Using Theology to Affect Our Thinking, Part 2
This morning we're continuing part two of our two-part series on using theology to affect our thinking. We're answering the question: What do I do if I'm not in a position of having as much theology as I should?
There is a statement we stand by: If you are a Christian, you are a theologian. You have a theology. If you believe something about God, you have a theology because theology is knowing something about God that changes the way we live our lives. It changes our nature and our behavior. Having that kind of theology is incredibly important.
So the question is: If I'm faced with a particular decision or situation and I don't have on my mind the type of scripture or theology that specifically addresses it, what do I do? Do I throw up my hands and say, "I don't have a theology for that"? I guess it's okay to participate or let it pass. What is it that I do as a Christian if I don't have a theology—or more specifically, if I don't have a theology applicable to a specific circumstance? Especially within the framework of the two big areas of life Christians deal with: sin and suffering, or trials and temptation. Those are the two major categories that result in the glory of God, because every purpose for a Christian existing is for God's glory.
1. All Christians Can Rely on Benefits
What is a Christian to do if faced with a decision, temptation, or circumstance beyond their control—a diagnosis that won't go away, the loss of a loved one, losing a job, or being tempted to sin—and they don't have relevant theology? Number one: All Christians can rely on benefits.
If I don't have applicable theology for a circumstance, I can rest assured God has provided a way to receive a benefit that helps make the right decision, resist temptation, or endure trials.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:2-6)
This passage relays two benefits: one within your control and one not, but both benefit a Christian's life.
Verse 5 says if you lack wisdom, ask God who gives generously without reproach. Wisdom is looking at reality from how God defines it—understanding circumstances, life, and decisions from God's perspective. Biblical wisdom is harmonious with biblical theology. It's a benefit every Christian needs in any circumstance.
What do I need in my marriage? Wisdom. If my spouse responds harshly and I don't have the specific scripture like husbands dealing with wives as the weaker, more valuable vessel, I need wisdom. To not provoke my children, submit to my boss even if instructions seem illogical, or submit to governing authorities without disobeying God—I need wisdom.
It's almost too good to be true: Ask God for wisdom like Solomon, and He gives generously. Even as a child, a teenager, or someone who doesn't grasp sophisticated theology, you can have an advantage over the world by asking. It doesn't depend on your smarts—salvation didn't, and continuing as a Christian doesn't.
You became a Christian by the Holy Spirit regenerating you at the preaching of the gospel. Even a 15-month-old knows how to ask her dad for a walk. Kids know how to ask. Are you diligent to ask God for wisdom without doubting? He gives generously to all without reproach. There's no excuse for not asking regularly.
That's the benefit within your control. The other, not in your control: Count it all joy when you meet trials. You know testing produces steadfastness; let it have its full effect to be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Trials shape you—making better pastors, wives, husbands, parents, kids. Not if but when trials come. Ask for wisdom now, and trials will mold you with an advantage in any circumstance.
2. All Christians Can Return to the Basics
Number two: All Christians can return to the basics. This isn't backsliding; it's essential for growth.
I learned piano but quit as a teen thinking it was nerdy. When I returned, I'd forgotten basics and had to relearn from beginner books to regain skill. Christianity is similar: Some long-time Christians forget foundational principles, functioning poorly. New Christians learn basics; mature ones return to them.
If you haven't learned basics, be discipled. Discipleship enables growth. Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19, "Go and make disciples." "Go" is a command—an attendant circumstance participle sharing the imperative mood of "make disciples." Disciples make disciples, teaching them to obey.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14)
Hebrews' audience had been Christians ~30 years (written ~64-68 AD, post-Christ's ministry ~30-33 AD) yet needed milk—they were lazy, dull of hearing. Time doesn't produce maturity; quality time does through diligence, learning, constant practice distinguishing good from evil.
Practice isn't just reading Scripture (necessary, but like eating athlete fuel without practicing). Consumer Christians attend gatherings, consume sermons, then leave without practice. They get stuck in routines, treating jobs as secular, forgetting they're not.
No practice leaves you vulnerable—like a nation without walls. Sins like pornography conquer without theology and practice. Every sin matters: gluttony, lying. Practice distinguishing biblically outside temptation.
Paul addressed Corinth's issues—incest, fornication, abuse of gifts, division—not by closing the church, but returning to basics:
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2)
Corinth was infantile, fleshly. Paul centered on the gospel, then addressed sins gospel-saturated. Return to gospel basics—the foundation of theology—to build enduringly.
3. All Christians Can Righteously Battle
Number three: All Christians can righteously battle.
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
Weapons aren't fleshly, psychological, or psychiatric (unless organic). They destroy strongholds—foothold sins—by destroying arguments and lofty opinions against God's knowledge (theology). Take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Treat every thought as a prisoner of war—with hostility. Imprison, interrogate all thoughts, even seemingly good ones. Torture if needed to reveal origin. Execute bad ones; release good ones. Even "positive" thoughts can idolize (e.g., exalting wife above God).
It seems impossible, but trust God to empower obedience. It's not legalism ("I must do this"); it's faith ("God will enable"). When failing, He's gracious. Take thoughts captive, especially in decisions without ready theology. Seek help from Scripture or wise believers—Christianity is communal warfare, not rogue.
Closing Applications
If without theological thought for a situation:
- Ask God for wisdom and help—specific to the situation, like Christ prayed before crucifixion.
- Focus thoughts on the gospel. In temptation, ask: Is this what Jesus died to forgive? Don't spit on His sacrifice.
- Practice the Word—read, listen to sermons, apply as agenda, not entertainment.
- Take every thought captive to obey Christ—destroy non-theological thoughts; let biblical ones run free. Thoughts aren't authority; as a man thinks, so he is.
