 |
Visit the Walking In Truth Archives
|
|
AS HE THINKETH
"The man is as the mind is." - Matthew Henry
In Proverbs 23:7, Solomon said - "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." What we think about throughout the day determines who we really are.
In Psalm 10:4, the wicked is described as - "...God is not in all his thoughts."
On the other hand, in Psalm 1:2, the righteous man is described as - "...his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night."
How do we know if we are after the flesh or after the spirit?
What kind of thoughts occupy our minds throughout the day?
On what do we dwell with the greatest satisfaction?
What do we savour - the things of God or the things of men?
In this message, we would like to examine the Scriptures which pertain to our minds and what we concentrate on - determining what our real state is before the Lord.
Colossians 3:1-2 tells us - "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above... Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
In these Scriptures, the Apostle Paul admonished us to "seek those things which are above..." The word "seek" means to desire; enquire for; seek in order to find by thinking, meditating, and reasoning. It means to aim at, strive for, crave, and demand.
We then must ask ourselves - Are we obeying this Scriptural command?
Are we desiring "those things which are above"? Are we enquiring for them...seeking for them through our thinking, meditating, and reasoning...aiming at them as to win them...striving and craving for them?
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." In other words, "mind" the things of the Spirit...be "spiritually minded"...savour the things which be of God.
"Set your affection" is the Greek word phroneo which means to exercise the mind, entertain, be mentally disposed earnestly in a certain direction, interest oneself in, regard, seek, or strive for.
It is the same word used in Romans 8:5 which discusses minding the things of the flesh or the spirit.
It is found in Romans 8:6 which mentions being "carnally minded" or "spiritually minded."
It is found in Matthew 16:23 when speaking of savouring the things of God or men.
Finally, it is found in Philippians 3:19 when referring to the enemies of the Cross of Christ who "mind earthly things."
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
We have a choice!
We can -
...seek or strive for heavenly things or earthly things
...entertain spiritual things or carnal things.
Which one interests us the most - heavenly and eternal things or earthly and perishing things?
We have a choice!
We can -
...acquaint ourselves with spiritual things
...esteem them above all else
...love heavenly things, study them, and be entirely engrossed with them
...be so much in earnest for those things which are "above."
Then and only then can it be said that we are truly seeking those things which are above and setting our affection on things above.
Remember - "The man is as the mind is."
Proverbs 23:7 - "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..."
Romans 8:5-6 tells us - "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
The Apostle Paul once again narrowed his discussion down to two major ideas - minding the things of the flesh or the spirit and being carnally minded or spiritually minded.
Are we "after the flesh" or "after the Spirit"?
It all depends on what we "mind."
Are we mentally disposed toward our fleshly, earthly nature which is prone to sin and opposed to God or have we directed our minds towards the things which the Holy Spirit produces?
Are we under the influence of the corrupt and sinful desires of the flesh or are we under the influence of the Spirit?
We can determine the major influence in our lives by the things which we "mind."
The "things of the flesh" would include carnal pleasure and worldly profit and honor; whereas, the "things of the Spirit" would include the favor of God, the welfare of our souls, as well as the concerns of eternity.
"After the flesh" or "after the Spirit" ?
"Carnally minded" or "spiritually minded"?
How do we know?
Simply examine our thoughts.
"The man is as the mind is."
Proverbs 23:7 - "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."
It is interesting to note the Lord Jesus' words to Satan talking through Peter in Matthew 16:23 - "...Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men."
Here we see the source behind our savouring the things of men before the things of God.
Who is it that causes us to -
...set our affection on earthly things rather than the things above?
...mind the things of the flesh rather than the things of the Spirit? ...be "carnally minded" rather than "spiritually minded"?
It is Satan!
The Lord Jesus rightfully addressed him as "Satan" for he is our Adversary who opposes us from accomplishing God's will for our lives.
He is truly "an offence" unto us...an hindrance...a stumbling-block.
He stands in our way of following the Spirit.
He savours the things that be of men.
He desires nothing more than to detour us from the Cross life and to keep our minds occupied with pursuing such things as wealth, pleasure, and reputation.
He desires nothing less than to have us crave and strive for self-indulgence and sensual gratification.
He continuously works to cause us to relish earthly things and to glory in the things which we ought to be ashamed of.
This brings us to our closing Scripture in Philippians 3:18-19 - "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)"
How do we know if we are "the enemies of the cross of Christ"?
Examine our thoughts!
"The man is as the mind is."
Proverbs 23:7 - "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."
We know if we are "the enemies of the cross of Christ " when we -
..."mind earthly things" rather than spiritual things
...set our affection on the things of this earth rather than the things "above." ..."mind the things of the flesh" rather than "the things of the spirit." ...are "carnally minded" rather than "spiritually minded."
Satan could not deter the Lord Jesus from the Cross. However, what about us? Has he so distracted us from the Cross of Christ where our whole study and attention are taken up with earthly matters rather than the things of God?
Philippians 3:18-19 warns all those who are "the enemies of the cross of Christ" that their "end is destruction."
Romans 8:6 says the same - "For to be carnally minded is death..."
Colossians 3:2 - It behooves us to set our affection on things above,
Philippians 3:20 - remembering at all times that "our conversation(citizenship) is in heaven."
As the songwriter said - "The Cross before me, the World behind me..."
Remember - "The man is as the mind is."
Proverbs 23:7 - "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..."
May God Bless His Word.
Connie
| © COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved
