A concept is that which governs our thought patterns and usually overrides other opinions and provides the underlying structure for our actions and behavioural patterns.
When Apostle Paul wrote that we should not allow the world to squeeze us into its mould, the idea is that the world will deposit its concepts in us so that these in return will govern our thoughts, actions and sense of progress. When the same Apostle warns about the warfare going on inside our minds in 2 Corinthians 10:3 – 5, we are told to pull down strongholds, cast down imaginations, high things and bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
More recent translations use the word “preconceptions” and “arguments” for strongholds and high things. The singular effect of the fall of man is that it created in man a desire for independence from God. We have our independent judgements, opinions and thoughts and these mainly flow from our nature and nurture (environmental factors and upbringing). When God’s word comes to us it meets with these preconceptions and they tend to reduce or completely nullify the effect that God’s word could have on us. Who would have thought that that Joseph’s incarceration, after a righteous act of not yielding to his master’s wife, would be met with seeming silence from God?
He went to prison and God’s judgement did not fall from heaven to destroy the lady who wanted to cheat on her husband. Rather the innocent went to jail for doing what was right. You see our concept of right and wrong can affect our perspectives in life. This is why forgiveness is hard on us. Love in its purest motive is strange to the fallen nature. This is why we should keep the level of our yieldedness to God to be a high priority in our spiritual walk.
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