The phrase “As a man thinks in his heart,” from Proverbs 23:7, has been used over the years in a variety of ways. In 1902, a British writer, whose inspirational books and poetry caused him to be regarded as a pioneer of the “self-help movement” (James Allen: 1864-1912), even wrote a book titled As a Man Thinketh. Allen used the phrase to stress the importance of positive thinking. For example:
The aphorism, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he,” not only embraces the
whole of a man’s being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition
and circumstance of his life. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the
complete sum of all his thoughts.
As the plant springs from, and could not be without, the seed, so every act of a man
springs from the hidden seeds of thought, and could not have appeared without them.
This applies equally to those acts called “spontaneous” and “unpremeditated” as to
those which are deliberately executed. (From: As a Man Thinketh, chapter 1)
As commendable as the above thought may be, the verse from which Allen took the title for his book actually deals with the need to be aware that overt generosity may hide negative motives and/or feelings.
Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; for as he things in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. (Prov. 23:6, 7)
Motives, though hidden behind words and/or actions, are the true indicators of the heart. If foundational beliefs (upon which thoughts are based) are unsound, presumptuous, and/or irrational – it should not be surprising that resultant points of view and conclusions are faulty. The apostle Paul (before he became a Christian) thought that he “ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9) which proved to be an erroneous conclusion based upon erroneous information. Before becoming a Christian, Paul’s perception was that he was correct and that Christianity was wrong. The Jews had “a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:2b, 3).
What was true for Paul prior to his conversion to Christ is true for everyone else – perception is reality. How, then, can anyone know that they haven’t fallen into the trap of believing something which is false? One key is found in Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, after he has written about his heart’s desire (Rom.10:1-3).
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith . (Rom. 12:2-3)
“Renewing” the mind can only take place if the mind is open to change. The mindset of which Paul writes in Romans 12 acknowledges the supremacy of God’s will over that of our own (“prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”) and warns against the danger of arrogance and pride (“not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think”). As long as anyone is shackled to a delusion of grandeur rather than an awareness of being a student of life and of God’s word each day, growth is stifled and true potential is not met. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” May we be aware of the motive/motives behind thoughts and actions and always endeavor to walk in the footsteps of Christ (I Pet. 2:21). Have a blessed week!