Care When Filling The Mind And Heart

To notice and be aware of the things of this world,
the ideas of men as they interpret things they suppose to be 'real',
be sure not to get swept away by ideas having nothing to do with righteousness,
loving others, serving others in humility, and the work of the kingdom of God.
Otherwise, you may find yourself focused on things that only serve to confuse you and others.

The world is full of ideas, information, notions seeming to be 'good' or 'true'.

Much how constantly listening to the news on the radio or on television may lead you to believe that all places on earth are replete with sorrow, trouble, constant striving.

Or like listening to a negative person every second of every single day of your life and then wonder why you also may be negative in your views and opinions of things.

You may be apt to be very suspicious of not only distant lands, but of your own neighborhood and possibly your neighbor... and see all things negatively and thus hopeless.

I remember shortly after I was born again (early 20's), I was fascinated by Solomon's wisdom and his endeavors.

I set my heart on knowing, understanding, wisdom, and distinguishing what is from Above from what is a poor reflection or outright false... in order to best serve the believers.

Yet some pursuits, I have realized, fed more my curiosity and my pride rather than God's purpose for my life.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 

- 1 Corinthians 10: 23-24

Focus is key.

Many people get into religious ideologies and the chasing of a mystical dog chasing its own tail that they are rendered useless for God... and are only tools for their own efforts.

They are filled with much information (puffed up), but do little in terms of serving their fellow man and loving others.

They don't resemble Christ as much as they may like to, but resemble only themselves and typical human pursuits.

They may argue that their knowledge or study serves God, but it is mere talk rather than putting one's hand to the plow.

So there is a balance and fine line.

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. 

- Ecclesiastes 1: 18

If one pursues the knowledge of nefarious activities, don't be surprised to see things mostly through a nefarious methodology.

For some people, all is conspiracy, all is impure.

However:

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 

- Titus 1: 15

If one pursues things of the light, love, peace, and faith in God through all things, they will likely see hope when trouble appears, love when hate is affronted, and faith when doubt is the temptation.

You have the choice to focus and feed your mind and heart things of God or things of this world.

Your focus determines your mindset and the condition of your heart... and thus the kind of words that come forth from your heart and the actions others see from you.

Are you focused on a paradigm in which God's kingdom is evident, or a paradigm in which suspicions and judgments reigns over love, peace, faithfulness?

There are passages that speak to both the ideas of men outside of Christ as King of His established kingdom, and to the intrigues of men and the rebellious.

This only have I found: 

God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes. 

- Ecclesiastes 7: 29

Man plagues himself with pursuits that have nothing to do with doing God's will... nothing to do with love.

As the rise of knowledge (information - the 'knowing' of an idea or concept) continues to proliferate through the internet, people's minds are bamboozled and taken captive by many ridiculous notions... some baring an ounce of truth coupled with tons of falsehoods, or some being outright lies touted as 'truths'.

People argue over ever increasing intrigues that further divide themselves from God and their fellow man.

People do this to themselves.

People entangled by darkness yet arguing they see light.

The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by One Shepherd. 

Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. 

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. 

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: 

Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

- Ecclesiastes 12: 11-14

To pursue 'secret knowledge' of what may have happened or not, or what might be true or is not, is not as important as what one should focus on: being like Christ to everyone.

Some people plague their minds and hearts in pursuing ideas about what fallen angels had to say or did (yet not knowing if such information is even true).

Some people argue about the most ridiculous of things, and sadly I've found myself also arguing about the mundane and the ridiculous. 

Some people think themselves 'learned' because they repeat information, but who is to say they may have been listening to demons all the while... and then wonder why they only see evil in the world and fail to see how grace and blessings outweigh the trouble.

These fail to 'see' the kingdom of God... they are mere infants in the faith, if at all in the faith, no matter their age or their years in a religious setting.

Some people are unable to break free from troubles in their minds and hearts and are never at peace... likely due to what they are always focused on that is not of God or God's Way.

Point is: focus on things from Above (from God through Christ).

Ecclesiastes speaks to earthly pursuits and explains why they are futile, even things popular culture promotes as 'real living' but is simply the worship of physical and unspiritual things.

It is better to reflect on what is obviously 'bad' while considering whether or not such things are about forwarding His kingdom, or is simply like a dog chasing its tail.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!... 

...For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

- Matthew 6: 20-23, 32-34