In my Christian experience, I've heard much about the danger of the mind. Books have been written (think Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the Mind), sermons have been preached and it wouldn't surprise me if demons of "book larnin'" have been cast out. The mind, it is taught, is the barrier to understanding God, accepting Him, worshiping Him.
The problem is, that even a quick perusal of scripture would indicate that the mind is not the problem—in fact, the mind is often what we are encouraged to engage in our contemplation of God, our study of His Word and remembrance of His laws. The problem is not the mind, it is the heart—specifically the unregenerate heart.
Simply put, my mind is a slave to my heart. Where my heart goes, my mind will follow.
I ignore evidence of the Creator—even as it is clear in the fingerprints of science, mathematics and astronomy—not because my mind isn't functioning, but because my heart is darkened, and this depravity of heart causes my mind to ignore the obvious. "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" (Psalm 14:1).
Inversely, when my heart is transformed, my mind sees God everywhere. It becomes a tool in the hands of God for helping me to understand His Word, defend His truth, explore His world. My mind is renewed, not apart from, but because of the new heart God gives me.
1 comment:
Well said, Matt. Very well said, actually.
Post a Comment