, and treasure.” There are other gifts; however, that are often overlooked when teaching stewardship: one’s health and one’s mind for instance. While a person’s physical health and mental health have symbiotic relationship, the purpose of this article is to provide guidance on how to be a good steward of your mind.
All through the book of Proverbs the scripture calls us to grow in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Paul instructed Timothy to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15).
Expose yourself to new ideas, and challenge old ways of thinking. The truth will stand up to scrutiny. Take a course at any one of our UPCI Bible Colleges, or get involved in some type of study group that goes through the Bible in a systematic way.
Don’t limit your personal growth to any one area. Learn new skills or do something creative. By learning an instrument or a second language you not only increase your usefulness in the kingdom of God but also by stretching your mind in new ways you protect yourself from dementia later in life.
And of course, always filter these new ideas through the Word of God and prayer. Remember, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). I Corinthians 2:14 says, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Unless we remain connected to God all our study will be futile.
In conclusion, it is important for us to remember that one of the things that make us Apostolic is the belief that God still speaks to us today. It is important for us to be humble enough to admit that while we have “found the truth” there is always the possibility that God may have more truth to reveal. In 1913 R. E. McAlister delivered a controversial baptismal sermon at the Arroyo Seco camp meeting. That night Rev. John Shaepe stayed up all night in prayer and Bible reading. The next day he was reported to have run through campground shouting “There is one God and Jesus is His Name.” What if, instead of staying meditating on Brother McAlister’s sermon Brother John Schaepe had assured himself that he already knew how to conduct a baptism service and had gone to sleep? When we neglect the stewardship of our mind, we may inadvertently close our minds to the still small voice of the Spirit that wants bring us to a new understanding of the ancient truths of God’s word.
Michael Loyd
Michael works for United Insurance Solutions, Inc. under the Stewardship Group, and his wife Elizabeth is a graphic designer in the creative services department. They have one amazing daughter, Sophia. The Loyds attend the Sanctuary UPC in Hazelwood.