THINKING BIBLICALLY ABOUT YOUR MIND
Text: Romans 10:1-5 KJV
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Scripture Reading: Romans 10:1-21
Introduction: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Slogan of United Negro College Fund.
notes from: Think Biblically! Recovering a Biblical Worldview,
Chapter 2, Richard L. Mayhue, John MacArthur, Gen. Ed.
Two fundamental ideas:
The mind that is:
1) redemptively focused on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Romans 8:5-8),
and is being renewed regularly by Scripture (Romans 12:2); and
2) is then receiving a quality education (formal or informal) from the perspective
of a Christian worldview . . .
. . . will be the mind that achieves the greatest gains and experiences the least waste
(Psalm 119:97-104).
The Christian worldview considers both the intellectual and spiritual aspects of life and development. The Great Commandment: Matthew 22:35-40; Mark 12:28-31.
However, apart from a Christian worldview there is a serious problem.
“Paul summarizes Eve’s disastrous act this way: “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3; cf. 1 timothy 2:14). The seduction of Eve’s mind by Satan’s deceit and Adam’s blatant disobedience resulted in the corruption of their souls and, as a result, the souls of all humans who would follow (Romans 5:12).”
“Thus the human mind was wasted by sin. Man’s mind was so debilitated that fellowship with God proved no longer humanly possible, and the ability to see and understand life from God’s perspective vanished. The human race was now estranged from its God and Creator.”
“As a result, God’s original two created human beings, and every one of their offspring, experienced a brutal reversal in their relationship with God and His world.”
1. They no longer would concern themselves with thoughts of God, but with the thinking of men
(Psalm 53:1; Romans 1:25).
2. They no longer would have spiritual sight, but were blinded by Satan to the glory of God
(2 Corinthians 4:4).
3. They would no longer be wise but foolish (Psalm 14:1; Titus 3:3).
4. They would no longer be alive to God, but rather were dead in their sins (Romans 8:5-11).
5. They no longer would set their affections on the things above, but on the things of the earth (Colossians 3:2).
6. They would no longer walk in light, but rather in darkness (John 12:35-36, 46).
7. They would no longer possess eternal life, but rather faced spiritual death – i.e., eternal separation from God (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
8. They would no longer live in the realm of the Spirit, but rather in the flesh (Romans 8:1-5).
Problem: “The mind has already been wasted.”
Result: 2 Timothy 3:7 – “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
How: Romans 1:25 – “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature
more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”
Question: “Can the mind be reclaimed?”
Answer: Titus 3:1-7 -- 1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
God created man in His image. One of the features of this likeness is the ability to think. This is a powerful ability. Ideas and philosophies have at times been more powerful influences in the history of mankind than mighty armies. It is said that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” Examples:
Hitler -- “Mein Kampf”, Marx -- “Das Kapital”, Chairman Mao -- “Thoughts” (the little red book).
But the ability to think can also be perverted, abused. The Bible warns us to “Be not like a horse or a mule, which have no understanding . . .” (Psalm 32:9).
The New Testament lists several examples of this abuse of the mind with these descriptive terms:
1. Romans 1:28 -- debased (exalted)
2. 2 Corinthians 3:14 -- hardened (compassionate)
3. 2 Corinthians 4:4 -- blinded (given sight)
4. Ephesians 4:17 -- futility (strong)
5. Ephesians 4:18 -- darkened (enlightened)
6. Colossians 1:21 -- hostile (reconciled)
7. Colossians 2:4 -- deluded (wise)
8. Colossians 2:8 -- deceived (discerning)
9. Colossians 2:18 -- sensuous (godly)
10. 1 Timothy 6:5 -- depraved (righteous)
11. 2 Timothy 3:8 -- corrupted (holy)
12. Titus 1:15 -- defiled (cleansed)
13. Romans 8:7 -- carnal (spiritual)
(These can be overcome by allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate the qualities listed in parentheses into our hearts and minds.)
As a result of these paths into error, many people are “always learning but never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7), and may even “have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). A TRAGIC WASTE OF THE MIND.
But there is some good news! The mind can be redeemed and renewed!
Titus 3:4-7
2 Corinthians – “to give light of knowledge of the glory of God in Christ.”
Romans 12:2 – “transformed by the renewing of the mind.”
Ephesians 4:23 – “renewed in the spirit of your minds.”
Colossians 3:10 – “the new self, renewed in knowledge of the Creator.”
The mind can also be protected!
Ephesians 6:11 – “the helmet of salvation.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 – “take every thought captive to Christ.”
Philippians 4:7-8 – “keep and guard hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
1 Peter 1:L13-16 – “prepare your minds for action.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 – “weapons of our warfare are not carnal.”
Once the mind is renewed and activated by the Holy Spirit those 12 negative qualities can be reversed (see second column of descriptive terms in parentheses).
Your Mind Matters, John R. W. Stott.
Romans 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Dr. John Mackay (President of Princeton Seminary):
“Commitment without reflection is fanaticism in action. But reflection without commitment is the paralysis of all action.”
Anti-intellectualism.
The question of some is not first, “Is it true?” but, “Does it work?”
The intent of many is, “Just show me the short-cut!”
I. Three dangers of imbalance.
A. Religious Ritual -- can easily degenerate into ritualism, mere performance.
Ceremony can become a substitute for sincere worship.
B. Radical Activism -- concentrates on social and political action.
Activity becomes the focus instead of the fruit.
C. Relative Experience -- can degenerate into emotionalism.
Subjectivity begins to rule over objectivity.
Any one or combination of these emphases, when out of balance, can degenerate into what John R. W. Stott calls “Mindless Christianity.”
II. Three examples.
A. Religious ritual -- the Pharisees.
Mark 7:1-8. Tradition of men displaces true worship of God.
“The people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.”
B. Radical activism -- the Pharisees.
Matthew 23:15. “...travel over seal and land to make one proselyte
and make him twice the son of hell that you are...”
Matthew 7:21-23. “Lord, Lord...”
C. Relative experience --
Matthew 7:15. “Beware of false prophets . . . ravening wolves.”
Matthew 24:11 (Mark 13:22). “Many false prophets shall arise and deceive many.”
24:24. “There shall arise false prophets and false Christs showing great signs and
wonders to try to deceive even the very elect.”
2 Peter 2:1. False prophets, teachers, bringing in damnable, destructive heresies.
Luke 24:13-32 (32) Road to Emmaus -- “Did not our heart burn within us...”
Beware of counterfeit signs and wonders -- “burning in the bosom” (Mormons).
III. Six areas of Christian living in which is required godly thinking, the mind of Christ.
A. True Worship.
Acts 17:23 -- Some attempt to worship an UNKNOWN GOD.
John 4:23-24 -- We must worship God in spirit and in truth.
Romans 10:3 -- Some are ignorant of God’s righteousness.
2 Peter 3:5 -- Some remain willingly ignorant.
B. Faith.
Mark 11:22 -- Jesus said, “Have faith in God.”
Romans 10:17 -- “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”
2 Timothy 2:15 -- “Study to show thyself approved unto God . . .”
2 Timothy 1:12 -- “I know Whom I have believed . . .”
C. Holiness.
Romans 8:1-9 -- Set your mind not on things of the flesh but on things of the Spirit.
1 Peter 1:13-16 -- “Be ye holy.”
D. Guidance.
Proverbs 3:5-6 -- “Trust in the LORD . . .”
Ephesians 5:17 -- “. . . be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
Romans 12:2 -- “. . . prove what the perfect will of God is.”
2 Timothy 2:25 -- “Study . . .”
Psalm 32:8 -- “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go;
I will guide thee with Mine eye.”
E. Evangelism.
Romans 10:8-17 -- Faith comes by hearing . . . the Word of God.
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 -- “We persuade men . . .”
1 Peter 3:15 -- “Be ready always . . .”
F. Ministry.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 -- Gifts to each as the Spirit wills.
Ephesians 4:1-16 -- Gifts given to equip for the edification of the Body.
IV. Knowledge should lead to:
A. Worship.
B. Faith.
C. Hope.
D. Love
Conclusion:
Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV
23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Proverbs 2:1-9 KJV
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
