FOLLOW THE TRAIN OF THOUGHT? – “DIVIDE IT RIGHTLY”

“Train of Thought” is an idiomatic expression in the English language. One of the definitions I could find online for it is, as follows…
– “The train of thought or track of thought refers to the interconnection in the sequence of ideas expressed during a connected discourse or thought, as well as the sequence itself, especially in discussion how this sequence leads from one idea to another.”

Following the “Train of Thought” is essential, in any human conversation, to get an understanding of what is being said by a person. Following the train of thought, helps one to get the whole picture, of what is being expressed. If we miss the train of thought, we miss the point. From then on, it is walking the path of wrongful understanding, and wrongful conclusions. Then, whatever we conclude, is being said, by the other person, becomes the reality and truth for us. We can pick and choose from all that is said, and make it speak whatever we want. We may not be intentional in such erroneous assumptions, because we may not have realised that we missed the train of thought, and therefore missed the whole point.

I have observed many times good intending Christians mistakenly taking Bible verses out of context or taking partial point, and make it say whatever they wish. One of the reference which is greatly quoted is found in Joshua 1:6-9, where YAHWEH speaks to Joshua about the role he is to play in the life of the Hebrew people, as they enter the promised land. He is chosen to be the leader, and God is giving Joshua clear and crystallised instructions, so that Joshua would not only know what the LORD is wanting, but also how to go about it.
– “6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”
– “7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.”
– “8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
– “9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:6-9

The main points, that YAHWEH is speaking with Joshua are… 
– do not fear or be afraid of the task that is given to you.
– do all that the LORD had commanded you.
– meditate upon the law of the LORD day and night to get the proper insight into what he LORD is asking us to do.
– when you do all the above, then the LORD God Almighty, YAHWEH the Deliverer, will be with you, and will walk you into victory.

Many times, we see, preachers and teachers, simply “HOP, SKIP and JUMP” to the conclusions – “God is with us, do not be afraid, we will prosper in everything that we undertake.”* This is not what the text is saying. *It is not, we do whatever we want, and the LORD simply seconds it, and does everything in our favour.

We certainly can take the entire essence, of what is being said, and apply the principles to appropriate contexts. This is possible, and not an error. However, one needs to be diligent and cautious, before concluding, to arrive at proper conclusions.

May the LORD help us to be diligent students of the LORD, and His Bible. May we learn to rightly divide the Word of God, and properly understand it, in its proper context, and in all its intentions.
– “15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15
Even so the LORD help us.