Hearts and minds: Part 1

To say we live is stressful times is an understatement. However, God promises to be with us and lead us through these times – He does not promise to spare us from them. Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Paul reminds us that we can experience peace in the midst of troubled times: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5-7).

The term “mind” refers to our ability to perceive our world, to reason, judge, feel and understand. The Old Testament teaches that God created these higher intellectual abilities in man. They are not simply the result of chemical processes in the brain (Job 38:36). God blesses us with the ability to think critically as exemplified by the wisdom of King Solomon: “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind” (1 Kings 4:29).

God also searches and tests our thoughts, feelings and motives: “Yehovah searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts” (1 Chronicles 28:9). Finally, God gives peace to those whose minds rest on the truth of his Word “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3).

In the New Testament we see that Yeshua (Jesus) enabled the minds of His followers to understand the Bible, “He opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). When Yeshua ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to continue to quicken the understanding of His followers to God’s truth. “The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things” (John 14:26.)

Those who do not have the Holy Spirit (because they are not saved), cannot understand God’s Word. “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Those who reject God not only do not receive the spiritual quickening of their minds from the Holy Spirit, they believe false teachings about God and live sin-filled lives, “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper” (Romans 1:28).

Paul encouraged the believers in Ephesus to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:23-24).

I pray you will “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).