It’s All in Your Mind

yet, every decision of our lives, whether spiritual or secular, is made on the basis of our minds. Thus, the statement that, "We need converted minds," becomes extremely important to the Christian. To the believer with the ind\o\lelling Holy Spirit, the mind becomes a veritable treasure. . James wrote, ";J/ 11.11.1,1 o/- IJf'U buk ~ Id him, tuk o/- fJ_od. •• " (James 1:5). So then, as a believer, I ask, how do I get this wisdom? The only way is through my mind-the Holy Spirit works through my mind. Proverbs 16:3 says, " @om.ma fltv, ~ UHl.o- du .i!.{J(J!ll), and IJ,,y. iluJlup,h, Jud1 lu. ulal,luJud.,, Most Christians don't trust their minds, but we need to realize that the Holy Spirit always prompts us through our minds. He brings to our minds the things we need and that which is the will of God (Romans 8:26, 27). Christ said, "<;lhoa JuJt ioM- du~ lltg, .(Jod. u,111,, all lluJ, ltuut. .. ,, So someones says, "Ifwe're going to love God, we must be sincere." The love of God starts with the heart. The first commandment is progressive. If that is true it becomes all the more important to see the position of the mind in this command. Having started with the heart, we are to "lmu...•. UJJl:k all [your] .wul." This could be emotion or affection, but I rather think it is the word life, for that is the definition of the soul. When God made man, he became a living soul. With these two (heart and soul) as foundation, Christ says, « !IJ.OL. •. mlllt all [your) mhul,, In Mark 12:33, one ofthe scribes defined mind for us; "dnd bJ. IIJ.IU him will,_ all du lu«d and IDill,_ all du t.utdu.dmu /i.ng. .." We must understand the love of God and our love toward Him is understandable. It is mental, not emotional, notjust feeling, not just life itself. The last phrase of the command says, "lmu. ..willt all [your] lbnu]Jh." Strength is the word for energy, intensiveness, enthusiasm, and service. This is a physical word. In the progression this is last. Is it possible our service for Christ is in the wrong sequence? Are you ever lax in serving the Lord? Do you ever feel you do not have the energy to serve? Do you find your inbmsiveness and enthusiasm are gone? The problem may not be physical; it may be mental. In review, the first step is to love with your heart; that is in sincerity. Then love with your soul; that is very life itself. When we are born again, God in Christ gives us a new heart. That new heart is the basis of new life. We have no problem loving God with our new hearts and lives. Now the mind comes into focus. It is sensible to love God, but the moment our minds become dilatory or regress in regard to our love for God our energies are affected. My own experience has proven this many times. I have no problem loving God with my heart and my life, but my mental processes quite often get in the way. Perhaps you have 2