Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) had one of the greatest minds in history. Receiving his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Leipzig in 1869, he spent a major portion of his life teaching at Basel in Switzerland and writing from his chalet in the beautiful village of Sils Maria in the Swiss Engadine.

Though possessed with a brilliant mind and great breadth of knowledge, Nietzsche was an immoral man, engaging in numerous adulterous relationships. His lustful heart molded a deceived intellect that was the first to say, in the modern era, that God is dead. His concepts of "supermen" and the "will to power" greatly influenced both the rise of Nazism in his home country and Marxism in Russia. In 1869 he had a breakdown and ultimately went insane. He died on August 25, 1900, of syphilis. Though brilliant in mind, his impure heart had driven him to error, insanity, and finally death.
 
Solomon is called in Scripture the wisest man who ever lived (I Kings 3:12). In the earlier years of his life, he followed the example of his father, David, walking with God and maintaining a good heart before Him. As long as he obeyed God, he was blessed with wisdom, knowledge, riches, and stature. Sometime during his reign, Solomon's heart began to turn away from God through the lustful pursuit of foreign women whom he took as wives (I Kings 11:1-6). As his heart descended into the darkness of lust and idol worship, his mind became confused and depressed.

Toward the end of his life, in total mental despair, he cried out in the writing of Ecclesiastes: "Useless! Useless! Completely useless! Everything is useless....So I decided to find out about wisdom and knowledge and also about foolish thinking, but this turned out to be like chasing the wind. But then I looked at what I had done, and I thought about all the hard work. Suddenly I realized it was useless, like chasing the wind" (excerpts from Ecclesiastes 1,2).

Both Friedrich Nietzsche and King Solomon--separated by nearly two thousand years of history--made tragic mistakes. They thought they could be wise without the protection of a good heart. They were wrong. Knowledge, without goodness, only makes men miserable. If your heart is wrong, you cannot use knowledge in satisfying and beneficial ways to the glory of God.

Be a Thinker
  
We need to use our minds. Many people don't like that idea. We've grown so used to living by our feelings that critical, reasoned thought sounds like work. "Tell me what to do, but don't ask me to think," has become a common cry. Modern man, through rejecting God, has become like Solomon. Thinking makes us sad (Ecclesiastes 1:17) because we're lost and confused. So we've sidetracked that incredible mind that God has given us and allowed the engine of our emotions to pull the train.

As an example, on January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court with the stroke of a pen changed thousands of years of revelation and clear thinking by condoning abortion on demand (the infamous Roe v. Wade decision). Abortion had been considered the most hideous of crimes for over four thousand years. To any reasonable mind, it was wrong revelationally, legally, morally, medically, scientifically, ethically, and socially. Yet, except for a small segment of the Catholic Church and a few conservative activists, most American Christians didn't even blink.

Paul mentions the importance of a strong and thoughtful mind to our overall Christian lives in Romans 12:2 where he says: "Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect." We can develop clear and forceful minds by: 1. Asking questions as we read God's word. 2. Contemplating and pondering the issues of our day. 3. Talking and reasoning with God and His people. 4. Being diligent to study and look for answers. 5. Maintaining curiosity and inquisitiveness. 6. Always asking, seeking, and knocking.

Be a Reader

I remember a book a few years ago called Why Johnny Can't Read. It described the 150-year decline of reading skills in the United States and the dramatic results of illiteracy. The problem was that very few people read the book! Reading is vital to learning. It probably has no equal as a communicator. It focuses attention, reveals clearly (in black and white), allows time for meditation (you control the speed), encourages logical thinking, and even teaches spelling and grammar.

God's primary method of transmitting information to man has been through the written word--the Bible. That shows the high value He places on reading. The devil knows this. He uses illiteracy for his own purposes. If people are unable read, they can't read the Bible. Also, he knows that if he can discourage those who are able to read by keeping them from enjoying it, he can keep them away from the knowledge of God.

What made Ezra a great leader in Israel? "Ezra...was a teacher, knew well the Teachings of Moses that had been given by the Lord...had worked hard to know and obey the Teachings of the Lord and to teach his rules and commands"(Ezra 7:6,10). What was one of the secrets of Timothy's walk with God? "You should continue following the teachings you learned...Since you were a child you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 3:14,15).

All great leaders have been readers. It's been true in history and is especially true today in the age of rapidly changing information that you must read to lead . This starts with our commitment to the best book of all--the Bible. A few years ago I realized that I was not growing in certain areas of my life because I was not taking time to read. Work, pleasure, television, and other distractions had crowded in. I decided to start reading again and came up with three new concepts. First, to meditate and digest the material I read. Second, to master a few books rather than to scan many. And finally, to read the best books available related to my gifts and calling.

Be a Writer

Francis Bacon once said, "Reading maketh a full man; speaking, a ready man; writing, an exact man." Writing has been man's main form of passing information from one generation to another. How grateful we should be that the writers of the books of the Bible valued the written form. Writing is an important discipline and an invaluable tool to gain thorough understanding. If you don't now enjoy writing, you might try to develop the skill by taking notes wherever you go, especially when you're in a setting where God's truth is being shared. Then rewrite your notes. I learned this from a biology teacher when I was a freshman in college. He told his students that he could guarantee them a good grade if they would simply rewrite their notes from his class. It forces you to organize and remember what you have heard better.
 
A final aspect of writing that has a multitude of benefits is the practice of keeping a spiritual diary or journal on a regular basis. I've been keeping a spiritual journal for 38 years now. It helps me to see how God is working in my life right at the moment. It reminds me of guidance or direction He has given me in the past. It allows me to recall His miracles and faithfulness. And it will provide a lasting testimony to my friends and family.

The Bible likens wisdom and knowledge to a precious treasure, to be sought after and guarded at all cost (Proverbs 3:13-26). We have seen the importance of developing the disciplines of thinking, reading, and writing. With a virtuous heart and a knowledgeable mind, we are on our way to achieving our highest potential and protecting our cherished freedoms. Samuel Adams, one of America's founders, said: "While people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader... If virtue and Knowledge are diffused among the people they will never be enslaved. This will be their security."

Good heart (virtue). Strong mind (knowledge).

Both are vital vitals keys to successful individuals and nations.