First This, Then That
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB
Dwell – You probably learned this verse in the King James version: “Think on these things.” That version leads us to conclude that Paul’s exhortation is primarily cognitive. In other words, we need those little memory cards to remind us to keep all these good qualities in front of our minds all the time. The NASB corrects some of this by using the translation “dwell.” That implies, at least, a deeper reflection and perhaps meditation. But it still leads to cognitive priority. The Greek verb is actually logízomai, “In secular Greek this word is used a. commercially for ‘to reckon,’ ‘to charge,’ and b. more generally for ‘to deliberate,’ ‘to conclude.’ In the LXX it takes on the nuance a. of an emotional and even volitional act, e.g., devising, or counting in the subjective sense.”[1] Did you notice Heidland’s reference to the use in the LXX? It’s important. Paul doesn’t write his Greek like Plato or Aristotle. He draws from the Greek of the LXX, and in this case, the emotional and volitional aspects of logízomai are crucial. Paul is not exhorting us to think better. He is telling us to convert proper thought into action.
With that in mind, it seems to me that we need to really think deeply about how our own assumptions (especially our Western ones) influence what we say and do. Here’s a few things to think about:
“A sense of dislocation has been spreading through our societies like a bone cancer throughout the twentieth century. We all feel it: we have become richer, but less connected with one another. Countless studies prove this is more than a hunch, but here’s just one: the average number of close friends a person has has been steadily falling. We are increasingly alone, so we are increasingly addicted . . . We have separated from one another and turned instead to things for happiness—but things can only ever offer us the thinnest of satisfactions.”[2]
“Human beings only become addicted when they cannot find anything better to live for and when they desperately need to fill the emptiness that threatens to destroy them.”[3]
“Addiction is the psychological state of feeling you need the drug to give you the sensation of feeling calmer, or manic, or numbed, or whatever it does for you.”[4]
Hari offers the example of coffee, used to either calm or energize a person. A cravingto have coffee is a form of addiction. But so are other kinds of craving behaviors like shopping, extreme sports, gambling, fighting, “getting away from it all,” television, texting—anything that you feel you “have to have” or “have to do” in order to get going, slow down, regroup or numb out.
“ . . . addiction is an expression of despair, and the best way to deal with despair is to offer a better life, where the addict doesn’t feel the need to anesthetize herself anymore. Giving rewards, rather than making threats, is the path out. Congratulate them. Give them options. Help them build a life.”[5]
“The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety. It’s connection.”[6]
Maybe we all have a bit of this disease, a tendency to remove ourselves from connection when we feel most vulnerable. But isn’t that exactly what sin is all about—disconnection? Maybe we need to rethink (logízomai) our lists of behaviors—and do something about them. As Hari says, we all feel something is wrong. We know things aren’t getting better. But the solution isn’t building bigger castles and higher fences.
Topical Index: addiction, disconnection, logízomai, think, dwell, Philippians 4:8
[1]Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament(p. 536). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
[2]Johann Hari, Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, pp. 180-181.
[3]Bruce Alexander cited in Johann Hari, Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, p. 180.
[4]Johann Hari, Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, p. 184.
Let me share a scripture about sinning that may easily
pass us by. I looked past it for years.
“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s
seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning because he has been
born of God.” 1 Jn 3:9
This was the key emptiness that Nicodemus was missing: New birth!
New birth with a new heart and a new mind and a new guiding presence
of the very Spirit who was in Yeshua. Some still think this is a fairy tale,
but it’s vital for survival! In fact, it’s the ultimate connection!
True relationship with God is on His terms and our willingness to surrender.
When we truly do, a “newness” sweeps over us from deep inside and day by day,
year by year the reality of sin fades and fades and fades. And as for me, this “dwelling”
on His excellence is my present day reality.
Wow, this is a huge topic and concern, especially as I work with guys who struggle with long term and ongoing drug addictions. Addictions, whether drugs or behavioral are symptoms. “not what’s wrong, but what’s missing!”. Usually a pacifier is replaced by something else in the natural course of events, instead of just being yanked away. I think about the story that Jesus told about you don’t leave a clean house empty, once it’s cleaned!
Even in my own struggles, more with behavioral addiction, I find it difficult to let go of something I have become acustomed to relying on, even if it is a very brief relief. It’s easy to justify behavioral addictions because there are so many of them and their seemingly not as destructive as chemical addiction’s. I think it’s important to recognize what our “ go to “ is so we know what we’re dealing with . I call it filler. What do we use to feel whole or complete? Just a sense of being okay.
I’m reminded today of the passage where Jesus said, “come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest….”. Just a sense of breathing freely and deeply. Jesus came to give us life, out of our innermost being will flow rivers of living water.
A well of water springing up unto everlasting life ! Now, I have to ask, what does that look like? Having an emotional spiritual experience is no longer enough for me. Getting high on Jesus isn’t sustainable . I need something I can sink my teeth into and someone who can sink their teeth into me. Maybe that’s what Jesus was talking about when he said that we drink his blood and eat his flesh. Connection, relationship.
Maybe it’s somewhat of what Rich was talking about today.
I totally agree with what you said about having less and less friends. We have a lot of acquaintances and a lot of people we would say we know, but so much fewer that we actually connect with. I know there are positive benefits to texting, emailing and facebooking but none of them can take the place of real relationships. That’s why the porn business is so successful it gives you a false sense of connection and intimacy. Drinking dust !
Just some thoughts, not concrete!
Agree, still for someone like me wh’s family and very close friends (people that I grow up with) are literally scattered around the world, facebooking, Skyping, chatting through what’s up are the only way that I can “feel” connected to my love ones. The brief emotions (love, words of encouragement, solidarity) that we share from time to time are the sparks that I need to start my day.
Luz I echo this. Without the technology of emails whatsap etc I would be out of touch with loved ones. My husband is in US in cardio rehab and I’m in the UK house sitting
Till I can find accommodation. Economics/ regulations etc prevent it being any other way. As you say the calls are often the sparks that help to keep one going. If I did not walk with Yah the disconnect could overwhelm – I’ve moved around countries so much it’s hard to keep starting again so I thank HIM for stamina and good friends across the seas and for the good technology that’s keeps us in touch. Shabbat shalom Christine
Shabbath Shalom sister. I’m from Colombia, had lived in several countries in south and Cental America living now in Texas. I am a surgeon working towards my licensed here, but Yah has other plans to me moving me to a different area in the same field.
Finding connection with Yah and His people through channels like this, is a helpful way to find meaning in the daily challenges in life.
Let me know if I can be if any help on this side of the world, llowthorp@att.net
“Connection is not an exchange of information, connection is an exchange of humanity. It’s an exchange of emotion.”
— Sean Stephenson (look him up!)
Connection requires vulnerability, and vulnerability requires B.R.A.V.I.N.G., as Brené Brown teaches so well. More and more, my dearest friend and I are learning what it means to “love yourself”; until I do, how can I possibly love the other as I do me?!?
Boundaries-Did I respect my own? Was I clear about what’s okay and what’s not okay?
Reliability-Was I reliable? Did I do what I said I was going to do?
Accountability-Did I hold myself accountable?
(the) Vault-Did I respect the vault and share appropriately?
Integrity-Did I act from my integrity?
Nonjudgmental-Did I ask for what I needed? Was I nonjudgmental about needing help?
Generous-Was I generous toward myself?
(from: Braving the Wilderness, p 39)
and: “We are now and always will be works in progress and there is so much beauty in that dynamic creation process.” -Bree Argetsinger #flawsome
Thanks for this!
Leslee,, just listened to Sean Stephenson (Tedx Talks- Prison of your Mind). Will pass it on. Shabbat Shalom sister and thank you!
In reference to Johann Hari his second book “Lost Connections” is equally interesting.
” But it still leads to cognitive priority. ” The perfect description of what I sensed I experienced here in the last two postings. It has been my observation and it was clearly underlined for me with the last two TW. That this site is focused on a narrow and limited perspective. It’s mostly about the mind of man and his cognitive process of discovery of God and man’s experience of life within the Hebrew scriptures- based in time and its current social context. If we are going to dismiss things outside of the mind of man and his cognitive process of discovery based on time (within a social/intellectual context) we will limit ourselves to the understanding that man can attain. Obviously things of the spirit and things of the unknowable mind of God (who is other than this world system and cognitive process Isaiah 55:8-9) We remain bound to our personal cognitive process and defend it to our loss . Yet we have that alone to learn to appreciate life and things of God. Dismissing the potential of expanding our understanding because we do not appreciate other cognitive processes will end in lock down denial and area’s of complete ignorance. I come here because of the importance of correctly interpreting Scriptures based on the time of their writing and the intellectual/ social context of them. That is an important element to discerning and applying effectively the scripture to ones life. Yet there is more, much more outside the box that is the mind and cognitive abilities of any individual person. Be willing to open up to that one and all, its a bigger sphere than we might currently understand and God is there!
I hope that we also explore the emotional and volitional side of things here, but as the for “unknowable mind of God,” well, as you said, it is unknowable, so there isn’t much to say about it, is there? 🙂
It’s funny how a couple of days ago and I used the word rigid views but others can say limited or narrow perspective and at least they get a smiley face. Instead I get a lecture on longevity to this blog. I have read your books years ago and have followed your blog on and off for 6 years. I did not start commenting until over a year ago and have financially supported children under the bridge for a year I would hardly call myself a casual newbie. I appreciate other views it would be a very boring blog without it . My fault and will admit to it is not telling you the many times I have learned from you and have reaped benefits. I am not a wow kind of person or tend to be gushy,but that gives me no right to not encourage you more Skip. I tend to learn more from people I don’t always agree with it forces me to come to appreciate others views even when their not mine.How to present those views is the tough one. I must compliment Rich Pease on his ability to do that, I have a ways to go and my personality does not always lend myself to it I am not shy or a people pleaser. Will I be blunt at times ? Probably but I can soften the edges so I don’t poke an eye out??
Dear sister, a biological fact underlines the value to me of Skip , you or others. Particularly those outside my personaly constructed echo chamber. Real effectiveness is found in opposing forces. Consider your hand, considering the movment of your four fingers. Then consider the importance of the opposing thumb. The majority of the effectiveness of the hand is in the tension of the opposing forces between components in this carefully designed system. This is physics by the way-scentifcaly speaking. Might we each be a part of the hand of God?
Thanks Mark ,think your addressing this to me. Though my views have changed much over the years and will continue to do so,I am still most greatful too so many, from my Catholic priest who told me to go on ,that he knew what I was thinking was true but felt he would be out of a job if taught.He encouraged me to leave the church.Chuck missler ,Corrie ten boom, Art Katz and so many others we view as obsolete played a very important role and my desire to keep seeking and searching.They may have had things wrong but they had things right also I just can’t bash my humble beginnings or think everyone taught me lies before Hebrew and Greek mindsent was introduced They ALL have been important to me I can honestly say in my 66 years I do not look back and feel hurt or intentionally lied too. I am thankful for them being stepping Stones on my Journey.
Pam, my story is similar to yours, RCC. I have many ancestors who were admirable priests and nuns who did their best as pastors, priests, teachers, hospital nurses etc. but I had to abandon the Church completely when the priest at my mother’s funeral said we couldn’t receive communion (because we were either for the Church or against it). So for him, dogma is everything, living the Messianic message means nothing is how I read that.
I have learned more from Skip and many others in the past 7 years than I did in my other 77 years put together. There most definitely are RCC and Anglican (Episcopal) priests who agree with this but they have little if any option but to shut up because they are financially vulnerable.
Hi thanks for your comment. I left at 20.. my mother was not allowed communion because of being divorced. It’s hard to believe that the priest secretly gave her communion without confession. I often felt sad for him he really cared for my mom and dad but he feared . My Dad was lutheran and never set
Foot in his church but they had a strong friendship best example of putting aside religious differences I knew,and I was fortunate to have that in my early years. I realize many have not.
George, I lost your email address and phone number. Can you email me please with your number? Thanks!
Daniel, email is gkraemer@nbnet.nb.ca – I am difficult to get by phone as we have no access to cell phone service. The price you pay for living on the edge of the grid in the valley of utopia.
Unless dear friend he is actually endevouring to revel it to us through the word and spirit. We certinly do explor the volital emotional side (volitionaly) as well as well as the cognitive. Yet much of scripture is about more than our experiance. I think God wants us to known his mind and himself and our focus on ourselves and our experiance or even our focus on our current understanding of god gets in the the way of receiving real truth and knowledge of Yahoveh
Dr. Missler attempts convincingly to prove scripture is God’s message delivery system to mankind “from outside this space and time continuum”. This stands in opposition to Heschel who sayes ” There are no proofs of God only wittnesses ” Dr Missler is a physicist not a theologin or philosopher…perhaps the scientific mind has something to add to the discussion?
Since I wrote my doctoral thesis on the idea of “outside space and time,” showing that its philosophical and theological basis is illogical and ultimately equivocal, I find those who claim to prove God’s message comes from “outside space and time” already significantly influenced by false Greek assumption (commonly believed in the West). It all sounds so MAJESTIC and DIVINE, but in the end, we really are left not knowing what in the world it is all about. Take a look at God, Time and the Limits of Omniscience, first few chapters, to see just how much nonsense is incorporated in this idea.
Humm…with all due respect and sincere admiration, I belive I was suggesting that philosophy and theology might be different idea trains than science . Surely tied somehow together in the mysteries of reality. But to use theology and philosophy to dismiss the science of space and time might be to step outside ones jurisdictional authority. Consider that the singular condemation of David in Nathans assessments of his kingship was for stepping outside his jurisdictional authority with the census . I have read you’re thesis a while back and will look agin. I often find I am able to follow and agree with these arguments as they run in parallel. Its at the intersections that cause me truble. Dr. Missler knew stuff you and I dont. (His exposition on the science of Genesis is breathtaking,), You know stuff I don’t- YHVH alone knows it all.I leave room for mysteries it keeps me sane.
Mark,
Totally agree. Man’s mind and the Scriptures’ ability to
transmit knowledge and wisdom are the thresholds to
the spiritual realm. No question God brings to us many
and varied experiences that are “other worldly” for lack of
a better way to explain them.
Yeshua clearly told us the kingdom is within us — and therein
lies vast and wondrous vistas to explore!
Thanks for that support, the spirtual realm is real and accessible but no tangible .
I want to put this out, i’d love to hear your thoughts
https://youtu.be/CcCHInA6UMg
Thank you , Luz! Solidarity with our precious brothers and sisters in Christ! How sweet it is!
When Sakharov and Solzhenitzyn came to us from the Soviet Gulag and told us that we needed missionaries from Russia, we booed them off the stage. Where are those young people without Bibles from China to come show us how to get that joy from the Lord that can only be found by completely rejecting the amoral lawlessness we have been seduced into thinking we have to subscribe to? Well, when (not if) it gets as bad here as it already is there, perhaps we will be ready to listen!
Shalom and thank you Luz! What beautiful, yet so humbling testimonies. Will share for sure…
” this site is focused on a narrow and limited perspective.”
I tend to agree with you for the most part and perhaps, that’s what Skip was expressing in a previous response in regards to his discouragement (?) of seemingly going around in circles. However, I also have observed that, in a sense, it is a necessary function of building a good foundation, as repetition is the means by which behavior is cemented. In my own walk, I’ve experienced this “cementing” in that, a certain precept is brought up constantly and excessively to the point that I become totally engrossed to the degree that I begin to think that this is THE thing. (this “connectedness” is a good example) Later, I find that it is only a part of the whole, albeit a very necessary part. The good news is, now it’s firmly embedded. There’s certainly much to be discussed in regards to what you wrote concerning the access we may or may not attain to in bringing to bear the Kingdom of God and it’s demonstratable power into the “real time” of men but I’m not sure that this site, or any other, is even capable of breaching those issues as it’s a matter of knowledge granted through willingly obedience within a community. It’s intended (by my own observation anyway) to work that way.
As a side note, I find it a bit more than a little intriguing that when I review the last few TW’s we go from discussing the possibillity of being influenced even before birth by a multitude of factors (boxes within boxes) that determine our world view, to discussions (like this TW) concerning the proper contemplations urging us to a proper actions, but if our paradigm is already “messed up” what’s our activity going to look like? 🙂 None of this is being expressed in a negative or derogatory tone, it just really draws my attention to the fact that we desperately need an “outside” influence that remains uncontaminated because even if we have the right enviroment, the right answers, etc. we would be unable to come to a right conclusion (action) due to the damage inflicted. So much for secular humanism, which is already digging itself a pretty deep hole. The secret things belong to the LORD our God, and the things revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. Read that carefully, it’s not speaking about the revealing of the law as in at the mount but that the obedience to that law, reveals the things of God. It’s a “spiritual” thing.
Sin is not disconnection; Sin results in disconnection.
Reading Today’s Word is an addiction. Maybe it’s my way of getting an existential fix or massaging my cerebral cortex. At least I’m not on Facebook!