Mind Games

You are being renewed in the spirit of your mind. – Ephesians 4:23

I llove to play trivia games, word games on my phone, Scrabble, sodoku (just kidding about that last one as you can well imagine) and others that really challenge one to think about what one knows.

The word “mind” in this Scriptural context means, generally speaking, “the seat of reflective consciousness, comprising the faculties of perception and understanding, and those of feeling, judging, and determining” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words)

Right now, it seems to me, each of us (meaning those who are a part of the family of God) ought to be using every faculty of our mind. Heaven knows we need to attempt to perceive and understand all of the things that have happened in our history and all of those things that are coming in our future. Of course there is no possibility that one mind, or even many minds, can accomplish that task fully, but thankfully God’s people do have some feelings (however varied they may be) about where we are, and we are able collectively to make competent judgments as we determine what our direction ought to be based on where we have been and where we are going.

Sometimes forward movement is a scary thing. More often the realization that we are sliding backward or, at best, remaining motionless, is more frightful, or at least ought to be. If we are proficient learners, we understand that God’s Word, throughout His entire involvement with His human creation, teaches clearly that we are to use our minds to apprehend Truth, make decision affecting our Spiritual and temporal operation in this world, and move forward with insight, enthusiasm, and trust.

We are not lacking in mind strength. God has blessed us with some fine minds, some brilliant minds, and some minds that need, perhaps, a bit more discipline to embrace full potential. We are obliged, however, to develop a requisite understanding that our Father has a plan for our collective future and making the right judgments and determinations in regard to His will sometimes requires we move beyond our feelings of inadequacy and fear to embrace that which only He can accomplish.

The good news is that His Spirit is renewing those minds that are open and willing, ready to encircle His revelation and take on whatever task we understand to be His design for us. I am grateful that we have great minds working on our team; minds that are tuned to God’s Spirit and ruled only by a desire for obedience; minds that are capable of discernment regarding the complex issues we face and making them transparent and comprehensible for others of us less disciplined. With that kind of leadership and thinking we will be able to achieve more now than ever before!