Thinking About What You’re Thinking About (2)
How NOT To Think
2005018
Topic # 1297 (optimism/pessimism)
Introduction:
- Christians must be “be transformed by the renewing of the mind” (Romans 12:2).
- This lesson is about how NOT to think.
- Let us not forget the importance of the mind.
- As a rule, we do what we want to do.
- If we REALLY want to do something, if we MAKE UP OUR MINDS, we will find a way to accomplish it.
- Many live in mediocrity because they don’t have the fire deep down inside of them (we call that zeal) to move ahead.
- We need to be moving forward and we need to prepare our minds for that task.
I. The Danger of Improper Thinking
- Far too many in this life are carrying around excessive baggage that hinders them from being able to think properly.
- They are dealing with past failures, past hurts, persistent problems that won’t go away, impurities in our lives or simply no desire to change or improve.
- These things rule their thoughts and keep them from moving to where they need to be.
- We must change our thinking! Scripture continually calls for change in our minds.
- Mt. 13:14-15 - Jesus spoke of hardened hearts and closed ears and He described them as being that way by choice
- 2 Corinthians 10:5 – bringing every thought into captivity
- 1 Peter 1:13 tells us to “gird up the loins of your mind”
- Romans 12:2 – tells us to be transformed by renewing our mind.
- Philippians 4:8 – “meditate on these things”
- To fail to bring our minds into harmony with God’s will endanger our souls.
II. The problem of pessimism
A. If your life is what it ought to be – you have every reason to be optimistic.
B. Pessimism
1. Webster: 1. the opinion or doctrine that everything in nature is ordered for or tends to the worst or that the world is wholly evil; -- opposed to optimism. 2. A disposition to take the least hopeful view of things. (Webster, 1913)
2. It is expecting the worst in a situation.
a) It is closing our eyes to the possibility of a good outcome.
b) It is being cynical and viewing everything expecting failure.
c) Pessimism is a fear of change.
3. Examples of pessimism include,
a) “Nothing good ever happens to me”
b) “I just don’t think I can do that”.
C. Pessimism seems to be a way of life in society.
D. The news media thrives on telling us what is wrong and bad about a given situation.
- Political opponents parse every word of their opponent’s speeches looking for something to criticize and look for reasons why it won’t work.
- ON THE OTHER HAND, the optimist will give anything a try (at least once, and possibly many times) and if there are problems, they will look for the solutions before they abandon the project.
- We can apply that to spiritual matters.
- “It won’t work” or “nobody really cares” or “I just can’t do that”, etc.?
- Before even talking to someone who needs the gospel, they prejudge, “they won’t listen”.
- The pessimist looks for the splinter in the eye.
1. He listens to the sermon looking for what is wrong instead of what is right.
2. The pessimist looks at what he is forbidden to do and dwells on it
- In scripture: Pessimism is NEVER viewed in a positive light. Associated with a lack of faith.
- Israel at the Red Sea – Exodus 14:10-12.
- Exodus 16:2, Israel complains about being hungry.
a) CONSIDER what THIS generation had witnessed – the 10 plagues including death of the firstborn, miraculously crossing the Red Sea on dry ground and many other signs. Yet, how often did they complain saying, “If only we had stayed in Egypt”?
b) A totally negative and pessimistic attitude.
- Numbers 13:26-33; 14:1-9 - The impact of pessimistic leaders to influence a fickle people.
a) The result of their pessimism and lack of faith – 40 years in the wilderness
b) If we are pessimistic, WE ARE DEFEATED BEFORE WE START!
- 1 Samuel 17:10-11; 32-33; 36-37 - Israel in the face of Goliath –
- Matthew 25:14-30 – The Parable of the Talents.
a) 25:24-25 - ALL this servant could think of was failure and what would happen in he failed.
b) The master’s response (26) was to call him a wicked and lazy servant.
c) Why? Because he HAD failed.
d) WHEN we do nothing, we are GUARANTEED to fail. Better to risk failure trying than to certify it by doing nothing
- The enemies of Jesus were pessimists.
- At times the disciples of Jesus were pessimistic.
a) Mt. 17:14-21 - They failed to cast out a demon. They could not do it “because of your unbelief”
b) Mt. 14 - Crossing the sea of Galilee they are panicking
c) During His ministry they never quite got His message that He must die and rise again the third day.
d) After His resurrection – they are discouraged and defeated. Not thinking one bit about the promises Jesus made.
III. Let Go of Your Past
A. This is the person who dwells on their own past failures and perhaps bad things that have happened to them before. This is known as living in the past and it is unhealthy both physically and spiritually.
B. Phil 3:13-14 - Paul learned to move on. He forgot about the past and moved on.
1. Luke 9:62 – Jesus said, “No one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
C. You need to forgive yourself.
1. You are not the only one who has sinned in the past!
2. Some have lived horribly sinful lives and have pasts that will follow them the rest of their lives (not that we are dwelling on them – but the consequences are there). We may feel that we are not worthy and thus we find it hard to forgive ourselves.
3. Here’s a thought – WE AREN’T WORTHY! No one is. BUT God does not forgive us based on what we deserve.
a) 1 Timothy 1:12-15 – Paul was a former murderer.
b) Paul said it best in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, “by the grace of God, I am what I am.”
4. Disclaimer: We should not excuse present sinful behavior – but if we have done what we can to obtain forgiveness from God (See 1 John 1:7-8) we need to move on.
D. Let go of old hurts. There are many who have suffered wrong at the hands of another in the past.
1. And it is something they can’t or WON’T get over.
2. It causes them continual grief and a poor outlook about life and themselves.
3. May feel worthless because of it.
4. As Christians we HAVE TO let go of these things. Ephesians 4:31
5. Old hurts are in the past and they cannot be changed.
a) You may need to let go of these hurts – FOR YOU! If you want to have a mind that is pleasing to God you need to get rid of these deep seated things for yourself.
b) Don’t let old hurts rule you and hinder you.
IV. Get a grip on your worry
A. We need to learn to not worry.
B. How many keep their minds occupied by worrying about either things of the past that they cannot change OR things in the future that they have no control over.
1. Either way, it will cause stress, depression and anxiety. It clouds one’s thinking with trust and hope.
C. Jesus taught us not to worry – Matthew 6:25-34.
D. When we worry, we are:
1. Not Seeking first the kingdom of God (NOW)
2. Becoming overly concerned about things you cannot change
3. Not showing complete faith in God.
E. Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in the heart causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.”
F. Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for NOTHING.
V. Face up to your problems
A. Some refuse to face up to problems and sin because they know they need to change.
1. Do you shut your eyes and ears to your faults?
2. Are we ever afraid to study or pray regularly? Slack off spiritually?
3. Have you ever felt that if you probed too deep, you would find something in your life you need to face?
B. We need to examine ourselves regularly – 2 Corinthians 13:5.
C. We need to put our bodies “to the test” – 1 Corinthians 9:27 – lest we be found disqualified.
D. Others are afraid of change itself. We are to make progress spiritually - Hebrews 6:1
Conclusion:
A. I believe we can see the importance of how to think and how NOT to think.
B. Let’s “be transformed by the renewing of your minds”.
C. Have you obeyed the gospel of Christ?
D. I N V I T A T I O N
