CHALLENGING THE FIRST EVIL

    We can be resolute in controlling our thoughts, words, and actions. Know that the first evil is in thinking wrong. But if the thoughts are held subject to the Word of God, the tongue will be tamed. And since actions typically follow words, it should be our determination to have our conduct mimic that of a sanctified life. Yet, how quickly the course of action we take can change to reflect someone we ourselves do not recognize.

     Perhaps at the beginning of a beautiful day, you woke up with a song in your heart about Jesus. Your time with God in the morning was awesome!  Breakfast was delicious! Perhaps you ate some whole grain pancakes or waffles with tofu and fruits with a grateful heart. But before you head out the door for work or school, something transpires that may cause you to question every pious action that preceded this circumstance. Maybe it's something your spouse, child, roommate, or you yourself did that had you on edge, that angered you. Does this sound familiar?

     The Bible says the heart is desperately wicked above all things, but our prayer must always be to God: “Create in me a clean heart . . . and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Consequently, whether it is a negative thought or feeling, it should be shunned like a plague. But only God can renovate our very nature.

     God had just delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage. And while Moses was in the mount with God, he left Aaron with the multitude. When Aaron considered not offending the Israelites following their request to make them false gods to worship, he was already in a dangerous place. Then came these words from Aaron’s lips, “Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me” (Exodus 32:2). The creation of a calf to worship followed, then the declaration that the calf was a representation of the God that delivered them from Egypt, the offering of burnt offerings and peace offerings took place early the next day, and finally, Aaron told a big lie that always makes me chuckle. Aaron told his brother upon coming down from the mount that essentially the calf was a product of magic.

     There are many Aarons in the Bible. Consider Pilate. After ascertaining that Jesus was innocent of charges made against him, he decided that he would content the mob that was desperate for blood. This was an evil thought! Instead, his thought should have been that he must release this innocent man. But the thought to content the people led him to have Jesus scourged. This was a brutal beating with sharp objects attached to a whip that made inroads in the flesh. Pilate planned that after the scourge he would let Jesus go. But he had him crucified, then deploring his own actions toward Jesus, he took his own life. 

     It is unwise to make our first thoughts about ourselves or others. Rather, our focus must be whether or not we are going to give glory to God. This is the First Angel’s Message — “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come” (Revelation 14:7). And Songs of Solomon 12:14 reminds us that “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing.” Evidently, wrong habits of thoughts must be overcome.

     “The only security for any soul is right thinking” (Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, p. 491), so “keep thy heart with all diligence” (Proverbs 4:23). “We may close every door to impure imaginings and unholy thoughts by lifting the soul into the presence of God through sincere prayer” (Ellen White, Steps to Christ, p. 99). So, keep praying today!