Protect Your Thinking Ability

Ralph Walls: Protect Your Thinking Ability (2 Cor. 10:4, 5)


The fact is, we are at war. There is an intense battle to control our minds. We have “the spirit of the world” that surrounds us and can infect our thinking, they have demon-inspired teachings that are at their base, and then we deal with our own imperfect inclinations. And on top of that, each of us has a traitor within him (all of us do), our heart, which the Bible describes as “more treacherous than anything else.” Now, when we consider the forces that we’re fighting against in this war, we could not possibly win the war on our own. But with help from Jehovah, we can’t lose. Now, sadly, the enemy has been able to get some from among us, and these have become battle casualties. But as long as we keep on “the complete suit of armor,” described in the Bible in the book of Ephesians chapter 6, we’re going to avoid becoming a casualty. There’s no secret formula; it’s right there in the Scriptures. And there’s one particular part of the armor that relates to our text for today that we’d like to center on, and that is “the helmet of salvation.” Now, why does the Bible use the expression “helmet of salvation”? Well, because just as a soldier was protecting his head where his brain was, which drives all of the senses, so the helmet of salvation protects our minds.

The March 2021 Watchtower, page 29, says this: “Jehovah Will Protect You—How? “[Well,] just as a literal helmet protects a soldier’s head, “the hope of salvation protects our thinking ability. “[And] that hope keeps us focused on God’s promises and helps us to see problems in the right perspective.” That’s a lot to digest. But think about this: Thinking ability is not to be confused with independent thinking, which Satan promotes. One indication of independent thinking is to question the counsel that we receive from the visible part of Jehovah’s organization through the faithful slave. For example, God’s organization has given us warnings time and again about listening to certain types of music, watching out for pornographic material, being very careful of frequenting clubs and worldly dance halls, and the improper use of alcoholic beverages. And there are other matters too. But thinking ability will prevent us from rationalizing that “Such counsel really doesn’t apply to me. I know how to skirt around the problems that these things might bring.” But unfortunately, there is independent thinking that at times comes from our very own fellow worshippers. For example, have you ever heard someone say: “You’re still just a housewife? “Times have changed. Why don’t you go get a job?” or use the expression, “Pioneering is not for everyone; “you need more training and education if you’re going to make it in today’s world; let them tap your talents and skills,” or say, “I feel the best way to help my disfellowshipped relative is to stay in touch with him.”

But do you know what? Thinking ability is what protects us from these and other reasonings that don’t reflect Jehovah’s thinking on matters. And since God created us in his image, it’s only logical and realistic that we can have thinking ability only if we adopt God’s way of thinking. Would you read with me, please, Proverbs 1:7? Notice it says: “The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge. “[And the latter part:] Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Now, by and large, most respond favorably to Jehovah’s way of thinking. That’s why we’re part of a beautiful organization that is at peace with itself.

https://www.jw.org/en/library/videos/#en/mediaitems/LatestVideos/pub-jwbvod24_42_VIDEO