475 – What Do You Think About God? A Diagnostic Question

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. – A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

It would be easy to read a statement like Tozer’s above and feel guilty or judgmental. But instead of reading it like a prosecutor, try reading it like a diagnostician. What I think about God tells me a lot about who I think God is.

Do I think of a gentle grandpa or Santa Claus? It’s sometimes easy to brush off sin as “no big deal,” because my loving Grandpoppy God will always forgive me. I can expect God to give me gifts as long as I’m good enough. This ignores God’s justice and holiness.

Do I think of a distant authority figure? This might cause me to rely on my own strength, to “pull myself up by my own bootstraps” spiritually, so that when God does notice, He will be happy with my efforts, or at least not angry with me. This ignores God’s presence and personal interest in my life.

Do I think of an angry judge? This will result in living a life of fear and guilt. I might live my whole life cringing or hiding to avoid punishment, or become hyper-performance driven so that I can shove my success in God’s face. This ignores God’s love, grace and compassion.

Do I not think of a person at all, but rather an impersonal force governing the universe with natural laws? I really am on my own, working within a framework that somehow makes sense. I can focus on making a contribution or accumulating wealth in a moral way. This ignores God’s sovereignty and personhood.

What do the men you lead think about when they think of God? Ask them! Go on a quest to explore the Scriptures together and discover the true nature of God. Help men confront the issues in their lives that affect the way they view God. Challenge men to know the One, True God.