“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Rom 12:2)
Has your mind ever changed? Unless you still think as you did as a child, it must have! Your thinking will have become more mature. You perceive and understand much more than you once did.
Natural openness
Change and maturity come about by being open in heart and mind to people you have come to trust, with whom there is a relationship of sufficient love and respect. At least for their first few years, most children will remain open to their mothers and fathers in this way. Most will be fortunate enough to move on and discover other people from whom to learn; helping them to grow in maturity and wisdom.
Facing difficulties and suffering as we grow older can produce discernment, if we allow it. Our personal relationships will enable us to continue to grow in maturity and wisdom for a lifetime. This will especially be so for those who know that Jesus is the Way and have truly put themselves into the hands of God. Such people will remain open to changing their minds from the ways of this world to aligning their hearts and minds with their Saviour.
Fossilised minds
The ability to evaluate evidence and change one’s mind is not a given. The minds of some were made up at an early age. For one reason or another, the flexibility to change and mature did not become easily available to them. We, too, can become like that if we are not open to listening to others. We would be well-advised to regularly question the extent to which our certainties are well founded, for many will have contrary opinions.
We would be well-advised to regularly question the extent to which our certainties are well founded, for many will have contrary opinions.
Stubborn prejudices can cause a lot of trouble. Fossilised minds generate disagreements. Ideologies cause wars, especially when they are enforced by legislation. An ideology is a whole system of thinking, built up from early beginnings. It is helpful to be aware of the spiritual nature of these origins.
Spiritual influences
The pattern of logic through which an ideology matures is driven by received spiritual influences which (either knowingly or unknowingly) will have become formative beliefs. Different ideologies are generated by different spirits. If we compare the associated ideals and politics of the various major religions of the world, the influence of spiritual belief upon perception, reasoning and ideology becomes plain to see, although it is often unacknowledged.
When both the media and the people with whom we associate are imbued with a spirit of apprehension and fear, we too are liable to become apprehensive and fearful.
Human minds are affected by powerful spiritual influences. For example, when both the media and the people with whom we associate are imbued with a spirit of apprehension and fear, we too are liable to become apprehensive and fearful. Again, if we find ourselves in the company of followers of another religion or ideology, we may be tempted to inquire and become fascinated, and if we are not careful we are likely to become significantly influenced.
Spiritual influences are powerful. Humanism, for example, is a potent spiritual force, and is particularly prevalent in our schools, universities and law courts.
Humanism
As humans, we all have similar anatomy, physiology and genes etc. If you assume that mind is only the consequence of our biochemistry, you might expect everyone to be of a similar mindset. In which case, what we believe must logically be the product of our genetic makeup. If we then claim to be unable to believe in a God who allows dreadful things to happen, and thus abandon godly truth, it might be coldly logical to assume that what we experience and believe about ourselves and the world is the only reality.
The fallen humanistic world we then live in elevates mankind to the measure of all things.
By ignoring the supernatural presence of God, we become deluded. The fallen humanistic world we then live in elevates mankind to the measure of all things. The big trouble comes, however, when we encounter forces of evil that cannot be controlled by human authority.
Pressure groups sucked into this humanistic delusion can be powerful enough to persuade governments to ban ‘conversion therapy’ – that is, to ban any interpersonal activity which might help people change their minds by questioning accepted beliefs.
From glory to glory
The response of most institutional churches has been to promote love, to advocate liberty, peace and humanistic social justice. They also tend to support governments in telling people what to think and believe, rather than to challenge the humanist agenda with the spiritual reality of the full Christian gospel - which is Jesus Christ, actually coming to live in you, to give real hope of eternal glory (Col 1:27).
God created the human mind to be free, which means, in this fallen world, that our minds and hearts are open to various influences. Though giving us free will, God wants us to decide for him and grow in maturity through all the vicissitudes of this life, to become equipped for the place he has for us in eternal life with him.
The primary requisite is repentance, namely a turning away from the ways of this world, a softening of the heart with a desire and commitment to live in accord with Jesus and an ongoing willingness to change our minds in order to grow close to God and become equipped for eternity. This can be remarkably healing.
The primary requisite is repentance, namely a turning away from the ways of this world, a softening of the heart with a desire and commitment to live in accord with Jesus.
Those who receive God’s only begotten Son as their Lord and Saviour, and who receive his Holy Spirit, will be the ones who inherit the kingdom of God. They will never change their minds about Jesus, even as their minds change from glory to glory – which should be an ongoing process, as we spend time in prayer and meditate on God’s word.
Ephesians 4:22-24 sums it up well: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
John Gordon was formerly a GP, a psychiatrist and a psychoanalyst. He is now a licensed minister in The Order of Jacob’s Well.
