When a person has an open mind he is willing to consider new ideas. He tries to eliminate prejudice or pre-conceived thoughts about something and honestly tries to evaluate the new concept in all fairness. In other words, when a person with an open mind hears something new, his first answer is not, “No” and his first thought is not negative or suspicious of evil. The open-minded person seeks to learn more about what is new with interest and challenges himself to give full consideration to the new idea before making a decision. In the Lord’s church today it is sometimes difficult for members to truly have an open mind. This challenge comes from those who say, “This is the way we have always done it” or, “I have never seen it done like that before.” It comes from long standing traditions on optional matters that members may often believe are not optional but, “the way it should be.” It is needful for each Christian to remember that there are God-given “traditions” that must be kept (2 The. 2:15); yet, there are other traditions such as: using song books, meeting twice on Sunday, or ending each service with a prayer that are not to be Scripturally bound. From God’s vantage point, being open-minded is a good thing. In fact, the Bereans were praised for this character trait: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). According to Strong’s the term, “noble” literally means, “well-born.” It was used by Greeks to refer to those of noble birth; yet, was also applied to those who are of noble character and open to evidence. Luke recorded a contrast between the Jews in Thessalonica and those in Berea. Among those in Thessalonica, only “some of them believed” (Acts 17:4); however, in Berea “many of them believed” (Acts 17:5). What was the reason for the difference? Those in Berea were “more noble” or, it could be said, more “open-minded” to the Truth. The result of this good character trait was that they received the word with eagerness and examined what he said with the Scriptures—not with their pre-conceived beliefs. Let us all truly resolve to be like the noble minded Bereans investigating and using God’s Word as the only religious guide and authority (Col. 3:17; Titus 2:15). ~Derrick Coble