And I couldn’t help but think about it, no pun intended. Because sometimes the Bible just seems too big and fancy for someone as simple and straightforward as me. Sometimes I just can’t help but try to translate stuff into plain English so I can really get it. So, in totally plain English, here is what came to me. Would Jesus sit around thinking about what a piece of garbage He is? Of course not. Would He sit there thinking about what a failure, loser, overweight, underweight, ugly, disappointing, discouraged, always-messing-up, man He is? Of course not. Would Jesus even sit around thinking relentlessly about Himself, not to mention every single way in the world in which He falls short? Duh. No.
Then I decided to peer in at this wild question from a different angle. Would Jesus walk down the street criticizing people in His thoughts? Would He go to church on Sunday and think nasty thoughts about everyone sitting near Him and then after the sermon shake their hands, pat them on the back, compliment them on how nice they looked and how cute their new dogs were in the photographs being shoved in His face? Would He lie in bed at night thinking about how much He hated the people who won’t return His phone calls? Would He wake up in the middle of the night worrying about where He would live in six years? Hmm. Pretty obvious, huh?
My pastor who is now with the Lord shared with his little flock not too very long before he packed his bags for heaven that he had moved beyond simply learning how not to sin in his actions. He was learning how to deal with the sin he allowed in his mind. I can totally relate now. And, to be honest, dealing with when I sin in my actions seemed a whole lot more manageable – or at least obvious – than now dealing with the sin I find in my heart – my thoughts and feelings.
In fancy language, any thoughts that run contrary to the Bible need to be repented of. I need to realize they’re wrong, confess them as wrong, get rid of them as wrong. In plain English, I can ask myself this simple question. What would Jesus think? Is this something Jesus would be thinking? If not, it probably would be best that I stop messing with this or that thought. What to do with it? Demolish it, and take it to the landfill where it belongs. Not exactly fancy Bible language, huh? But it works. After the landfill? Best to get on with the business of thinking pure thoughts and making sure that my actions follow.
So when was the last time you asked yourself this question?
What would Jesus think?
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.” Phil. 4:8 KJV
“Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.” proverbs 4:38 NASB