He is on and in my mind!

Is it possible that an aging mind often becomes an extreme version of the way a person thinks most of their earlier life? My mom has Alzheimer’s and in the early stages we talked about it. I told her I didn’t dwell on the past and my memory of early events was dim, so if/when I lost my short-term memory, my mind would be a total blank. We both laughed.

This morning’s devotional reading is about the power of the mind to choose. It gives this as an example:

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:5–6)

I almost laughed when I read it. My mind is what some call scattered. I’m easily distracted and focus has always been a challenge. However, the Lord has taught me His solution. To be able to think clearly and focus on Him, I must be filled with the Spirit. That means all known sin is confessed, and I trust Him to put in my head what He wants me to think about, to say, and to do. This is a freedom. 

I’ve had situations where I said something that just “popped out” and later wondered where that came from, yet it was always appropriate and fit with the fruit of the Spirit. No setting my mind or thinking what was the right thing; it was just there.

Now as I read these verses, it seems more a description of two ways to think rather than a choice of what to think. That is, if I am filled with the Spirit of God, I will be thinking as the Spirit thinks. If I am not filled, I will be thinking fleshy thoughts, always self-focused, trying to impress listeners, promote myself, and so on. 

Selfish living is separated from God, and the word of God calls that spiritual death. Abiding in Him in total faith and under His control sets my mind on the Spirit and that is life and peace.

And for me, being filled with His Spirit can leave my body entirely exhausted, which I cannot explain. I just know that when I am trusting the Lord, conversations with others seem to take energy out of me and I become very tired. Perhaps this is because the energy of the Spirit is no longer needed and I’m left with that old self? Not sure. Opinions and thoughts are welcome. 
Yesterday was an example. I went to bed early and slept soundly, and hours longer than normal, but woke up feeling renewed. God gave me fresh ideas in my sleep about being organized even if I have memory problems, and how to practice hospitality without many resources. The sense of having worshiped in my sleep was strong. What a gift…

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:9–11)
For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

PRAY: How awesome. It is true that You are all that I need. I only need to believe You and give You my heart and mind, and You fill me with whatever You want me to think, say, and do. You alway amaze and even surprise me. Truly, to live is Christ! Thank You.
 

Think!

The news along with other observations of human behavior seem to reveal that the practice of thinking is being abandoned. Much of what is called ‘news’ contains speculation rather than facts. Pundits debate the future in sports, politics, and other areas. Not only that, logic is often missing. How many times does someone say, “What were they thinking?” A rhetorical question for the obvious — “Nothing!” 

AI is tempting. No one has to think when technology will do it for them. Cause and effect are less of an issue with a population that continually blames others for the results of their own bad choices. We say “You make me angry” to others, relinquishing our ability to control our own emotions. Logic is replaced by opinion and thinking through many issues is given to search engines or not bothered with at all.

Today, Piper points to a NT challenge: 

Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (2 Timothy 2:7)

Yesterday I was thinking how hard it is to listen to the Lord when I am praying. I know He knows my thoughts, and His will is often in my heart. The Bible does say: “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)

But then there is that old mind, the way of thinking that comes from the flesh, the selfish and sinful old nature that Jesus replaced. He is at work to renew my mind so that I understand His will:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

This does not say I will be able to understand all things (like medical terms, engineering, the game of Cricket, or if crabs have eyebrows) but He will let me in on His will. This comes with grace yet requires something from me:

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:17–24)

Putting off the old self requires the ability to recognize the old self. It requires humility and thinking, not assuming all I do is fine with God. I need to feed the new nature by reading God’s will in His Word, not only to grow but also to survive the battle against those sins that keep me thinking only about myself and what I want… 

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:1–3)

The Bible says that knowledge puffs up. Jesus told of the prideful Pharisee who considered himself better than the humble publican, but was not thinking biblically. That kind of thinking is summed up even in the OT:

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:18–20)

PRAY: This is a big topic for those who don’t think deeply, or don’t reason together with God. It is a challenge to grasp the reality of redemption for sinners by grace through faith yet You have given us a great gift — a new mind, Your mind. Being willing to use it, and being obedient to what You say, is the challenge when You tell me to think and to rely on Your understanding. I have a book called, “How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci” yet You tell me I can think with Your mind. Jesus, increase my ability to think as You think. Oh my, what a wonder that this is even possible!

The assurance of faith…

 

These days it seems much easier to see the evil and hardness of heart in the world than it is to see the grand things that God is doing. The focus on bad news fits with media’s mantra of “It bleeds, it leads” while the good news often has Jesus Christ stamped all over it and is filed away.

For example, we watched a narrowly won football game and in the interview of a winning team member, that player gives glory to the Lord for his ability to play well. Then the program abruptly switches to a commercial.

Months ago, a group of missionaries were abducted by criminals. When they returned home, the news reported their rescue, but the mission board website told of a miraculous escape with a locked door left open and they simply walked out and went home. No rescue involved, but the media does not like mysterious events that point to ‘only God’ so the story became tainted.
This builds a distrust in the media, and it goes two ways. I’m not sure anyone would believe it if they did report the God-events that happen.

The Bible says there will be events that are currently unimaginable, even for those who know and love God, except that God has a way of cluing us in:

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9–10)

Revelations from God are difficult to describe for they are not based on presumption, or some inner, strong ‘I want’ but on the power of God to communicate by faith without visible evidence. It is a sense of knowing. Some will say, “God told me” but this has been used by those who presume, or are listening to a strong inner desire, so it is has become a suspect reason to dismiss those statements.

One NT definition of faith uses creation, along with understanding God’s acceptance of His people, as an example:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:1–3)

I just know that God created all things. I’ve read the evolution arguments and heard what is said, but in my heart, I just know the biblical account is true. I also know that God accepts me because of Christ and what He has done for me. Neither are visible in the sense of having a sensory proof, but faith just knows.

Without faith, all this seems ridiculous. No matter. The Bible also says:

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:14–16)

At times, my mind will get distracted by media, contrary reports, blah, blah, blah, but the mind of Christ is powerful. He keeps telling me to not listen to any feeble human attempts to describe the world, but pay attention to the powerful thoughts He gives, thoughts of faith that cover not only the personal problems that I struggle with, but the events in the world that seem so godless and filled with evil intent. Faith tells me that God remains sovereign, that He has a plan that will work out just as He desires. The news may report that ‘many have died’ but the language of the Lord says ‘much more are being saved’ whether I can see the evidence or not.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:33)

PRAY: Faith in You has visible results, the main one being Your peace in my heart. I don’t know what You are doing in the world, nor my family, nor even in my own life at times. But I do know You are who You are — and You can be trusted. Your wisdom and knowledge are complete, total, and correspond to Your holiness, love, and plan for this world, and for my life. Unsearchable and inscrutable are big words, yet the little word ‘faith’ overcomes their power — because of You.

 

Union with Christ

 
It is an amazing thing that God should unite Himself to those who believe in Him. It is a difficult and life-long process to learn that this is not only true but how to put it into practice — by living in His power instead of my own.

My friend LS said last week that our problem is discernment. Knowing the difference between ‘my will’ and His voice. For both of us, being a Christian most of our lives means that we have many good thoughts and ideas, yet we realize not all of them come from Jesus. Sometimes our ideas are just our ideas, not something the Lord is saying to us. Discernment between what is flesh and what is Spirit becomes more difficult as we age. He weeded out the obvious but that sinful self combined with the enemies lies seems to become more subtle.

That said, the Scriptures are so necessary. My old self will even try to twist them if I don’t keep  checking my ‘good ideas’ out before acting on them. On the other hand, there are some occasions when the difference is obvious. The will of God is so impressive and I know that I could never have thought the amazing ideas that He puts in my mind.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:14–16)

Learning the difference — that is discernment, but having the mind of Christ and the Word of God makes the difference.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12–13)

God did not leave me to figure this out with my own resources. Otherwise, clueless me would never know what is from Him and what I dream up. In my union with Christ, I can draw on His mind to help me discern what is what. Not only that, He already knows. I cannot hide anything from Him. I simply need to let Him and His Word do their job.

If this sounds like something only for mature believers, today’s reading points out that the following passages were spoken to new believers who were still very fleshy…

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? (1 Corinthians 3:1–3)

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)

This indwelling God is the possession of even the weakest and most immature believer in Christ. It is for babes in Christ as well as those who have been Christians for decades. Every believer is a “temple of the Holy Spirit” and all of us have access to the mind of Christ and to the Word of God to help us understand His will.

I’m thinking, the problem is not in having the ‘tools’ but not having the desire. That old sinful nature is dead, separated from God, yet it still tries to run my life and be glorified instead of yielding to God. Sin wants to be comfortable not disciplined, and do its own thing rather than the will of God. This is why we say our enemies are the world, the flesh, and the devil.

PRAY: God, I can resist the world, and I can realize the devil’s schemes, but my old flesh is somethings more subtle. Thank You that You gave me Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Your Word to help me discern the flesh and also say NO to it.

Wisdom is for . . .

 

In (Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ. (Ephesians 1:7–9)

My dad said some people were “educated idiots.” I met a woman with no schooling at all yet she was incredibly wise. Most of us know children who are “wise beyond their years.” I have a Master’s degree and often do something that makes me say, “Oh, am I ever stupid.”

The dictionary defines wisdom as “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise” but it does not define how ‘good judgment’ is measured or by what standard. Another definition is biblical and says wisdom is “becoming aware of your words, your emotions, your thoughts and your actions and learning to align those with the heart of Jesus.”

Today’s devotional has that in mind. The writer is highly educated but he says, “Even if you haven’t obtained academic degrees, you have wisdom that far surpasses the most educated unbeliever.” He knows that Intelligence doesn't guarantee wisdom, and vice versa. They seem similar, but are different as my dad bluntly said, even though it is possible to have both.

God’s redemption is about forgiveness and removing the guilt and penalty of sin, but it is also about the gifts of spiritual insight and wisdom in how to apply it in practical ways. For instance, the Spirit of God gives understanding that God created the world and is sovereign. His wisdom isn’t so much about taught things but revealed truth. It is also about knowing why I am here and have a priority to live a godly life, and knowing that I can do whatever He asks, even things that seem beyond my abilities. I also know that this is not about my IQ.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:14–16)

Those without Christ usually consider biblical truth as foolish or cannot make sense of it. This explains why, and why I cannot take credit for being able to know God’s ways are wise and good. However, I do know that spending lots of time in the Bible builds my understanding. As the psalmist says,

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. (Psalm 119:97–101)

Yesterday I sat next to a man in an airplane who uses his wisdom to rid people of fear and other emotional problems. He is an expert in how the human brain works, but also understands NT principles. This conversation was incredible because of how we understood each other. He wrote down my examples and stories. At one point he said something that reminding me of a rather obscure author’s work and I asked if he knew that author. He reached into his carry-on and pulled out that man’s latest book. Upon reflection, it seemed as if the mind of Christ was involved in our exchange rather than personal opinions or educational tidbits.

Lord, You often amaze me. To realize that any wise thoughts I have or hear from others is from You gives me a huge sense of Your incredible grace. You spoke the world into existence. You created sunsets and orchids and dancing horses, butterflies and clouds, mountains and waterfalls, wise elders and wiser children, and You share your wisdom with sinners who repent. I am in awe of You.

STUDY and FOLLOW GOD’S WILL: Ephesians 5:17–18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Peter 2:13–15; 1 Peter 3:17; 2 Peter 3:9. 

 

Lord, remodel my mind . . .

 

There are times when I must do something but my body resists. That old saying, “Put your mind to it” is the only way to get going some mornings, or to get up from dinner and do dishes. My mind is also easily distracted and can think of a million things I’d rather do than the task at hand. Rather than let those “I wants” determine my day, the Lord is teaching me about being determined of MIND by taking me through the Bible to see what He says about His mind and mine..

The OT uses this word to describe several things. The most pertinent for me is a noun that is best translated “plans” or “thoughts” and can describe the plans of either individuals or God. What makes God’s mind different from mine?

For one thing, Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” I’m not in a habit of lying, but can often change my mind. Also, sometimes I fail to do whatever I say I will do.

I’m not the only one. In the OT, the leaders of God’s people had trouble being true to their calling. God promised He would “raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind” making obvious that we are not capable of doing what is on His mind without His help.

The best example is Solomon. He prayed, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” and God responded, “Behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. He gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore” so that “The whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind.”

Even though this man’s mind was blessed by God, Solomon was open to it, humble enough to realize that he could not be a good king without God’s help. God says to me to have the same determination:

1 Chronicles 22:19. “Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God . . . .”

Job 38:36. “Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?“

Proverbs 28:26. “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”

Jeremiah 17:10 adds another thought, “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” God rewards those who learn to think like He thinks, but this can be a challenge. Jesus, God in human flesh, was misunderstood because His way of life was so different than anyone else. If I think (and therefore behave) like Jesus, I may not be popular!

Mark 3:20–21. "Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, 'He is out of his mind.' ”

Even His disciple struggled with it, Peter in particular. When Jesus spoke of what was going to happen to Him, Peter said, “No . . . .” and Jesus rebuked him with, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

God also says in Romans 8:6-7: “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.”

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. Setting  my mind on the things of God is impossible if I follow the whims of my self-centeredness. Instead, He says I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and must nurture it and obey what I do know before He will show me any more about how He thinks. Also, Romans 12:2 tells me, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Obviously, mind renewal requires keeping my thoughts on God and refusing to try and tell Him what to do, as if my plans could understand His mind without His blessing to reveal it.