This week's Bible Study - February 7, 2010
Are You in the Right Mind?
 Background Scripture:
Romans 8:5-8; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
Quote of the Week:
“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes."
-- Mahatma Gandhi
This next series of lessons involve the battle for our minds. Each of us must at times deal with our minds conflicting with our hearts. We are by nature humans and, as believers we know that our mindset must change from what is default. This series will examine our conflicting mind-sets, as well as how to pursue a way of thinking that contributes to spiritual growth. We need to learn to think and act in ways that are consistent with the new life we have in Christ. We are truly in a battle for the mind, and we will discuss how to win that battle by putting on the full armor of God.
"You're out of your mind!" Have you ever heard anybody say that to another person? Maybe you've said it to someone else or have heard it said to you. Generally, it is said in jest when a person hears something that catches them off guard, as it was unexpected. We can often recognize when we have been out of our mind. Have you ever said the words "It seemed the right thing to do". When did you say it? I know in my own life it often has occurred once I've made a colossal mistake, and I realized that I was out of my mind at the time!
There are many conditions that can lead to physical 'mind' issues. Perhaps you've had to deal with family members or friends that have had some form of dementia. If so, you know that the loss of a person's mind can be debilitating and can cause much concern. Often they will say things that they would never had said before, or do things that they had never done. Their mind loss seems to make them totally different people.
In the past several years, there has been much written in Christian circles regarding worldviews. A person's worldview is shaped through life and what they hold special. It is easy to mold at an early age, but it becomes harder over time, just like dried Play-Do. There are two basic types of worldviews - one is God's and the other is man's worldview. There are some things that we learn that are beneficial throughout life. Don't touch hot objects. Don't eat poisonous foods. Don't play in the street. Some of these things we learn by experience and others are common knowledge. There are other things that we learn through life that help to mold our way of thinking. As believers, we often struggle with seeing things as we would like to see them and seeing them as God sees them. His ways are above ours. While God sees the big picture, we settle with the Viewmaster shots.
We struggle at times between the two natures, and many think that they have 'solved' this problem by having two foundations (or so they think). One is sacred and the other is secular. Those people kid themselves by saying that one day, they'll move totally to God's way. They may think it will be when their goals are met, or when their kids are gone or when they retire. They may be hesitant to give it all to God because we 'think' that true happiness is through this or that. There is indeed a struggle that we all know. Are we thinking as we should think or are we thinking as the rest of the world thinks? The real problem is this - as we think, we begin to behave and then we become. Are you in the right mind or is your mind pointing you towards personal disaster?
This passage talks about the different ways to live one's life. They are very different in many regards. Their goals are different and how they view things are different. There are people who simply live according to their sinful nature. You know them and I know them. They may be people we work with, our neighbors, or just other people that we know in life. They probably look at your 'quirky' Christian lifestyle and make fun of it. Why not? Their minds are set on what comes naturally. What would be different in your life if you removed restraints and you just lived according to any whim you might have? Some people excuse this type of behavior, saying that is how God made them. The truth is that we were all made that way, but we know we can't just follow anything that comes to mind. Others seem to miss that point.
Although those who live according to their sinful nature may seem to have some temporary joy, the mind of sinful man leads to death. Everything about sin at some point seems right in some twisted manner, but we know the impact of sin - even if there seems to be a temporary release in giving in. As a believer, you know that when you live according to the sinful nature, you cannot please God. God isn't looking for a life of perfection, but a mind that is focused on the sinful nature does not submit to God. In fact, that mind cannot submit to God, as it is hostile towards God. None of us want to be engaged in a hostile relationship with God, but we need to realize that if our mind and our thoughts are aligned with our sinful nature, we cannot please God.
Contrasted to the mind that is set according to sinful nature, we as believers are called to live in accordance with the Spirit. We know that the Holy Spirit is in line with God's will. When we set our minds on what the Spirit desires, we are able to have fellowship with God. As opposed to the sinful mind that leads to death, the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Which would you choose? It is interesting that it mentions that our minds are to be controlled by the Spirit of God. It's not simply trying to do better, but getting yourself in a position where you are being led by the Spirit of God. This implies that we are truly seeking God and godly things in our lives. James 4:8 tells us to draw near to God and he will draw near to us.
This passage continues to speak of the existence of two spirits. One is from the world and the other is from God. Sometimes, you may find yourself thinking back to those cartoons that had the two characters on alternate shoulders. One was a little demon and the other was a little angel. Unfortunately, we can all relate to that. The spirit of the world will always be around, but if we set our minds on the right things, the impact of that spirit can be diminished.
As believers, we have received the spirit from God. Having the Spirit of God allows us to understand what he has given us. It is amazing to me how much understanding the Spirit of God gives us. I have taught Bible Study for many years and I am sure that I have a bit of an acquired skill in seeing things in Scripture, but I have certainly felt that the Spirit of God has given me deeper understanding of many spiritual things. It certainly didn't happen overnight, but as you seek the Spirit, the Spirit will make things known to you regarding the spiritual truths found in Scripture and can become very evident in our lives. Some have asked how I know what God is saying. I don't know exactly how to answer that tangibly, but I have certainly felt the leading of the Spirit of God in my life, although I have not always followed that leading, unfortunately.
Paul said that the words that he and other leaders had spoken were by the Spirit of God, and not based on human wisdom. Certainly, Paul had a strong background and religious education, but it was not based upon the truth of Christ. The Spirit of God gave Paul the words to say so that the gospel could be shared with many people. He was able to share spiritual truths and was able to speak in spiritual words. That same spirit desires to work in our lives.
In Romans 8:26, Paul tells us that the Spirit helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. The Spirit will help you in your prayers. Have you ever found yourself praying for something beyond your capabilities? At those points, we must rely on the Spirit to guide us in our prayers. It may be as you pray for others, or perhaps that you yourself are willing to accept the answer to the prayers that you pray. The Spirit of God will also help you as you share his words with others. There have been some very specific times in my life, especially on mission trips, where God has given me very poignant analogies and words to share spiritual truths to others who were open to hearing. It is good to train and know the type of things to say and do, but when you allow yourself to be controlled by the Spirit of God; you will find that much more can be done.
We must understand, however, that the spirit of the world does not accept the truths from the Spirit of God. Don't be fooled into thinking that if you allow yourself to be controlled by the Spirit of God that you will be able to astound worldly people with your spiritual knowledge. In fact, the more that you are led by the Spirit of God may lead some people to see you as speaking foolishness. They cannot begin to understand spiritual truth on their own. When we are able to share deep spiritual truths with people of the world, you will find it is much like trying to explain College Level Calculus to a kid in kindergarten. You can try and make it as easy as you can - but they won't get it on their own.
We must realize that the gospel will not be accepted by some people. On one hand, none of us seeks God on our own. In Romans 3, verses 10-12, we learn that there is none righteous, there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God. It doesn't say that very few will seek God, but it says that none will. I've heard people talk about a light switch that has to be flipped in our hearts before we will even seek God. The Spirit of God plays a significant role in flipping that switch. However, on the other hand, there is the god of this age, the spirit of this sinful world, that has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.
Sometimes, as believers, we see the beauty and majesty of God in many things - and others will look at the same things and not be moved. It has much to do with our minds and how connected they are to the Spirit of God, or how blinded they have become by the spirit of this world. It is a dangerous thing to allow our minds to become polluted with the things of this world, as it is in opposition to the things of God.
As Paul shared the gospel, it was accepted in many places because of the movement of the Spirit of God. Minds were enlightened to the point of being able to understand deep spiritual truths and to accept them. But, at the same time, there were minds that were shut off from any spiritual truth. Even with Jesus and the many things he did in his ministry, there were people who saw those things and heard him teach; yet they were not moved. Their minds couldn't comprehend what it was that they saw. Even today, there are many people who are walking in darkness, not realizing that there is the light of Christ in the world. And, from time to time, we allow our minds to be darkened to the light of Christ around us.
Closing
Do you find yourself aligning more closely with your sinful nature or are you being controlled by the Spirit of God? We all deal with the pull of the flesh - in many different ways. Our minds set the path for the rest of our lives. You'll find that most everything you do starts in your mind. As you think about it and find yourself dwelling on anything, you become more likely to do what you've been thinking about. What happens if your thoughts of the past few days actually take root in your life? Would you find yourself closer to God or would you find yourself in direct hostility with God? We tend to think that it's only thoughts, but thoughts lead down an ugly path, if they are not aligned with the Spirit of God.
The world wants you to associate with its desires. It pleads for you to follow. You will hear things like 'everyone else is doing it' or 'it's not a big deal' or things like that.
And, when we hear these things, many believers start telling themselves that if they truly line up with the Spirit of God that we will become spiritual duds to the rest of the world. Somehow, the world has even some of us believing that a true Christian life is boring. You can't do this or that. That's what the enemy wants you to believe. God is our creator and he knows how life is intended. He knows where we find fulfillment and it is offered in great measure in Christ. Those who are spiritually blind cannot see that fulfillment and unfortunately, we allow their voices to drown out the Spirit of God in our lives at times. lives. As believers in the midst of a lost world, we face this issue nearly every day. Are our thoughts lining up with the world or are we being controlled by the Spirit of God?
Realize that you are in a battle. The places that you allow your mind to go can either be an ally or they can become an internal foe. Don't allow yourself to be moved the spirit of this world. Be vigilant, knowing that the enemy would love nothing more than to get unfettered access to your mind. Are we giving in to the default form of living which may acknowledge Christ, but only from a distance? Or, are we truly lining up our minds with the Spirit of God?
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