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“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13

One of the great dangers of organized religion is the tendency to blindly trust those considered authorities on the faith.

These trained experts have knowledge and expertise through theological education and divine revelation. 

But what if the experts are wrong about something? What if they have selfish motivations? What if they use their authority to manipulate? What if they place more emphasis on being culturally relevant than being theologically accurate and doctrinally true?

History has shown us countless stories of religious leaders who abused their authority and led people away from the truth of God’s word because their followers valued the leader’s knowledge and expertise more than the truth of God’s word.

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest gifts a pastor can have is a congregation passionate about knowing, studying, and going deep into the word of God because it provides accountability in preaching. Those dedicated members knowledgeable in the truth keep us in step with sound doctrine and theology by raising questions and concerns if something doesn’t sound right. This is a good thing! The word of God challenges the people of God to refuse to check their minds at the door but instead to think deeply about the truth of God’s word and to study and learn what the word of God indeed says.

Author and theologian R.C. Sproul said: “Christians are called repeatedly in sacred scripture not to leave their minds in the parking lot when they enter into church to awaken their minds so that they may think clearly and deeply about the things of God.”

If you follow Jesus, you are called to think deeply about the things of the faith and engage your mind in thoughtful theological truth and sound doctrine. Don’t turn off your mind and call it faith. Engage your mind and dive deeply into the things of the faith so that you can rightly understand the implications of what Scripture reveals for how you live in light of the gospel.

What steps can you take to prepare your mind for action by engaging Scripture this week? 

Where do you find shallowness in your knowledge of the truth?

How can you grow deeper in the following days or weeks?