Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
A fearful battle is being waged for our minds and it’s scheduled to increase in intensity and severity as we approach earth’s final crisis. No one can be ignorant of what is at stake, except at the peril of their souls. This battle affects persons across all age groups, and is no respecter of persons.
From tweenagers to the elderly, from the young and the restless, to those of more mature years, no one is exempt. Newborn babes do not get a free pass in this conflict and in fact the battle begins before they are even born.
Thus, we owe it to ourselves to try to understand how we can preserve our minds in this conflict so as to live victoriously in the here and now, and for the great hereafter.
Unlike the mark of the beast, the seal of God is only given in the forehead, where the seat of a person’s intelligence is located. Here is where things like our decision making, rational thought, judgement, and reasoning take place.
Thus, the seal of God is only given in the forehead, for wherever the mind goes, the body would follow. This is unlike the mark of the beast which is given in the hand, or in the forehead, for satan couldn’t care less whether or not persons fully understand what is at stake in the final conflict, once they end up taking the mark.
Everything we eat or drink will directly, or indirectly affect the mind, either for better or for worse, that’s why the health message for the remnant people of God, and indeed for the entire world, has to do with the preservation of both mind and body, in the best possible condition, so that clear discernment, and a quick understanding of the issues will be possible.
Knowing this, satan goes to work studiously, and in ingenious ways to adversely affect the food, and the drug industry. He moves upon the food companies to add such ingredients that would trigger a host of side effects, so that the drug industry, which waits in the wings will be ready with its “Remedies.”
Then, with clear understanding of the laws of cause and effect, he knows that persons who are careless about what they eat and drink, would end up at the doorsteps of drug companies, and then, the “Cures” and remedies will be overloaded with ingredients producing side effects that will in many cases, affect the mind in adverse ways.
Hence the reason why more and more drugs are to be found producing suicidal thoughts as one of the adverse side effects amongst many. But he does not stop here, for he also goes to work in congress, and moves upon the unwary to legalize Ganja, better known as the herb.
At first, weed was smoked in reefer form, or with a chalice, and was introduced by law under medicinal marijuana, but now satan has introduced more user friendly, and appealing versions of the same drug, for it’s available in candy, ice-creams, cakes, pastries and almost any rendition one can think of.
The Bible also clearly states the detrimental effects alcoholic beverages have upon the mind, contrary to what the X-Perts might say, for it makes a direct link between inebriation, and the decisions, and choices that certainly follow which are not for the better but for the worse. Let’s read:
Proverbs 23: 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moves itself aright.
32 At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder.
33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
Therefore, there are laws and powers of the mind to be understood by all, especially in the context of the final conflict that is headed our way.
Several of them will now be given in detail, with the relevant Bible texts and references from the pen of inspiration, so that if persons so choose, we might be instructed in wise paths so as to make straight paths for our feet.
[1] The mind can be trained to think a certain way.
The human mind was so made by God that it can be trained in certain modes of thought. This fact is to be understood as being applied to both good, and evil. Much like a raw piece of dough from which you can make bread, bakes, pastries, or dumplings, the final product depends on how it is trained, and the ingredients that are added.
Thus, the Scriptures encourage parents to train the young, pliable minds of the children, in a way that is productive of good and to only add such ingredients that would produce the best results. And adults are advised to train their minds to familiarity with the word of God, so that better outcomes in life can be our lot. Let’s read:
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
This does not mean that children would not deviate from the script, they may, but at the very least, the foundational principles, and laws of God’s kingdom would be etched upon their minds at an early age so that they will have God’s moral compass to refer to, when making decisions later on in life. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 6: 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
For example, as one born, and raised in a Seventh Day Adventist home, my parents did their best to try to etch upon the tables of our hearts, the Bible, and its teachings, so as to implant God’s moral compass to guide us in our choices as we grew.
Therefore, in retrospect, we could accurately define in real time what that translates into. For starters, it taught us the definition of right and wrong, so that we could be guided in our decision-making process, even though my personal decisions did not always come down on the side of righteousness, to put it mildly.
But at least, I was aware that I was doing something wrong whenever I chose to do so. Thus, when it was time to return to God, I did not need a televangelist or a preacher.
I knew the way home because God’s moral compass had been embedded into our minds at a tender age, and it not only delineated right and wrong, it also specified Christ as the Only Savior as the be all, end all in salvation and righteousness.
Thus, when it came time to turn back to God, I knew exactly what to do. I didn’t need to attend those six- month evangelistic meetings where preachers start from scratch with the sinner. I didn’t need long Bible studies on the state of the dead, or any of the many doctrines we hold dear.
In fact, when the specific Bible worker came in to do the pre-baptism groundwork, and found out that all that she had been asking me I’d already known, and then some, it was then decided to dunk me without further questioning, for my parents had done their due diligence in instructing us in God’s word.
But what we have taking place today in many cases is that children are growing up without God’s moral compass, and as a result, the ability to differentiate good from evil is largely missing. Thus, without the steadfast moral compass of God’s word, kids end up with “My truth” since truth is made relative.
This point above all others should be given greatest and due consideration when persons are thinking of tying the knot in wedlock, for some set of guidelines for raising their children should be decided upon up front, or else the children will grow up, being pulled and tugged in every which direction by the winds of change, fashion, and popular majority opinion.
Thus, very serious questions need to be asked, and ironed out before uniting for life, if persons desire to have children. Questions such as: [1] How will we be teaching our children to differentiate between right, and wrong? [2] What will be our common reference point in making such determinations? The Bible, or the X-Perts?
[3] When the kids get into trouble, like I did, once upon a time, who do they turn to? Christ or another set of experts.
[4] Will we force our own arbitrary moral compass, according to what we “Feel” is right, and if so, when the children disagree, and question where we got our authority from, would we reach for that favorite answer, “We brought you into this world?”
When children are being taught in public school that it is morally correct to have two mommies, and two Daddies; when they come home, and ask for some clarification on the issues, what will the reference point be for settling the matter? Would they be told what the parents think is right, or will all roads lead to the word of God?
In our day currently, right and wrong, good and evil are defined by the clamors of fallen nature, and as a sure result, that which God’s moral compass says is an abomination, is now embraced as being right. If it feels good, if it tastes good, and if it sounds good, then it must be good, according to the principle of pleasure which wields jurisdiction over relativism.
But permit us to amplify that point we made earlier of God’s moral compass making us aware, when we were about to do something wrong. If one is not aware that they are doing something wrong, then there will be no desire to repent, and if there isn’t a desire to repent then there’s no need of The Savior.
One who is currently on trial was once asked if he had ever found it necessary to ask for forgiveness. He replied with an emphatic no, because, in his own words, he had not done nothing wrong. Insisting on innocence is an inevitable byproduct of relativism, for it is the individual who defines right and wrong, not God’s moral compass.
When the Scriptures are not entrenched in the mind everyone becomes a law unto himself and inevitably devils will take control of the mind that is not girded by the Living and written word. Let’s read:
[Chris’s Object Lessons pp 41] The study of infidel authors holds a large place in the educational system. Skeptical sentiments are interwoven in the matter placed in school books. Thus, the seeds of doubt are planted in the minds of the youth, and in time of temptation they spring up.
When faith in God's word is lost, the soul has no guide, no safeguard. To this cause may in great degree be attributed the widespread iniquity in our world today. When the word of God is set aside, its power to restrain the evil passions of the natural heart is rejected. Men sow to the flesh, and of the flesh they reap corruption.
In turning from God's word to feed on the writings of uninspired men, the mind becomes dwarfed and cheapened. It is not brought in contact with deep, broad principles of eternal truth. The understanding adapts itself to the comprehension of the things with which it is familiar. And in this devotion to finite things it is weakened, its power is contracted, and after a time it becomes unable to expand.
[2] The mind can be trained to the point where it can become second nature to do good or evil.
This point right here is so critically important to the study, that we must spend some time unpacking it. When persons initially decide to give their lives to Christ, conscientious decisions, have to be made, in favor of righteousness, for it takes awhile before a person does right without thinking about it.
In harmony, and in conjunction with the presence, and power of the Holy Ghost human minds could be trained to forgive and over a period of time, keeping our eyes on Christ our great Exemplar, it can and will become second nature since practice makes perfect.
It takes awhile before forgiveness becomes a default setting in the mind, for initially, most would have to think long and hard before letting things slide. But after some time, some more, some less, it becomes more, and more natural to forgive, and conversely, to hold onto old grudges and beefs becomes more unpalatable.
Then, after beholding Christ for some time, you do not have to think about it anymore, for it becomes the natural default setting in the character. If folks have to spend sleepless days and nights, or in some instances many months and years, trying to forgive someone, that tells us that there is work to be done in the heart.
This is what all of the disciples of Christ, who were already in the preaching ministry and who’d been baptized, were yet to experience.
Tit for tat laws still governed their behavior, and a strict sense of justice guided their interactions with others initially. This could be observed, when they were refused entry into a certain Samaritan town, upon which they resorted to their default setting at that time, which was the tit for tat mode of thought and action. Let’s read:
Luke 9: 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him.
53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
That’s tit for tat law. But over a period of time their minds were trained in righteousness by beholding Christ, in so much that forgiving others eventually became automatic, with them not having to think long, and hard with fasting and prayers, before they forgave others.
Let us pay very close attention to the two different modes of thought and action emanating from the same mind, one before conversion, the other, after the mind has been trained in forgiveness, through the indwelling of The Holy Ghost to the point where it becomes automatic.
John 18:3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
34 Then stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, who had a reputation among the people and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
That’s a completely different Peter, from the one we observed before Calvary, for he didn’t have to think twice, or pray about it before he forgave. So let us reiterate again: The mind could be trained, through the power of The Holy Ghost to the point where all righteousness can become second- nature, without persons having to think about it first.
Sadly, the opposite is also true, because the mind is also capable of being trained to choose evil, to the point where it becomes automatic. In other words, one’s aggregate choices over a period of time could culminate in sinful actions bypassing one’s freedom of choice, so that the very thought process becomes automatic or second nature.
Decision, repetition, and memory all play a major role in persons reaching this point where the mind becomes programmed to self-pilot mode. When the saints of God are doing affliction of soul, a good way to assess and measure where you and I stand in our relationship with Christ, is to observe spontaneous reaction when provoked suddenly.
It is the spontaneous, first reaction that reveals the real person. The scripted response, after thinking long and hard about it with much prayer and fasting is not usually the real you and me. If out of the blue satan can cause us to trip a fuse, then the impulsive reaction reveals the real person.
But if without thinking, the mind will automatically respond in righteousness, then we know that the image of God in us is being brought to perfection.
Again, when persons become addicted to drugs and pornography, it is an automatic sequence of events which essentially subjugates their freedom of choice even though they still retain it.
The very scent of ganja triggers a series of thoughts, and actions that could totally evade one’s rational thought processes, and render that person virtually incapable of resisting the urges, when he or she has reached the point of addiction.
In fact, there are many instances, where in the deep recesses of a person’s mind, they may want to stop, but they cannot on their own, because of the sheer force of habit which has locked them down in iron chains, from which they vainly try to escape.
In other words, their minds have been trained for so long, and those urges become so overmastering and fierce, that repetition eventually moves them from a manual transmission, to the automatic transmission mode of thought and action.
There are man-made solutions, and interventions that can help in such situations, but let it be known that any intervention without Christ would not last unto eternal life.
A person might be delivered from the bad habit, or they might be able to zip up their boots, and catch themselves, but without Christ sitting on the throne of the mind, the old devil will find some other back door through which he will enter, and he will cause just a different type of problem. Let’s read:
Matthew 12: 43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he finds it empty, swept, and garnished.
[3] The human mind is endowed by our Creator with the power of choice and decision.
In most instances where addiction has not yet set in, everything must pass through the gateway of choice because decision sets the parameter for what would be permitted and what won’t.
Very often, when you hear folks making excuses for not doing something it’s because they really did not decide to do it, because, if the human mind firmly, and really decides on doing something, it will get done. Period!
Somone complains of having to leave church in the middle of service, because the preacher takes too long with his sermon. Instead of finishing in about an hour or so, he went overboard, and the person in question had no choice but to leave, because it had become impossible to stay.
Two weeks later here comes the Mega-millions for almost a billion dollars, and the same person is seen standing in line at Publix, waiting, and waiting, and waiting, without a mumbling word, complaint or a murmur.
Not only are they seen at Publix, they are also seen in the dead of night, sitting on a lawn chair outside of Walmart, waiting to be first in line for those Black Friday deals that are too good to pass up. And with the added risk of a frenzied rush for the door in the morning, where one can get hurt, or even die, the saint in question utters no mumbling word.
That’s because the human mind is endowed with the power of decision and when one’s mind is made up to do something, he or she will do it, let none be deceived on this point. Thus, the question is: How could we harness the powers of the mind, in ways that will be productive of good, to the honor and glory of God?
Three things are necessary to accomplish this, and if persons were to understand and adopt them, then the laws and powers of the mind will be used to the glory of God, and the upliftment of humanity. They are therefore enumerated as follows:
[1] The mind must be garrisoned by the Living and written word of God. Let’s read:
John 15: 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He who abides in me and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 460] The heart must be renewed by divine grace, or it will be in vain to seek for purity of life. He who attempts to build up a noble, virtuous character independent of the grace of Christ is building his house upon the shifting sand. In the fierce storms of temptation it will surely be overthrown.
[2] Our choices must be guided by the word of God and The Spirit of God. In other words, the default setting in the mind, for settling all issues, great and small, must first be the these two, The word and The Spirit.
If God so chooses to lead us to manmade agencies, then so let it be, but these two should always be the beginning point in addressing any and everything in life. Before running off to the experts, or to Oprah and Dr, Phil, let the Christian’s first resource be The Spirit and the word, with all other resources coming in downstream. Let’s read:
Romans 8: 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
Whatever may be the issue, whatever the problem, the disease, the finances, the sin, or the disturbance in our lives, we should form the habit of giving God a shot at it first. Too often, we leave the Spirit and the word behind for last, and only after a string of losses and disappointments that we might remember that there’s a God in heaven.
[3] Choice and decision are in large part the arbiters of outcomes and destiny.
As was stated before, in most situations, everything has to pass through the gateway of choice, and for this reason, persons can determine to a very large extent, outcomes. Whether in spiritual, or temporal things, a firm decision will be needed in order for us to accomplish anything worthwhile.
In making excuses, in blaming others, in placing the responsibility on the backs of the church, of church members, of situations, the weather, one’s race, the Feds or even satan who is too often made the scape goat for our failures, we essentially relinquish the power of decision and choice God has granted unto each of us.
As we near the final frontier in this earth’s history, and difficulties and hurdles loom on the horizon, we will have some hard choices and decisions to make, and if we were to understand the importance of the three previous points, and were to incorporate them into our everyday experiences, we will in large part be enabled to live victoriously from day to day.
God desires that the laws and powers of the mind be engaged for His glory, for His seal will be placed in the foreheads of those who overcome, through the indwelling of The Living and written word.
We serve a God Who knows nothing of defeat, for in all that satan did or did not do, someway, somehow, we will observe Jesus Christ coming out on top each and every time after being squished. This victorious living is ours for the taking, if we will adopt the last three points, and for this reason, we will end with the following passages of scripture. Let’s read:
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
37 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Joel 3: 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
God Bless!