The Mind
There is a scripture that I often hear quoted out of context, however even in the misquote it rings true. Philemon verse 14 "But without thy mind would I do nothing: that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly." (KJV)
The misquote is "without my mind I can do nothing."
The NIV "But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced."
The exact same verse from the NIV sheds light on the meaning of the verse. So as we see, the KJV of Philemon has been used incorrectly by many evangelist and ministers over the years.
Instead of meaning that one can do anything without their mind, it simply states that Paul requested consent to retain Onesimus as his helper.
There is something however about the misquote that I would like to pursue. The "mind" according to the New Webster dictionary is "the seat of consciousness, thought, feeling, and will, the intellect, opinion, desire, purpose, sanity. So the mind is a very important aspect of a persons being. So it is safe to say that: "without my mind I could do nothing."
The bible stresses the importance of the mind in other scriptures that are not misquoted. 1 Peter 1:13 "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." To "gird up your loins" is also found in Ephesians 6:14 "Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth." These scriptures point to having courage in the face of trials, preparing ones mind for action. Having self control because truth is buckled within the thought process.
Romans 8:7 "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." With a mind set on things of this world it is impossible to please God! Romans 7:25 Paul says "So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God." What kind of mind did Paul have? Paul had the mind of a humble servant. Philippians 2:5-8 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, made in human likeness, And being found in the fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross".
What is the benefit of having the mind of Christ? The mind of Christ is empty of pride, thus allowing the spirit of the Lord to instruct and advise according to God's will and not to mans desire. 1 Corinthians 2:16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." Isaiah "40:14 "Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?" Because God is all knowledge , wisdom and understanding, this is why Paul said "To put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11)", "Put on Christ (Galatians 3:27), which means to clothe yourself with him, to assume his person and character in daily life 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Romans 6:1-14, 8:1-13). The only way to have this kind of relationship, so closely knit with the Father is to allow God himself to consume your thought process. How do we begin this? By having the spirit of your mind renewed (Ephesians 4:23). This means putting on the "new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
When a person is born they are born into sin. The thought process is wicked. Genesis 6:5 "And God saw the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." This mind must be purged with the truth of the gospel of Christ.
Romans 10:9 says "That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." This is direction for salvation but what about getting closer to God? What about forming a close personal relationship with God? The mind must be renewed, re-constructed in the thought process. Why is this so important? Romans 8:7 "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God." To have any other thinking process than that which God provides through the gift of the spirit means death. Colossians 3:1 "Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. (verse 2) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. James 4:4 "that the friendship of the world is enmity with God." 2 Peter 1:4 speaks about "escaping the corruption that is in this world through lust." To escape something means that we were in slaved to that thing, bound, and that destruction was imminent. God knows what is in our minds. He knows our thought process, our imaginations, desires and fantasies. Luke 5:22 "Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?" Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account."
So with so much to consider as believers in Christ, we should re-think the things we put into our minds. We should reconsider the things, which we allow ourselves to view. 1 Timothy 4:15 "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."
What sort of things should fill our mind? Philippians 4:8 "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 2 Peter 1:5-7 "For this very reason make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness, and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." In order to participate in the divine nature of God, and to see his miracles and wonders working in your life in all abundance and blessings it is of great necessity to set our minds on God and believe in the precious promises we find with the Holy scriptures.
Dale Thompson