Sometimes we frustrate our children by complaining one day they are stubborn with a mind of their own and the next day wishing they would think for themselves. “Don’t you even have a mind of your own?”
While our kids may ask, “Make up your mind!” occasionally I get asked, “Are you out of your mind?” While not wanting to be considered a few bricks short, I am beginning to think that would be a good experience. Let me explain.
The Bible. describes three types of minds. One is called NATURAL mind. It is the mind we are born with, so everyone starts out with it. However, I Corinthians, chapter 2, says the natural mind, regardless of age, education, intelligence, or experience, leaves us clueless when it comes to the things of God. They are beyond that mind’s capacity, at least, as it is.
The Christian, according to Scripture, has a different kind of mind. It is given to him, not at physical birth but when he is re-born. (Jesus said all who enter the kingdom, of God experience this re-birth, see John 3) This SPIRITUAL mind is able to discern spiritual truth from the Word of God, but not because of superior intellect or training. Instead, it is a direct result of having received Jesus Christ through faith. When he comes into a person’s life, He brings with Him His wisdom, His righteousness, His holiness, and get this, even His Mind!
The Apostle Paul says, “. . . we have the mind of Christ!” (I Corinthians 2:16), so Christians actually have the capacity to think the thoughts of God. While the people of God are sometimes ridiculed as “having thrown their brains away” our real problem is exactly the opposite. After receiving such a marvelous gift as the mind of Christ, we still have our old human sinful desires and thoughts. When these govern our thinking, Paul calls this a “CARNAL” mind. If we could toss it out and think just with the new mind of Christ, living the Christian life would be far less a struggle!
Throughout Scripture, the people of God realized the problem of the mind. The Psalmist asked for a united, pure mind. The writer of Proverbs exhorts, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding.” The prophet Isaiah declared that whoever kept His mind on God would be kept in perfect peace. Galatians 5 says that the Christian constantly wages battle, the spirit against the flesh, the thoughts of God against the desires of the old sinful way of thinking. We are told to, “have a transformed, renewed mind.” Christians are to “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Of course, Jesus had a mind committed to do the will of the Father.
The old mind produces such corruption as evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy slander, arrogance, and folly (see Mark 7). No wonder the Bible constantly warns the believer not to yield to it or its desires. The fact of the matter is, the old mind is deceitful, easily led into sin, choking the life of Christ. However, the new mind honors God.
Most of us do not realize the capacity of a mind at rest in Jesus Christ. Science says the natural man only uses 10% of his cognitive power. God says even that 10% is marred, but through faith in Jesus, He offers a change of mind, a transformation, a totally different way to think. Then, as we yield to the Lord and our minds think His thoughts, our lives begin to match. He produces from within, love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control.
Yes, maybe being “out of my mind” is not such a bad idea.
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