There is a difference between a good idea and the right idea. An idea may be good but it may not be the right thing for us to do. A good idea is one that is agreeable, pleasing, or appealing to the mind; one that looks favourable, promising, and beneficial to us. But the right idea is one that is proper and suitable for us.
There is also a difference between a good idea and God’s idea. A good idea is often what we think is the right thing for us to do after evaluating the prevailing circumstances that surrounds our lives. But a God idea is what God wants us to do, and is a product of divine information, revelation or inspiration. Also, I have learnt from experience that God’s idea is often the right one, even though it may not look like a good idea.
The good idea that comes into our minds may not always be the right idea, and I’ll show you that from scriptures. I have also learnt from my study of the Scriptures that apart from our minds which generate ideas for us based on our knowledge, wisdom, and intellection, there are supernatural forces that seek to influence our lives and decisions by projecting ideas into our minds, and these supernatural powers are God and the devil.
Moses said to the people of Israel,
“Then Moses said, "I will show you proof that the LORD sent me to do all the things I told you. I will show you that all these things were not my own idea” (Num 16:28, Easy-to-Read Version)
Other supporting Scripture:
“So the elders asked for a king to lead them. Samuel thought this was a bad idea, so he prayed to the LORD. The LORD told Samuel, "Do what the people tell you. They have not rejected you. They have rejected me. They don't want me to be their king. They are doing the same thing they have always done. I took them out of Egypt, but they left me and served other gods. They are doing the same to you. So listen to the people and do what they say. But give them a warning. Tell the people what a king will do to them. Tell them how a king rules people." Those people asked for a king. So Samuel told them everything the LORD said. ” (1Samuel 8:6-10, Easy-to-Read Version)
This shows that some of our ideas are products of our cerebration or thinking. Also, in 1Chronicles 21:1, it is recorded that
“Satan decided to cause trouble for Israel by making David think it was a good idea to find out how many people there were in Israel and Judah” (Contemporary English Version)
This shows that some of the ideas we conceive may have been projected from the pit of hell to distort and interrupt God’s plans and purpose for our lives, and to bring about destruction.
Here are other supporting Scriptures:
“The woman could see that the tree was beautiful and the fruit looked so good to eat. She also liked the idea that it would make her wise. So she took some of the fruit from the tree and ate it. Her husband was there with her, so she gave him some of the fruit, and he ate it” (Gen 3:6, Easy-to-Read Version)
“Peter said, "Ananias, why did you let Satan fill your mind with such an idea? You kept part of the money for yourself and lied about it to the Holy Spirit!” (Act 5:3, Easy-to-Read Version)
“While supper was taking place, the devil had already put the idea of betraying Jesus into the mind of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot” (John 13:2, God's Word).
Nehemiah said,
“So God gave me the idea to bring together the people, their leaders, and officials and to check the family records of those who had returned from captivity in Babylonia, after having been taken there by King Nebuchadnezzar…” (Nehemiah 7:5, Contemporary English Version)
This is proof that God does give us ideas so we can do His will.
Here is another supporting Scripture:
“Blessed is the LORD, the God of our ancestors. He put the idea into the king's heart to honor the LORD'S Temple in Jerusalem” (Ezra 7:27, Easy-to-Read Version).
So in 1Chronicles 21:1 we see the devil influencing King David’s life and decisions by injecting a good idea into his mind. This shows that a good idea we conceive and probably act upon may have been projected from the pit of hell. Also, remember that David was a man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22), which shows that in spite of our spiritual maturity, in spite of the fact that we have a pure and sincere heart for the Lord, we should always Guard our hearts with all diligence, and depend on God’s wisdom, instead of leaning upon our own understanding (Proverbs 4:23, 3:5).
We have the responsibility to “tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We also capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ” (2Corinthians 10:5, Easy-to-Read Version). But to do this we must first recognise such ideas. We can only recognise such ideas if we “follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (Galatians 5:25, NLT) and “let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds… (Colossians 3:15)
Never forget that the fact that an idea is good does not necessarily mean that it is the right idea or God’s idea. A good idea is often what we think is the right thing to be done, but God’s idea is exactly what He wants us to do.
We often make mistakes in life because we choose to run with every good idea that comes into our minds, without considering if it is the right thing for us to do.
God bless you!
Maikh Etto
