Wrong thinking ∙

Wrong thinking ∙

The LORD says I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. – Psalms 32:8

Psalms 25:8-18

 8 The LORD is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.

 9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.

 10 The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness, all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

 11 For the honor of your name, O LORD, forgive my many, many sins.

 17 My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all!

 18 Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins.

Gerald Rafferty (1947–2011) was a Scottish singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He had several solo hits in the late 1970s: “Baker Street,” “Right Down the Line, Night Owl,” and “Stuck in the Middle with You.” One of his lesser-known songs was “Wrong Thinking.” It was part of his 1994 album “Over My Head.”  

Is this a state that you can’t control, or don’t you care who you’re talking to

Each time when things get out of hand why it’s the same thing you always do

You start to point out other people’s mistakes sometimes you even show contempt

How come the way you exclude yourself can’t you see that you’re not exempt

Wrong thinking gets the better of you

It only takes a moment or two

Comes stealin’ like a thief in the night

Changes every little thing in sight

Wrong thinking gets the better of you

Well it’s the same old thing that happens every time you react that way

Tomorrow you will want to forget everything you said today

But every time something reminds you, you play the same old game inside

Any excuse in the book will do everything can be justified

It is so easy for any of the children of the King to think wrongly and misbehave. King David had lived an exemplary life until his moral failure with Bathsheba.

1 Kings 15:5 For David had done what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight and had obeyed the LORD’s commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite.

Wrong thinking got David into serious, serious trouble. His troubles went from bad to worse. He soon racked up many, many sins. He was filled with regret and remorse for the things he had done. But above all, he was concerned for the reputation of his Father in heaven. Anyone who knew anything about David knew that he dearly loved the Father and was one of His. He was a man after my Father’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). The Father deeply loved him.

How could he do so much wrong? He stopped thinking rightly and allowed his passion and desire to get the best of him. He acted like a senseless horse or mule, was stubborn, and lost control. There was a steep price to pay for his foolishness.

James 1:14-15

 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

REFLECT & PRAY

Wrong thinking gets the better of you.

Father I am guilty of repeated wrong thinking and inappropriate action. My life seems beset with snares, nets, and traps. Deliver me, forgive me, and encourage me to think rightly.

INSIGHT

People are just people, capable of great good and love, evil, and destruction. David’s wrong thinking resulted in a steep downward slide. He was overcome by emotions, self-deception, sinful actions, and death. His fallen DNA brought him down.  

Why did the Father have the entire sordid story of David, warts and all, included in His written word? We are entrapped by our shortcomings, failures, and rebellion. In David, we see ourselves, and we identify with him. But we see how the Father works to provide hope and encouragement during his deepest doldrums.

But the Father provides hope and encouragement for each of us amid our troubles and discouragement. The Father is always there for us, ready to forgive and restore.

Romans 15:4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

The Father does not hold grudges. In response to our sin, iniquity, and transgressions, He did not pour out His anger on us. Instead, He took the condemnation we fully deserved and laid it upon the Lord Jesus Christ. In a miraculous, heavenly transaction, the Lord Jesus Christ became sin for us. He took all of our sins and exchanged them for the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

When we turn back to the Father, we experience the joy of forgiveness. The sweetness and delight of our close love relationship are restored.

It is our wrong thinking and consequent inappropriate emotions, words, and actions that block our close fellowship with the Father. The Father desires us to be incredibly close and feel the warm embrace of His loving arms. He wants us to experience sweet fellowship with Him more than we desire.

Bob Dylan understood this well.

Gonna change my way of thinking, Make myself a different set of rules.

Gonna change my way of thinking, Make myself a different set of rules.

Gonna put my good foot forward, And stop being influenced by fools.

Well don’t know which one is worse, Doing your own thing or just being cool.

Well don’t know which one is worse, Doing your own thing or just being cool.

You remember only about the brass ring, You forget all about the golden rule.

Jesus said, “Be ready, For you know not the hour in which I come.”

Jesus said, “Be ready, For you know not the hour in which I come.”

He said, “He who is not for Me is against Me,” Just so you know where He’s coming from.

There’s a kingdom called Heaven, A place where there is no pain of birth.

There’s a kingdom called Heaven, A place where there is no pain of birth.

Well the Lord created it, mister, About the same time He made the earth. – BD

When we change our way of thinking, our wrong thinking becomes right-thinking.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-19-2

© Dr. H 2022