Battlegrounds

    Driving one night with Bene (a.k.a. Dino) after few discussions about life, I suddenly shared a thought which we always hear in the pulpit, "People will not remember how much you know but how much you care (paraphrase)". I told him one way of showing care for people is through acts of service, praying for them, and giving simple gifts. 

    Being in the seminary, we research, think, and analyze the scriptures. In my limited perception, we are most prone to become spiritually prideful and boastful because of our intellectual pursuit. We are vulnerable. Asking God's help for mercy and protection over those kinds of temptation ought to be part of our daily routine as scholars. "God gives [us] talent, skill, ability... but be careful if [our] head becomes big".1

    On the other hand, our class reminded me the importance of using our minds to worship God. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.."2

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ".3

    These two verses emphasize how we are to take care of the thinking aspect of our selves as human beings. We are rational creatures capable of learning continuously and exercise our freedom of choice. 

    If we fill our thoughts with wrong things, our judgments might lead to misdirection. Oftentimes it is not what God wants for us. That's why Paul says to give careful attention to your thoughts, and analyze if that is under the sovereignty and rulership of Jesus Christ. How do we fill our minds: books, movies, podcasts, social media, and people. Filter them and select wisely.

"... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things"4




Footnotes:

1 Cunanan, Fer. Consider your ways: Handling the blessings of God. Sermon at ENCM, Mississauga, ON, October 2, 2022.

2 Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012%3A1-2&version=NIV (Accessed October 8, 2022)
3 Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2010%3A5&version=NIV(Accessed October 8, 2022)
4 Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%204%3A8&version=NIV (Accessed October 8, 2022)

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