Oh—you’ve never heard of yabbits? Not to worry. If I change the spelling and offer a few examples, you’ll instantly understand. Yabbits are the “Yeah, but . . .” statements that create havoc in our minds, much like rabbits create havoc in a backyard garden.
For example:
- YEAH, I know worry doesn’t help . . . BUT I can’t seem to shut it off.
- YEAH, I know the Bible teaches that God is good . . . BUT what about all the evil in the world?
- YEAH, I know I’m supposed to forgive . . . BUT this hurts!
- YEAH, I know Romans 8:28 about all things working together for good . . . BUT I’m not seeing it in this situation, and it’s been going on a long time.
- YEAH, I know some Christians seem to live in a bubble of joy . . . BUT I’m not feeling it!
These yabbits have names: Distrust, Disbelief, Disappointment, Discouragement, and Discontentment. They’re almost as challenging to keep out of our minds as rabbits are from our gardens.
Of course, the first line of defense against rabbits is a strong, deeply-implanted fence. For yabbits, that fence is scripture—promises and truths deeply implanted in our spirits, that can stand guard when those pesky Yeah-but statements come to devour our faith. Scriptures such as these:
For those times when DISTRUST wants to nibble at your faith, turn to Psalm 9:9-10.
Keep out the yabbits of DISBELIEF with Mark 9:24. [1]
When DISAPPOINTMENT tries to invade our thoughts, we need to remember such affirmations from God as Isaiah 55:8-9.
The yabbits of DISCOURAGEMENT can be turned away with 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
And last, DISCONTENTMENT can be kept at bay when we adopt Habakkuk’s attitude.
We’d also do well to follow Rev. Charles F. Deems’ (1820-1893) recommendation, as we take on these yabbits:
Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts.
Most people believe their doubts and doubt their beliefs.”
Of course, the scriptures mentioned above are just a few examples out of many. More scripture planks will create an even stronger fence.
Someone may ask, “How can we know our trust in scripture is well-placed?”
Whole books have been written about the reliability of scripture, but here’s a short, worthwhile article to introduce the topic: “Three Reasons Why the Bible Can Be Trusted.”
We can also bolster our faith with the testimonies of others who’ve embraced the power of scripture:
- “Every year I live—in fact nearly every day—I seem to see more clearly how all the peace, happiness, and power of the Christian life hinges on one thing. That one thing is taking God at His word, believing He really means exactly what He says, and accepting the very words that reveal His goodness and grace.”—Frances Ridley Havergal, English poet and hymnwriter [2]
- “Take all of this Book that you can by reason and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man. It is the best Book which God has given to man.”—Abraham Lincoln [3]
- “In the Bible I find a confidence mightier than the utmost evil.”—Helen Keller [4]
- “The Bible is the book of my life. It’s the book I live with, the book I live by, the book I want to die by.”—N. T. Wright, Biblical scholar and Anglican bishop [5]
- “The Bible creates endurance. Its promises lift the heart and its panoramic insights strengthen the will.”—Pastor and author Timothy Keller with his wife Kathy [6]
Of course, the occasional reading of a scripture passage won’t suffice. That would be like trying to build a fence with slices of Swiss cheese–too flimsy and full of holes.
No, it’s Bible study and meditation that creates a sturdy fence.
Sound boring? Hardly.
The Bible is worth all the other books
which have ever been printed.
–Patrick Henry
With faith, diligence, and a prayerful heart, every student of the Bible finds that Henry and countless others have been right. In fact, I’ve never met an earnest seeker of scripture-truth who later regretted the time they’d spent absorbing God’s Word.
And when we follow their example, the yabbits prove much less troublesome.
What Bible verse helps keep the yabbits out of your garden of faith? Please share in the comment section below!
Notes:
[1] The father speaking these words was admitting that doubts tainted his trust, yet Jesus still performed the miracle. We don’t have to be perfect pillars of faith for him to intervene for us!
[2] Quoted in Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman and edited by Jim Reimann, 127.
[3] Ibid.
[4] https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1070&context=owners_manual
[5] https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/inspiring-quotes/25-quotes-from-influential-christians-about-the-bible.html
[6] The Songs of Jesus, 310.
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The Mind of Christ
Posted in Bible Study, Blessings, Encouragement, Godly Character, Maturity, Meditation, Uncategorized, tagged 1 Corinthians 2:16, 1 Corinthians 2:16 commentary, Bible Study, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:22-23, God's Creative Genius, Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:6, The mind of Christ on November 3, 2014| 10 Comments »
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?” Paul asked (1 Corinthians 2:16).
That’s an easy question to answer: Nobody! His intellect and wisdom are far beyond our human ability to comprehend.
After all…
God has worked out the complexities of every living cell–with perfect precision.
(X-ray microscopy combine to picture interior of living cell)
He has engineered a staggering number of specialized plants and creatures, carefully interrelated in a web of reliance upon one another.
He has created the unfathomable reaches of the universe filled with countless heavenly bodies of immeasurable proportions.
(Spiral Galaxy M74)
Such intellect and wisdom to accomplish these feats is incredible.
Yet, at the end of that same verse above, Paul makes a statement even more astounding. In fact, at first glance it seems ludicrous.
“We have the mind of Christ.”
What? How is that possible? His knowledge and wisdom are infinite; ours is markedly limited.
But Paul makes clear: we have the mind of Christ because he lives within us (Galatians 2:20).
Not that we can know everything and respond with pure wisdom in all situations. Our perfection is a process that won’t be completed until Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6).
But my heart beats a little bit faster to realize that, each day and for all my tomorrows, I might think more like Jesus, understand more like Jesus, and react more like Jesus.
One particular action will encourage progress: spending time with him, especially in his Word.
Here’s an analogy, though far from perfect. Steve and I have been married a very long time—forty-four years. At this point, we can finish each other’s sentences, supply missing information or words in a conversation, and sometimes even know what the other is thinking.
It’s as if we’ve acquired a bit of the other person’s mind. And it’s happened bit by bit, over time.
So I repeat: We will have the mind of Christ as we spend time with him day by day– especially in his Word.
And how will we know that his way of thinking is becoming our way of thinking? After all, there’s no measuring stick for spiritual growth.
Oswald Chambers, in My Utmost for His Highest, posed an excellent question that can help us determine our progress:
“Are other people beginning to see God in my life more and more (p. 78)?” Because a person with the mind of Christ will demonstrate Christ-like behavior.
Perhaps we could take an occasional inventory, based on the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The attributes listed in these two verses characterize a person with the mind of Christ–someone who is loving, joyful, peace-filled, patient, kind, good, and so on. We could ask ourselves, how have I demonstrated these attributes this week?
And what will be the result of cultivating the mind of Christ? “The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).
Life that is characterized by vitality and purpose.
Peace that includes inner-contentment, freedom from guilt, and security for eternity.
That sounds awfully good to me.
* * * * * * * * * *
Heavenly Father, we praise you for taking us into the high places of blessing in Jesus. That includes this gift: the mind of Christ. And day by day you are transforming us into his likeness, with ever-increasing glory. May I seize this day and its opportunities to think like you, understand like you, and react like you.
(Ephesians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
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