Truth and Your Mind
Series: Acts
Chuck Sligh
August 7, 2016
TEXT: Acts 14:1-7 – “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, 6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: 7 And there they preached the gospel.”
INTRODUCTION
Illus. – of guy in White House who began well in faith, but who washed out.
How does this happen? How could fine, faithful believers fall so hard? How could it occur so quickly and with such little resistance?
I’d like us to look at two big truths tucked away in our text that will help us answer that question. These truths help us understand how to avoid the danger of washed-out Christians.
I. THE FIRST TRUTH WE SEE IN OUR TEXT IS THIS: YOUR MIND CAN BE AFFECTED FOR EVIL OR FOR GOOD – Verse 2 – “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.”
As I studied this verse, two key thoughts struck me:
First, understand that both Satan and God work through our minds. Think about it:
• You never did an evil deed that was not first conceived in your mind.
• You never spoke an evil word that you did not first think in the mind.
• No person ever turned from God and rejected His love who did not first decide that in his or her mind.
Conversely…
• You never did something good or selfless or noble which was not first conceived in your mid.
• You never spoke words of comfort or encouragement that you did not first think in your mind.
• You did not believe in Christ without first accepting the truth of the Gospel in your mind.
You see, the mind is where the action is as far as Satan or God are concerned. Of course, it doesn’t end there, because ultimately the real issue is the heart, but the heart is informed by the mind.
Second, Satan and God use people and influences to affect our minds for good or for evil.
• Satan can use wrong friends and acquaintances.
1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Be not deceived: evil communications [acquaintances] corrupt good manners [morals]. ”
Teens, this is why your parents warn you not to run around with the wrong kind of kids. They know that Satan can use people with evil hearts and evil agendas to lead you away from God and into sin and heartache.
But it isn’t just our teens. Believers ought to reach those who do not know Christ, to have them in our homes to win the right to share our faith. But they shouldn’t be your closest companions; the ones you hang out with the most; with whom you spend most of your time. That’s a recipe for danger. Paul says “evil acquaintances corrupt good morals.”
Christians who share your values and are heading the same direction you—those are the ones you should develop your deepest bonds with.
• Satan can also use wrong philosophies and ideas.
A few years ago there was a campaign where when people didn’t know what to do, they’d ask themselves, WWJD, or “What would Jesus Do?”. Well, you know what, too many people, when they need advice or counsel, ask themselves, “What would Dr. Phil do?” Dr. Phil actually has hit upon a lot of biblical principles, which is why a lot of his advice works, but it’s distressing to me how many people seek such secular, worldly solutions to their problems.
Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,…”
The counsel of God is found in HIS WORD and many people are led astray by philosophies and ideas that go against God’s Word.
• Satan also influences us through wrong ideas in the media we consume—movies and TV shows and books and reading material and music.
If you don’t train your kids to have discernment, and enforce some sensible rules; if you allow them to feed on a steady diet of ungodly philosophies through unlimited access to the media, why you be surprised if they have an appetite for sensual things, become disrespectful, and become involved drinking, sex, or drugs? What WOULD you expect? Like the old computer adage: “Garbage in; garbage out.”
But you see, the opposite is also true: Good things in; good thing out. We’re usually motivated to do what is good and edifying when we feed on good and edifying philosophies and teaching and influences.
Illus. – I remember in college reading a biography of Dawson Trotman, the founder of the Navigators. His conversion to Christ, his commitment to evangelism, his love of servicemen and women, his dedication to excellence and his faith in the Word of God had such a profound influence on my life and my philosophy of ministry. It was by reading such wholesome biographies that I have been motivated and influenced for good in my life and ministry.
I would encourage you to find and provide good, wholesome books and entertainment for yourself and your family to influence you for good.
You see, there’s a battle going on for our minds and there always has been. Paul knew about that battle.
That’s why he says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 – “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” We’re not entertain evil imaginations—we’re to CAST THEM DOWN. We’re not to willingly expose ourselves to worldly philosophies and ideas; rather, we’re to bring into captivity EVERY SINGLE THOUGHT we have to the obedience of CHRIST.
If the battle is in our minds, what should our minds be thinking on? – Paul answers that question in Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS.”
So what’s the solution? Well, first you need to be discerning and identify wrong thoughts from Satan. Paul expresses a similar idea in Ephesians 5:10 where he says, “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” – We need to “prove,” which means to “test” all things to make sure they are acceptable to the Lord.
In other words, you need to be discerning, careful, circumspect about everything that comes into your mind.
And then when we have done that, second you must avoid evil people and influences and embrace and nurture good and edifying people and influences.
Paul puts it this way in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 – “Prove [or “test” or “examine”] all things; [and once you’ve done that, he says this:] hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Hold fast the good things; stay away at all cost from the bad things. So the first big point in this passage is that your mind can be influenced by other people and influences for good or for evil.
II. THE SECOND BIG TRUTH I WANT US TO SEE IN THIS PASSAGE IF THIS: TRUTH DIVIDES – Verse 4 – “But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.”
In a mixed multitude, truth inevitably divides between those who accept or espouse truth, and those who reject the truth. This has always been the case.
Turn with me to a couple of examples in the Scriptures:
• John 7:37-43 – “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) 40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. 41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? 43 So there was a division among the people because of him.”
• Compare that with Luke 12:51-53 – “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”
Now the Bible does not teach that we should be deliberately divisive. It just teaches that truth by its very nature demands a decision. You either accept it or reject it; it’s as simple as that.
You know what—it’s no different today than it was 2,000 years ago.
• You see it every time a group gathers on a coffee break at work and conversation of spiritual things or moral issues arise. – If you say what the Bible says about the issue, some will agree with what the Bible says and accept it, and some will disagree and reject it.
• You see it every time the Gospel is preached: Some will accept it and be saved and some will reject it and remain lost in their sin.
• You see it every time someone comes to faith in Christ and begins to follow Christ. – Friends and loved ones will either accept the changes in a new believer’s life…or reject or resent them and sometimes even oppose them, even if only subtly.
Why?—because, beloved, truth divides. In fact, ALL truth divides: the truth of the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures; the truths about the fundamental doctrines of the faith—such as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the resurrection of Christ, the atonement of Christ, salvation by grace alone, in Christ alone, through faith alone; the truth that God created the universe; what the Bible says about adultery and immorality and homosexuality. These all divide because there can be no neutrality with God’s truth. Truth is inevitably accepted or rejected.
The question is, where are you on the great divide of truth?—On God’s side or Satan’s? Remember, if he can, Satan will deceive you and influence you to reject God’s way and follow his way. He’ll do it through philosophies and ideas and beliefs and people that are against what the Bible teaches.
But let me be clear about something: GOD IS ALWAYS RIGHT!...
• If He SAYS something in His Word, BELIEVE it—no matter what Dr. So-and-So says.
• If He COMMANDS something in Scripture, OBEY it—even if it is unpopular or considered old-fashioned.
• It he CONDEMNS something in the Bible, REJECT it—no matter what the media or the experts say.
• If He FORBIDS something, REFRAIN from it—no matter what the rock stars and the movie stars and the politicians thinkg about it.
Paul tells us in Romans 12:9b, “…Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
“Abhor” is a strong word. The Greek word used here literally means “to detest utterly.” The problem with many Christians today is that they don’t utterly detest evil. The coddle it; allow it in their lives; play with it; excuse it.
God says to utterly detest evil and to cleave to that which is good. The Greek word translated “cleave” here means “to glue to, to stick to.” Too many people who call themselves Christians have got it backwards: They’re glued to their sins and detest that which is good. May God help us to be discerning and careful, to detest that which is evil and stick like glue to that which is good.
CONCLUSION
So that’s my little two point sermon: Our minds can be affected by others for evil or for good. Truth always divides.
Now I’d like for you to take a good little look into your heart today. Believer, have you allowed yourself to be affected to do evil by wrong people or influences? Maybe you need to make some decisions to change your closest friends. Maybe there are some habits or influences you need to get rid of. Where are you with regard to God’s truth?
What truth from God’s Word are you rejecting or neglecting? I exhort you to surrender to God and His Word. Obey Him, because what He says is always right and always true and always best.
