Mind Control part 1
Relax. Don't put on your aluminum foil helmet. I'm not trying to use subliminal messages to control your mind. I'm simply saying, "You don't have to believe everything you think." I'm simply working on the theme found in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Mind control. Thought control. I'm going to use a familar verse to show why this theme is so important: Proverbs 23:7, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." As you think, so are you. And more specifically as you think IN YOUR HEART so are you. I'm convinced that the Bible--every Word in every verse in every chapter in every book--is simply different pictures of the same thing. Pictures of God. Pictures of love. Becasue God IS love. So when we're talking about the mind of Christ, we're talking about the heart of Christ. We're talking about thinking with your (GOD'S) heart. UNDERSTANDING with your heart. Proverbs 15:14 tells us that, "The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness." And remember what 2 Corinthians 10 says, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God." The heart of him that has understanding seeketh knowledge, and casts down everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Let me say it another way: Eat the watermelon and spit out the seeds. Be like the Bereans who, "...received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily..." (Acts 17:11). What I'm trying to say is: Just because someone says something doesn't make it true. What's the old saying? Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear. I know I'm starting this Rant series out with a lot, lot, lot of Scripture, but look at 1 John 4:1-2, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." There's your standard right there. But let me lay this out the way I always absorb it. Because "Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh" seems to have turned into, "If you don't confess that Jesus has come in the flesh you're on the highway to hell." It's become a religious hoop to jump through. Here's how I absorb it: Jesus is God. God is love. LOVE has come in the flesh. The Word (Jesus, love) became flesh and dwelt among us. Every SPIRIT that "confesses" (or agrees with) this is simply the Spirit of love. Every time we love someone with the love that we are loved with, the Spirit (love) becomes flesh. It's not about forcing "Jesus," or worse yet religion, down people's throats and making them choke. It's about loving people. We don't control the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ control us. Which is exactly what 2 Corinthians 5:14 says in the NLT, "Either way, Christ's love controls us..." That's mind control. Not warring against sin (or unbelief), but fighting the good fight of faith. Focusing only on what is good, and pure, and holy. LOVE!