THE BATTLE FOR THE MIND-2
The first victory for the mind is to unite it by faith in Christ, with the life that flows out of God. In the onward journey of pilgrimage for the Christian, his mind undergoes a transformation, becoming renewed daily to become united with the mind of God. There are both facilitators for this process as well as roadblocks and this is where we find an ongoing battle for the mind in a pilgrim.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colos 3:2).
Hope is that element which enables a pilgrim to translate his thoughts from what is earthly to that which is heavenly. Ironically when the mind is lifted up from the abundance of earthly matters that occupy us, to be anchored in eternity through hope, we find strength to apply our minds to earthly matters in a better way. And so setting our minds on things above does not diminish our ability to live in this world, rather only sharpens our minds to better apply ourselves to our earthly pursuits.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov 3:5,6)
There are several impediments to a renewed mind. One of them is worry- planning and despairing over situations and challenges. This wears the mind down in quick time. Faith is a mandatory application if worry needs to be overcome. To trust that the all-powerful Lord will make right what we are worried about and helpless to correct on our own, is really the only way to put worry away. Faith is also the primary means by which our minds are set on the high road of renewal and transformation.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
This is an exhortation to actively apply our wills to think in a pure way. This also means we control what makes its way through our senses to our minds to dwell therein. The abundance of thoughts that go through our minds pretty much determines our actions and our lifestyle. And so when we resist what is ignoble and embrace what is admirable, our minds become renewed and productive.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinth 10:5)
Yes, a battle rages to take control of the mind of a pilgrim. Lest he realizes that fact and engages in the active process of taking captive each thought, his mind will remain infantile and unproductive.
