HEAVENLY THINKING HIGHER THAN EARTHLY THINKING
The God of heaven “inspired” the Bible that tells us to set our thinking and “hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God… not on earthly things” (Timothy 3:16-17; Colossians 3:1-3). But there are many other books written by people that tell readers to focus essentially on present earthly things for self-fulfillment. However, the Bible goes further in counseling us concerning earthly thinking: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
THE BIBLE PREDICTED A TIME OF EARTHLY THINKING
The Bible predicted that the time would come “when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Such false teachers “do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive” (Romans 16:18)
But the Bible counsels people who desire the light of the truth of Christ: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). Yet, because of the Lord’s great love, he tells his followers to pray for all people, including those who are in darkness, that they might come to the light of Christ (1 Timothy 2:1: 2 Timothy 2:25).
THE BIBLE EXPOSES BOOKS ON EARTHLY THINKING
A NEW EARTH: AWAKENING TO YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE is an example of many books that essentially focus on thinking about present earthly things. The author of this book, Eckhart Tolle, is said to be “widely recognized as one of the most inspiring and visionary spiritual teachers in the world today.” His book is said to have been translated into over 50 languages and influenced millions. He teaches his readers to consciously think on “positive things” about this present world and self to achieve a “new earth” purpose in life. He instructs them to disregard the past and the future, but to concentrate on present positive things of the earth for fulfillment.
THE BIBLE SHEDS LIGHT FROM HIGHER HEAVENLY THINKING
The Lord God declares: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
The world may largely be misguided in its thinking by unseen powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). But God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to be the “light of the world.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:16-18).
- ABOUT PURPOSE IN LIFE. The written Word of God says all things, including all people, were created by the Lord and for his purpose, which is to glorify God and conform us to the likeness of God’s Son. ( John 1:1-4: Colossians 1:16; Roman 8:29).
- COMPARISION OF WRITINGS. In comparing the Bible message to other spiritual writings and teachings, the Lord’s apostle Paul said his message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with miraculous demonstrations of the Spirit’s power, much like those the Lord Jesus Christ himself demonstrated (1 Corinthian 2:4; Acts 10:38; Mark 5:35-41). Positive earthly thinking and teaching, without the power of the Holy Spirit sent by Christ after his resurrection, have no power to eliminate many of the negative things impacting people—storms, pandemics, deaths, etc. (John 15:5; John 14:16). But people who pray to God need not be anxious for anything, for they have God’s assurance that he controls everything and has power to solve all problems (Philippians 4:6-8; Psalm 103:19; John 11:25).
- ABOUT PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. Books And teachings like those of A NEW EARTH tell people to focus essentially on earthly things in the present for self-fulfillment. The Bible says all Scriptures, which were written in the past, were written for our learning, teaching and being completely equipped for dealing with life now and in the life to come (Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Mark 10:30).
Contrasting the thinking of the God of heaven to the thinking of people on earth, the Bible states: As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
“Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached [about Jesus Christ] to save those who believe…For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-25). “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
