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Weekly Wisdom Winnows
by Lisa Mendenhall
What is a shallow person? What does the word shallow mean? What does the Bible say about shallow people? Lets define the word shallow: Shallow means not very deep. Used metaphorically, it is a derogative term used to describe people who are perceived to be superficial or without "depth". People that are labeled shallow are often superficial, petty and materialistic. They are often ones that lack depth of character. So that means it goes back to your character.
There are a lot of people that are skin-deep so to speak. They think only on the things that they can see touch and feel. They have no depth in themselves and so when hard times come or things go wrong they respond out of their feelings and their flesh and not by what the word says. In Mark 4:17-The Message Translation says, "But there is such shallow soil of character that when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it." Good News Translation (2nd ed.) states it this way, "But it does not sink deep into them, and they don't last long. So when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, they give up at once."
What are some examples of shallow-minded people? How about one that cuts people down to make themselves look bigger? Or ones that have to have the last word just to prove they are right, no matter the cost to the other persons feelings? I think about this one a lot, the people that care more about what others think about them rather than what God thinks about them, pleasing men rather than God. They help someone for show and not out of a true heart, always wanting to be the star of the show because they are not content with being number 2 or number 3-ALWAYS having to be number 1. In other words, they are selfish! How about this one, thinking you are more spiritual than the other person so you don't receive anything they might could share with you or teach you? Or this one, always saying you will do something for someone, but when it comes down to it, you have 100 excuses why you can't or you just don't show up leaving people in a bind. Using earthly wisdom to get ahead of the game instead of God's wisdom. Trying to find the easy way to make a buck or the easy way out.
James 3:15 (AMP) says, "This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal)."
There is no way this kind of wisdom and shallow thinking can help you grow in Christ and become closer to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 (AMP) says, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]."
This is the key to growing out of shallowness and into spiritual maturity. Renewing your mind and your soul (your emotions) to the word of God and how God says to live and move and have your being. Doing it God's way is not the easy way, but it is the way that works and brings you success in your daily walk in this world. If you want to have a deeper walk with God and grow up in Christ, step out of the shallowness of this world system and into the wisdom of God's system. It is guaranteed to be what you need to be successful now in this lifetime.
Rate it:
'To separate the chaff from (grain) by means of a current of air. To rid of undesirable parts. To separate or get rid of (an undesirable part); eliminate: winnowing out the errors in logic. ...separate grain from chaff...separate the good from the bad...examine closely in order to separate the good from the bad; sift...' (www.dictionary.com) 'This study gave me direction and focus for my teaching. God had placed a longing in my heart to teach the body of Christ how to separate from carnal thinking and rid themselves of old ways that hinder their Spiritual growth. I desire to see them live victoriously, by the 'higher ways' of God's wisdom.'
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