WARNING: Read at your own risk. Questions are dangerous because questions have answers and answers change our lives.
Charles Spurgeon once said,
"If we will only begin to think, we shall begin to thank."
Here is a list of some of the things that I have been thinking about recently. Awhile ago, I decided to try and trace down the root of some of my thoughts as I think them and write them down. I have kept this journal for several months and have amassed a collection. It's time to dump them upon you all, ready or not. ;)
Here is how this blog post works:
1) Feel free to read the questions, any or all.
2) Ponder them, look up Scripture verses if you like, and try to come up with an answer you think is biblical/correct.
3) Feel free to share your answer to any in the comments section.
4) Also, feel free to bring these questions into your conversations and group discussions if you like. :)
FYI: Most of these I have thought through to the very end and do have a personal answer for, but some of these are just thoughts that I want to ponder. Some of these may not necessarily have a black and white answer, and some of them may.
Thought Prompts
What does it mean that "God marched through the wilderness"? (Psalm 68:7.) And what does that mean about His character today?
What is courage? And is it such a thing that one can possess or is it the fruit of right decisions?
Is there such a thing as darkness? And what does that teach us as Christians? How should it affect our daily lives? Also, is there such a thing as coldness?
What is the essence of fear? How can we overcome it every time?
What does it mean to think thoughts that are praise-worthy? And by whom and whose standard?
Why is it, do you think, that so many things in God's design are counterintuitive? (Love your enemies, pray in secret, rewards always come later, judgment of the unrighteous starts with the righteous, suffering produces joy, humility leads to honor, etc.) What does it show us about God and ourselves?
Is it possible to be a blessing to God?
Could Jesus be the "whole armor of God" in Ephesians 6? Why or why not? If so, how can we "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" every day?
What does it mean to "turn your eyes upon Jesus"?
Given that we are all 'ambiverts' in a sense, (everyone has two introverted cognitive functions and two extroverted cognitive functions - although one of the introverted or extroverted functions will be your dominant function, making you an "introvert" or an "extrovert",) when is it best to utilize our extroverted functions, and when is it appropriate to utilize our introverted functions? How does God's Word guide us in this?
What is the essence of purity?
Is it possible to only have 'one desire'? What is/are my current desire(s), and is/are it/they 'theocentric'?
What is the difference between "double-minded" and "single-minded" in the Bible?
Is there a link between purity and passion for God? What is it?
What is the seed of impurity? Therefore, what is the seed of purity?
Do I see wants as "riches" and weakness as an "advantage" because these things shall be supplied by my all-sufficient Jesus?
What difference is there really between "big suffering" and "little suffering"? Or rather, what is the same between the two?
How bad of a sin is it to complain?
What type of desire for more can fuel contentment?
Why is anxiety such a terrible sin?
Why is impatience a gross sin? And why, specifically, is waiting on the Lord such a joy?
What is the connection between Proverbs 17:27b ("A man of understanding is of a calm spirit") and 1 Peter 3:4? ("Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.") And what or who even is the "hidden person of the heart?"
When receiving correction, do I really delight in understanding? (That is, understanding the correction and how I can improve?) Or just in expressing my own thoughts, reasons, and excuses? (Proverbs 18:2 - "The fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.")
If I were confined to solitary confinement, how would I occupy my time?
Is a lazy man ONLY titled by his laziness of actions? Or physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well?
In the education and understanding of a child, which should come first: wisdom or knowledge? (See Prov. 16:23, 2 Tim. 3:7, Prov. 1:22, Prov. 2:10-11, Prov. 5:1-2, Prov. 8:12, Prov. 10:14, Prov. 14:6b, Prov. 15:14a, Prov. 18:15, Prov. 21:11b, and Ecc. 12:12-14.)
People throw around the phrase, "iron sharpens iron," but in context, what does it mean? And how have I seen my closest five friends sharpen my countenance? Is this a good or a bad thing?
Is it even possible to regress spiritually?
What adjectives describe a truly saved person?
Does God inspire one conviction in one Christian and a different/opposite one in another? Or is one always wrong? (I guess it would depend if it was a grey area.)
Why does the father give the bride away? What is that a symbol of in the gospel, and is it accurate?
Along those lines, why is the focus on the bride the entire day? Is it not the Bridegroom who alone will be exalted on that Day? Every knee will bow, and it is for Him that we eagerly wait for.
Okay, I am also really curious as to how bridesmaids fit into the gospel analogy. They appear first, if I am not mistaken, in Psalm 45:14b... (and notice how they come after the bride...? :) The only other place I remember seeing them is in Matthew 25. So... what people group do bridesmaids on earth represent in heaven? I'm so curious, but I don't know if we'll be able to find out until that Day? Maybe Revelation 14:4-5 gives some context? I guess you could wonder the same thing about groomsmen as well. There must be a truly wonderful picture here that I can't wait to find out about!
Is sugar part of our daily bread? Why or why not? (The answer to this lies more in the field of science than morality, I believe, though both are, of course, involved.)
How would I respond if a loved one or friend passed away? Like David? (2 Samuel 12:19-20) Like Job? (Job 20:22) And what is the common denominator between the two?
Which is more dangerous: Self trying to serve God in its own strength and asking God for help, or self being completely unwilling to obey God?
What do you think?
May God be exalted,
~ Kina
First Photo Credit: Ben W.