Should Christians be thinkers?  Sadly, too many have hijacked the phrase “Be still and know that I’m God” (Psalm 46:10), in hopes of teaching a method of learning about God that involves letting the mind go blank, but simply stated, Psalm 46:10 does not mean “stop thinking”.  

The person selling a false bill of goods might want someone to stop thinking, but no where in the Bible does God want people to be ignorant. Instead, we are commanded to let Jesus be our new mind by yield to the Holy Spirit’s teaching through His Word so that our minds can become renewed after Him. “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16 (Also: Romans 6:13, Colossians 3:10)

To let our personal ideas and vain philosophies dictate our understanding of God and actions towards those around us is what we are commanded to cease.  Instead of believing that we should be still from thinking, we should:

  • “Be still from trusting our own ways of doing things,”  
  • “Cease from approaching the Lord on our own terms,”  
  • “Be still from worry and from the love of this world,”
  • “Be still from loving ourselves!”
  • “Be still from selfish pride, arrogance, and vain conversation.”
  • Simply said, “We should be still (dead) to self and alive in Christ.” (Romans 6:11)

People who are alive don’t stop thinking, rather they start thinking correctly. Too many professing Christian authors, musicians, and even film-makers have embraced contemplative (non-thinking) forms of prayer, i.e. breath prayers, etc. as the biblical manner in which God’s people are to “be still”.  Not only will these eastern mystic practices lead to ignorant sheep, they may also open dangerous doors of deception from the enemy of our souls.

Instead of not thinking, may we start letting God’s Word plainly and clearly teach our hearts and minds in hopes of producing in us and through us the glorious light and love of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2