Mind Set
So many people are talking about the amazing mind. “We can choose what to think”, some say. We can control our thoughts for better health. We can think our way to happiness, and so on. Some who study brain activity and behavior say that we actually have three minds: the head (the thinking mind), the heart (the knowing mind) and the gut (the feeling mind). There are many ways of “knowing” and when we think with our mind, our heart and our gut we may in fact have a better outcome to some situations. Or will we?
In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Roman church, in the New Testament, Paul claims that our natural mind is sinful, set on our own earthly desires and will lead us to death. Here is how he describes it: “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires…the sinful mind is death”(Romans 8:5a,6a). Now before you shut down your pc and walk away in disgust or despair let me invite you to take a look at the context. In this passage Paul begins, in Romans 8:1 proclaiming that: “There is now therefore no condemnation in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit of Life has set me free from the law of sin and death”. There seems to be two forces at play here. The wise apostle is comparing those forces and describing the consequences of each. I know that I have felt these forces at war in my mind and heart even over the very smallest things. I know that my heart (mind) desires are not always right, giving, or all loving. No! Usually my desires (if I am honest to myself) are about serving myself, making myself the most comfortable and making sure that I…I, I ,I am served, taken care of and feel completely comfortable. Even if this is at the expense of another’s well-being.
There is a popular cultural trend to trust one’s inner feelings to be informed of our identity, our purpose and our destiny in life. Even small children are encouraged to trust their feelings about who they believe themselves to be. Is this right? A child can feel so many things from day to day and it is right that they be encouraged to share and talk about their feelings, but to ask them to define their own identity (sexual or otherwise) seems somewhat cruel and self-defeating. If a child, even a jr. high or high school child is given the sole responsibility of defining their identity fully by what they are desiring at the time, they could be duped into thinking of themselves as something that they are not. I guarantee that those feelings will change, just give it a day…or even a few minutes. Not to mention how lonely it can become when others are pushed away or used then cast aside when our desires change (or we become the one pushed away or cast off when the other changes her/his mind).
We each have a physical and emotional reaction to every person we come in contact with and every situation that we encounter. Can we truly trust our feelings to inform us completely about who we are and who the other person is? God’s Word tells us no. We need the Holy Spirit, the counsel of others and the Word of God to help inform us of our identity and the context of our life with God and with others. We need the Spirit working within to control and reign in the self-centered, mind-set-on-the-self, thoughts and feelings that are meant to serve only the self.
What about “being true to self”, “trusting your heart (or gut)?”, “following your bliss”, or any of the other popular phrases to capture the way to a good life? Well, this passage (along with many others) seems to point to a different way to know who I truly am and toward living a good life. We cannot always trust our own heart, mind and will. We need intervention. That intervention comes as a gift from God. It is His rescue plan for us out of death, into life.
“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds’ set on what that nature desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man (or woman) is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is Life and Peace.” (Romans 8: 5-6, NIV)
Looking for life and peace? Then perhaps before you act out on what you first desire, check to see what your mind (heart/gut) is set on. Then ask the Holy Spirit to shine the truthful light on the inner motivations, true desires and authentic hopes and dreams. For me, I may be wandering down a path that is less than righteous and more self-centered than I had ever thought was possible. Even those good deeds toward others might be a mask to try to accumulate accolade and honor for myself. We live in a very emotionally charge world that is shouting so many messages. Suicide and violence are on the rise and hope can seem far away. It seems that so many have their minds set on what the human sinful nature desires and it is leading to literal death.
I have been told that I have a good gut. I seem to know the inner workings of things that seem invisible to others. I can walk into a room and “feel” the tension in a relationship. Sometimes I even know what my husband is thinking-or I am able to put it into words-when he is still trying to figure it out. Yikes, that could be dangerous! What if I were to pause, hand the reigns of my heart and mind to the Holy Spirit and let the Spirit of God through Jesus Christ lead me to true life? What if I were to admit that choosing my own identity, controlling my own life and trying to run my own show may not be leading me down the path of righteousness? But, if I (or you) let go of that control and release my mind set on my own desires to the kind, loving and wise control of the Holy Spirit then perhaps it will lead to Life and Peace, for me and for others.