Thought sharks have been with us for thousands of years. There’s nothing we can do about the damage they caused in the past, but we can learn from them. History teaches us so much about the human condition. It’s interesting as we study history to see that people continue to repeat the mistakes of previous generations. One reason is we continue to swim with the same sharks.

Lessons Learned?

It would be nice if people would ‘learn their lessons’ so the generations that follow wouldn’t have to suffer the same physical, mental, and spiritual damage. However, that hasn’t happened yet. It’s one of the lessons of history that shows us we haven’t learned our lessons.

The Bible gives us the most ancient view of humanity – going back to the ‘beginning’ (Genesis 1). After humans disobeyed God and He removed them from ‘Paradise’ to live in a ‘fallen world,’ we see the evidence of ‘sharks in the water.’ The first human born on earth was bitten hard by jealousy and anger. That led to the first murder – Cain killed Abel, his brother. The generations that came from Cain also demonstrate other aspects of bad thinking that led to bad behavior (Genesis 4:16-24).

Adam and Eve had another son, Seth, and it looked like humanity might be back on track –

“And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.” Genesis 4:25-26

However, it wasn’t long before the generations of Seth also demonstrated bad thinking that led to bad behavior. By the time we get to Genesis 6 the human race is a total mess –

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually … The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” Genesis 6:5, 11-12

But Noah found ‘grace’ in the eyes of the Lord –

“And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Genesis 6:13

As we read through the rest of Genesis and learn about God’s call to Abram and the birth of Israel, we’re reminded that people have been swimming with thought sharks for millennia. The same is true as we read through the Old Testament and into the New Testament. It’s quite obvious that the human race needed a Savior – and what we a Savior we have in Jesus Christ!

However, followers of Jesus Christ are still swimming with sharks. The day is coming when God will remove His people from this planet and wisk us away to Heaven, but until then we have a lot of work to do to keep swimming – keep fighting.

The ‘Thought’ Battle

Jesus knew the importance of the battle for ‘thoughts.’ In answer to a question about which commandment of God’s Law was greatest, the Lord answered this way –

“… you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30

Heart, soul, mind, and strength – that’s the battleground for every believer. Remember that because every ‘thought shark’ in the water will try to destroy your ability to love and serve God in all of those areas.

I shared about the ‘thoughts of your heart’ in the last part of this series. That covers at least two areas that Jesus addressed in His answer (‘Heart,’ ‘mind’). Here are a few reminders from Jesus about the dangers facing His disciples –

“ But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” Matthew 9:4

“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Matthew 15:19

The Apostle Peter had some strong words for Simon the Sorcerer who wanted to ‘buy’ the power of the Holy Spirit. Notice where the desire originated –

“You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Acts 8:21-23

The Apostle Paul presented humanity’s ‘futile thought’ problem from God’s perspective –

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.” Romans 1:18-23

Paul was most likely referring to the human condition from the beginning, so it wasn’t new then and certainly isn’t new now. What Christians often misunderstand is that the Bible, though written thousands of years ago, is accurate for the past, present, and future.

Old Thoughts and New

The human race believes it is ‘progressing’ – getting better – with time and technology. How wrong they are. The ‘old’ thoughts from centuries and even millennia ago are what people are still thinking today. The ‘old thoughts’ are still the ‘new thoughts.’

The reason I mention that is because of the ideas presented by ‘thought sharks’ and those they bite are that humans have somehow overcome the bad ideas of the past and entered into a new phase of thinking. In reality, the only thing that has changed are the titles for bad thinking. Here are some examples –

  • Old atheism is now called ‘new’ atheism
  • Old paganism is now called ‘new’ paganism (Neo-paganism)
  • Old thinking is now called ‘new’ thinking (New Thought)
  • Old lies are now called ‘My Truth-Your Truth’

None of these are ‘new.’ Unfortunately, Christians have fallen into the trap of thinking the world has changed for the better. The same goes for church and denominational leaders, seminary professors, ‘worship songwriters,’ ‘Christian authors,’ and others God’s people look to for spiritual guidance.

Here are some resources that may help explain the problem and solution –

Apologetics for False Preachers & Teachers

Apologetics for Unity Movements

Apologetics for Worldviews

Next Time

I’ve written thousands of words about how Christians have fallen for ‘Neo-paganism’ in recent years (e.g. Hypocrites and Pagans, Post-Christian or Pagan?), so I’d like to share about several ‘New Thought’ movements impacting modern Christians in the next part of our series, Swimming With Sharks.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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