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It's impossible to hide what's in a spiritual mind
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RELIGIOUSLYINCORRECT.org
As mentioned in a
previous article,
possessing a spiritual mind is essential to obtaining our eternal inheritance. (see Romans 8)
In other words, we can faithfully attend public assemblies, live clean lives, give lessons at church, sit in on business meetings, etc—but
if we don't have spiritual minds, our salvation is not secure.
Being spiritually minded doesn't mean merely staying busy doing church-related things.
Nor does it mean simply having interesting, unspiritually related Bible discussions (for example,
examining history as it relates to Bible prophecy).
Being religious, but not spiritual, is not Christ's will for His people.
Another important concept we should know is: a spiritual mind is impossible to hide.
It's also impossible to hide a mind that's predominantly centered on earthly things.
Our speech and actions directly reflect what's in our hearts
If you fill a glass of water to the top—as full as you can get it—and carry it across the room, what's likely to happen?
Chances are, even if you're careful, some of it will spill over the edge.
Our minds are the same way. We've filled our minds with something, and it's impossible to keep every ounce of it within.
Jesus said:
...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
The good man brings forth from his good treasure what is good—but the evil man brings forth from his evil treasure what is evil.
But I tell you that people will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
(Matthew 12:34-37)
Please note again what Jesus said: "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."
Our words reveal the contents of our hearts—so much so that God, on judgment day, will judge
us by our words (including our "carelessly spoken" words).
Yes, whatever we fill our minds with will spill out as we walk along the path of our lives.
The good, and evil, that flow from the heart
If we fill our minds with good things—in other words, if we are spiritually minded—out of our hearts will come the things that God desires.
Our words will be a blessing to those around us, expressing thoughts of wisdom and spiritual instruction; and our actions will
also overflow as blessings of good deeds, kindness, and the like—all originating from Christ.
On the other hand, if we fill our minds with evil things (or meaningless matters)—in other words, if we're fleshly minded—then
out of our hearts will come words and actions emanating from the evil one.
True "spiritual mindedness" obviously means having a mind that is focused on spiritual things. The Bible states:
Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh—but those who live according to the Spirit
set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.
(Romans 8:5-6)
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things from above—where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
(Col 3:1,2)
Plainly, setting your mind on things above, on spiritual matters, and meditating on God's words "day and night" (Psalm 1:2) cannot be hidden in
your words and deeds.
And the more violently the "glass of our minds" are shaken, the more that typically will come out.
Jesus said:
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what make a man "unclean"; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him "unclean."
(Matthew 15:19-20)
For some, if their lives our shaken, out of the overflow of their hearts will often come profanity, cursing, angry words,
and all forms of verbal evil. And out of their actions will often come worry, anxiety, rage, violence, destruction—and the like.
These are all typical reactions of those who are controlled not by the Spirit, but by the flesh.
The Bible says:
The deeds of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, outbursts of rage, disputes, dissensions, factions,
envy, drunkenness, worldly partying—and the like. I am warning you—just like I did before—that
people who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
(Galatians 5:19-21)
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart
the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings
evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
(Matthew 12:34-35)
The Bible also indicates (Proverbs 1:2) that we will be "blessed" if our
"delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law [we] meditate day and night."
It's always been puzzling to me to attend a worship assembly, and then discover—time after time—that
no one seemed interested in discussing
what was taught—or had anything else from the Bible they wanted to discuss.
Or, attending church dinners and not a spiritual comment is ever made. Or, calling Christians
together for entertainment and having everyone turn out, but calling them for a Bible study and hardly anyone shows up.
These are disturbing signs of a congregation that is unspiritually-minded. In other words, a church that may have
truth but not the spirit.
Spiritually minded people love to share things about the spirit. It's part of their nature. I believe it is
impossible for true Christians to not
speak of things of the spirit frequently, especially when they are around others of like mind.
So, meditate about God's word, plant them in your heart, and speak about them. They will be your salvation
(James 1:21; Romans 2:15; 2 Corinthians 3:2).
Spiritual minds reveal spiritual wisdom
The Bible says:
Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
(Proverbs 10:14)
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
(Proverbs 15:7)
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.
(Proverbs 16:21)
A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.
(Proverbs 16:23)
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.
(Proverbs 18:15)
Guard what you put into your mind
The Bible states:
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.
(Proverbs 4:23)
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive
every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
(2 Corinthians 10:5)
If your mind isn't set on spiritual things, your decisions and actions will likewise follow. That's why we should be very careful
about what we allow to continually access our minds—be it inappropriate content from TV / movies / music / internet / books / novels /
magazines—or the like.
Surely we must understand that all this is of satanic origin.
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