The Power Of Audacious Thoughts

The first thing I thought when I reviewed the account of the Tower of Babel was what in the world was that audacity? So audacious were their thoughts to build a city and a tower reaching the sky that God literally came down to see (Genesis 11:5) and was compelled to act, confusing their language, so that they ceased to understand one another's speech (Genesis 11:7)

The very creative power that the Lord had given man was used to go against His plans and contrary to His Will.

And the Lord said, behold, the people is one and they have all one language, and this they begin to do, and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do (Genesis 11:6)

The Amplified version says 'this is only the beginning of what they will do in rebellion against Me and now no evil thing they imagine they can do will be impossible for them.' The Message translation says that there was ‘no telling what they’ll come up with next’

Depending on the context, audacity can be either positive or negative. A few positive synonyms from the Merriam-Webster dictionary include bold, forward, wise, fresh, saucy and sassy. The flip side of this is defiant, brash, cock-sure, impertinent and a smart-aleck.

Audacious thoughts have power, but the wrong audacious thoughts are destructive.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) tells us to demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Just as it’s very possible for our thoughts to lead us in rebellion against God, when we submit our thoughts to Him, He helps us, by His Spirit, make big bold (audacious) moves aligned to His Will for us.

For who has known the mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes] (1 Corinthians 2:16 AMP)

Here are a few Bible verses for us to reflect on so that our thoughts can be conformed to the mind of Christ:

• Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil (Prov 3:5 -7NKJV)

• Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2 NLT)

• And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Phil 4:8 NLT)

• Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do (Joshua 1:8 NLT)

My prayer for us is that we will use our powerful God-tools to smash warped philosophies, tear down barriers erected against the truth of God, and fit every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5 Message Translation) so that we can have big, bold, audacious thoughts that aligned to the Father's Heart.