Authentic Leaders Are Flawed
Learning to Forget – Part 2

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 6:1-3

Key Verse: Philippians 3:13

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead

As we continue our study on forgetting the past and learning to control our thinking, let’s read the Apostle Paul’s words in Colossians 3:1-2, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”  You notice that Paul uses the word “set” twice in these two verses.  The Greek word he used was “phroneo” which has a literal translation of: to direct one’s mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for!

            It is in these two verses that we see the power God gives us as we walk with Him.  We can be the “Director of Thought Processes;” a pretty impressive title, wouldn’t you say?  God’s children, when they surrender to the Lordship of Jesus, get promoted to this “position.”  In other words, God gives us the ability to control our thought processes.  I use the word “processes” because we cannot and do not totally control what “thoughts” come into our minds.  Both God and the devil put thoughts into our minds, but we have the power to determine which thoughts will be invited to stay and be processed.  Thoughts that stay and get processed produce behavior and ultimately our very character.  If we allow the devil’s thoughts to be processed, we will be continually reminded of the past; condemned and victimized by evil.  We must determine quickly the source of our thoughts, so we can immediately choose God’s suggestions to us and process His thoughts.

Father, help me discern the source of my thoughts today and give me your power to set my mind on things above!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.