“Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

Thought Leaders

Walk His Way Revisited
First Posted April, 2014

In the January, 2014, Reader’s Digest, one article set forth twenty reasons to be optimistic in the new year. “Thought leaders, authors, and experts in various fields” were consulted for the article, to make their case.

Thought leaders? What, exactly, is a thought leader?

They are all around us, of course. They are the people we listen to, the people we turn to for advice. On a daily basis, this usually includes our family, friends, and co-workers. Occasionally we read something profound in the newspaper or a magazine, or we hear a worthy statement on a television program or talk show, or from a political figure—and we think about what they’ve said.

But is it wise for believers to allow these people, even if they are our loved ones, to be our “thought leaders”? 

This is not meant to keep us from seeking wise counsel (from mature BELIEVERS) when we are unsure of what is right,or unable to make a decision. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). Be sure, though, that the counsel you seek and receive is from the Word of God.

We would probably all agree that we should not allow an unbeliever to be our thought leader. Psalm 10:4 says, “The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.” In fact, God declares that at some point, whether sooner or later, this person who has expounded what he calls “wisdom” will, in fact, trip over his own words (Psalm 64:8: “So He will make them stumble over their own tongue.”) When that person goes downa—and be assured that he will go down—we will go down with him if we have allowed him to lead our thoughts.

Our thought leader should be the Lord. He reveals His thoughts to us in His Word. Amos 4:13 tells us that God declares to man what His thoughts are. Psalm 92:5 says that His thoughts are very deep. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that His thoughts are not our thoughts—His thoughts are higher than ours.

God, Who knows all things, stands ready and able to be our thought leader.

Lord, keep us from the harm that comes from listening to unbelievers. Let us think Your thoughts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.