WHO'S GOVERNOR OF YOUR MIND?


Much emphasis is placed on the mind and especially what we do with it - in Scripture. Jesus charged believers to love God with "all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). What does this look like? Try to always think about Him and things connected to Him. Also, study His Word.

There are a plethora of influences that can distract the believer's mind from God. Jesus, speaking to Satan as he manipulated Peter momentarily, said - "...you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of man." (Matthew 16:23) Notice that Jesus stated Satan's agenda is keeping humanity's focus on ourselves - "the things of man". Paul, in his letter to the church in Ephesus, also spoke to Satan's tricks. "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." (Ephesians 6:11) The word "schemes" translates to mind games. Remember what Christ told His disciples as He sent them out to minister? "Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16) The enemy is crafty, so believers must be and it all starts with the mind.

With Christ and Paul emphasizing this target - is it any real surprise that we have Paul encouraging believers to be spiritually prepared for battle against the devil's mind games with The Helmet of Salvation? (Ephesians 6:17) It is a piece of the armor of God that we can pray for that protects our thoughts. The helmet is also meant to keep our thoughts focused on God and His work of salvation in our lives - hince the name.

Paul also challenges us to...
  • "take every thought captive and make it obey Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)
  • "set your mind on things above, not earthly things." (Colossians 3:2)
  • "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)
Just taking every thought captive is a challenge, but the more you practice the more you are made perfect. Mr. Rick Renner qualifies the phrase "take every thought captive" by saying - "The words 'bringing into captivity' [KJV] are from the Greek word aichmalotidzo, which pictured a soldier who has captured an enemy and now leads him into captivity with the point of a sharpened spear thrust into the flesh in his back. The captured enemy knows that if he tries to move or get away, the Roman soldier will shove that spear clear through his torso and kill him. Therefore, this captive doesn't dare move but remain silent, submissive and non-resistant." (p.629, Sparkling Gems From the Greek)

I do not like the saying, "Do not be so heavenly minded you are no earthly good." I think this is a misnomer and flies in the face of verses like Colossians 3:2. I believe if we have the proper focus toward God and Heaven, He will help us take care of things below.

Being transformed by the renewing of your mind calls for a daily process of deliberate thought about God. It is not a one-and-done deal. Believers in particular will meet new and tough challenges because of the hate of our enemy and our mind drenched in His Word will help tremendously.

So, there comes an image I would like to portray - a beautiful throne, set in the middle of your mind, which controls tremendous power over your body, future, and others. I believe many things have tried to sit upon that chair of authority as Governor of our minds. However, Paul narrows it down to two considerations - the flesh or sinful nature as Governor which would result in death of all kinds OR the Holy Spirit as Governor of your mind which would result in life and peace. The actual passage in Romans 8:5-9 says this - 

"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you."


In the voice of the commercial - "What's in your wallet?" - I say, "Who's The Governor Of Your Mind?"



Comments