Think for Yourself: A Wednesday Devotion

Isaiah 8:11-14 The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe.

Today, many people, including Christians, allow themselves to be told what to think and believe about world events, and people are seen as different. Whether liberal, conservative or even moderate in one’s political ideology or leanings, we are called upon to think for ourselves.

In the last few years, people seem to find it much easier to read and accept the rantings and unproven statements of people with their own agendas rather than study to show themselves approved unto God as workmen that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  Conspiracy theories abound, and anger and hate are spread quickly without testing to find the truth.

We live in a broken world and are trying to live as successfully and fully as possible, regardless of the categories that people insist on putting everyone in. Conspiracy theorists would separate us into superior and inferior people, good and bad people, and insiders and outsiders.

God does not call us to live in the constant fear fed by individuals who benefit from division and chaos in the world. Second Timothy 1:7 states, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Self-discipline means demonstrating the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite the temptation to do otherwise. 

God doesn’t want a “lazy religion” that keeps people scared and frightened of the people around them. He is the One who should be feared, held in awe and trembling.

Let’s begin to test the words and assertions of others, not always accepting or believing that the “sky is falling” just because some politician or influencer tells us. Read God’s Word and use it to guide what is noble, right, true, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy in the fear of the Lord.

Amen.