THE BATTLE FOR THE MIND-1
The mind is an integral part of the soul and seamlessly integrates between the finite dust that comprises man and the infinite spirit that cohabits man and makes man human and alive. Man’s greatest battles are fought within the confines of his mind and how well he fares determines whether he lives in the realm of death while moving toward death or whether he experiences life and peace as he moves toward eternal life.
‘Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God’ (Romans 5:5-8)
The interaction between the will and the mind is seen here. Though the initial impression given is that the will influences the mind, the vice versa is also true with the state of the mind affecting how the will performs. So to move in a positive direction either painfully taking decisions in God’s favor or inundating your mind with God’s thoughts would help. When a person accepts Christ, the Spirit takes birth within him and it is man’s responsibility to give control to the Spirit’s leadership. Failing to do so will keep him in the realm of hostility to God. Being controlled by the sinful nature is incompatible with pleasing God and living in harmony with him.
However as he allows the Spirit to control, the will obeys God, at times painfully. This leads the mind, over time, to dwell constantly on God’s thoughts and desires and brings man into a state of union with God’s mind. This is the state of the mind that is ‘set’ on God’s ways. Such a mind vanquishes worries and unnecessary planning with faith, deflects attempts to dwell on earthly accomplishments and suffering to the hope that awaits and learns to base thoughts about dealing with others on the principle of agape love. The big difference is seen in the output of the life of such a person who moves from the dryness of death to the vibrancy of life and peace.
