HARMONY OF THE HEART AND MIND ARE ESSENTIAL TO RIGHTEOUS LIVING

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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 these things.”
(Philippians 4:8)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever considered the difference
between your mind and your brain?
The relationship of the mind and the brain
are similar to the relationship of a pianist and a piano.
The piano is the brain and the pianist is the mind.
The piano is the engine and the pianist determines what to do with it.

The brain is our engine and our mind determines how it will function.
When we receive salvation from God,
we don’t get a ‘new brain’, we get a ‘new mind’.
Of course that means we will discover new ways for the brain to function.

This is why the ‘god of this world’ will do all he can to distort our minds.
Whenever he can cause us to think sinful thoughts,
he knows that it will lead to sinful actions.
He wants us to become foolish in our thinking
so that our brain will choose evil over good.
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt,
their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. (Psalm 14:1)

Satan’s schemes are meant to distract us
from thinking about the things mentioned in Philippians 4:8.
Why? Because he knows that when our thoughts are on
righteousness, our ears are blocked from his ‘voice of corruption’.

There is also a connection between the heart and the mind.
The sincerity and magnitude of
what our mind thinks is governed by what is in our hearts.
The two need to be synchronized
in order for us to live righteously (which pleases God).

When the two are not in perfect harmony,
we experience a battle within known as ‘hypocrisy’.
Our mind may have a desire to think righteous thoughts,
but our heart (which fuels our thinking) is not ‘on the same page’.

This is why there are people who can quote scripture,
do and say what sounds righteous, and yet live a sinful lifestyle.
Satan has broken the connection between
their heart and mind, and caused them to become hypocrites.

Look at what Jesus said about hypocrites.
He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about
you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor me
with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Mark 7:6)

Jesus tells us of the eternal destiny for hypocrites.
He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with
the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing
of teeth. (Matthew 24:51)

ACTION:
Have you been victimized by Satan’s influence on your heart and mind?
If so, you can change your status by following Paul’s advice
to “think about these things” (things that are righteous and good).
You will know your heart and mind are being changed
whenever you have decided to depart from a sinful lifestyle.

It is one thing to ‘think with the mind’ about ending a sinful lifestyle,
but the sincerity of the heart is shown when you actually take action
to end your lifestyle which conflicts with God’s laws, and has made
you a hypocrite destined for ‘weeping and gnashing of teeth’.

Satan can “harden our hearts” to the point that we will not
listen to those who see us self-destructing and want to help us.
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from
the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to
the hardening of their hearts. (Ephesians 4:18)

When our hearts are hardened,
we can completely turn away from God.
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful,
unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
(Hebrews 3:12)

It is not easy to ‘break free’ from Satan’s control,
but God doesn’t want anyone to perish, so He is ready
and willing to help us, but we have to ask Him (sincerely).
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand
slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to
perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I may fool others but I can never
fool You. You can read my heart and see the desires
of my mind. I need You and Your Spirit to help me
in my efforts to think about the things shown in Your
Word. If I have allowed my mind to be corrupted to
the point that I am living a sinful lifestyle, and either
denying it or justifying it, forgive me and help me to
change my thinking, and create in my heart a sincerity
to be obedient to You and your commands.”