How can we avoid setting our minds on "man's interests" over God's will? Setting the Scene: Two Competing Mindsets “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23) Peter loved Jesus, yet in that moment he sided with human logic over divine purpose. The same tug-of-war plays out in us every day. Spotting the Pull of Man-Centered Thinking • It prioritizes safety, comfort, reputation, or success above obedience. • It trusts common sense over God’s revealed Word. • It is often applauded by the crowd—and therefore feels natural. • It can hide behind spiritual language (“Surely God wouldn’t let you suffer”). Key cross-check: “Am I seeking the approval of men, or of God?” (Galatians 1:10). Renewing the Mind with Truth • Daily Scripture intake reshapes our default settings (Romans 12:2). • Memorize passages that confront self-centered impulses (e.g., Colossians 3:2; Psalm 119:105). • Meditate, don’t just skim—linger until the text challenges assumptions. Practicing Moment-by-Moment Surrender • Begin each day: “Lord, Your agenda over mine.” • Throughout the day, pause and ask, “Is this decision furthering Your kingdom or my comfort?” • End the day with honest review—celebrate obedience, confess compromise (1 John 1:9). Holding Plans Loosely • Lay out ambitions before God (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Invite Him to close doors that are merely “good” so He can open doors that are “God.” • Remember: “The world is passing away… but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17). Seeking Kingdom Counsel • Surround yourself with believers who value obedience over popularity. • Give trusted friends permission to challenge motives. • Measure advice against James 3:17 wisdom—“pure, then peaceable, gentle…” Staying Dependent on the Holy Spirit • Ask Him to expose self-promotion masquerading as spirituality. • Rely on His power to act on convictions (Philippians 2:13). • Walk in step with Him, not ahead or behind (Galatians 5:25). Fixing Eyes on the Eternal Reward • Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). • Keeping eternity in view makes present sacrifices reasonable (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). • The Father’s “Well done” outweighs every earthly accolade. By choosing these patterns—Word-saturated thinking, daily surrender, Spirit-directed living—we consistently move from “the things of men” to “the things of God.” |
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