Think according to revelation, not instinct



I’m making a sign today and putting it on our fridge. It’ll say:

Revelation, not Instinct

It won’t mean much to most people, but for me it serves as a reminder of a truth that staggered me today. I’m reading David Powilison’s Seeing with New Eyes and he said the following almost as a passing comment:

When we think about God according to instinct, and not according to revelation, we ask the wrong questions.

Now, by “asking the wrong questions” he’s talking about counseling situations, but it generalizes to our most basic existence as human beings. And when I considered the implications, I tottered a little. What he’s saying is that our instincts, being fallen, oppose God Almighty. God’s revelation (in Scripture), on the other hand, tells us the truth about God and who we are.

So my instinct tells me I’m a pretty decent guy. Scripture tells me I’m a scoundrel. Someone else’s instinct might tell them they are worthless. Scripture tells them they are made in the image of God and uniquely remarkable in God’s sight.

Some people call this “preaching the truth to yourself” and that’s surely what it is. But when you put it in terms of “thinking” you see it new—I think about a hundred things every minute, and most of those thoughts follow my instincts. But if, by God’s grace, I can preach the truth to myself and think according to revelation, change begins.

So next time you come to my house, you’ll know what the sign on my fridge means…



5 Responses to “Think according to revelation, not instinct”

1. JB says:

   July 27, 2009 at 7:22 am

   Well since I’ll be over there tonight I’ll be looking on the fridge for the message. I have to say, I’ll be pretty disappointed if I don’t see it.
2. Glen says:

   September 27, 2009 at 6:13 am

   Very good stuff Steve… Thank you for always looking under the covers and not missing the small things that give all of us great “Revelation”!
3. Kylie Batt says:

   April 20, 2010 at 1:10 pm

   Вы не правы. Я уверен. Могу отстоять свою позицию….

   Revelation, not Instinct
   It won’t mean much to most people, but for me it serves as a reminder of a truth that staggered me today…..
4. Kylie Batt says:

   May 12, 2010 at 10:45 am

   Это сообщение, бесподобно ))) , мне интересно …

   I’m making a sign today and putting it on our fridge…..
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