While the mind serves a vital role in spiritual formation, it is NOT the beginning or end. The mind cannot transform anyone into a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Only God’s faith embedded within a person can do that. The mind IS, however, a gatekeeper of whether spiritual formation occurs or continues. Let me put it into perspective.
God’s Design
God comprises three persons, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” Genesis 1:26 (ESV). He then created humans to also have three parts. Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. Genesis 2:7 (ESV) The apostle Paul identified those three elements by writing, now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV) The mind, not the body’s brain, is one of the three functions of the soul and serves a pivotal role in a person’s spiritual condition.
All three of human components (spirit, soul and body) took part in man’s first sin and therefore must take part in his salvation. When the woman saw (reasoned with the mind/soul) that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate (body), and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 (ESV) The role of Eve’s spirit in doubting or choosing not to believe God’s word was implicit in the context. This disobedience was the fall of humanity. For salvation to occur, all three components within each individual must take part in reversing the rebellion (disobedience) before spiritual regeneration can occur. Paul explained if you confess with your mouth (body) that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart (spirit) that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (ESV) In this case, the soul’s decision to confess and believe in the heart or spirit, though not stated, is yet implicit in the context.
A Blind Spot
A blind mind will lead a person to living like a spiritual zombie. The natural person (soul/mind) does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Cor. 4:3-4 (ESV)
Divine Sight for the Blind Spot
Paul prayed, … that the God … may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, … Ephesians 1:16-18 (ESV) The goal of a Christian is to attain [through sequential enlightenments]… the … knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, Eph. 4:13 (ESV)
Summarized:
- No matter how much information the mind knows about God or practices right living, it alone cannot redeem man.
- The mind serves as a gatekeeper to intimate knowledge of and relationship with Christ.
- When the mind receives a divine revelation, then surrenders its control to God, the spirit and body will do their parts.
- The Spirit of God will recreate the person into being a child of God.
- As that process repeats itself in one’s life, that person will become spiritually mature, growing into the full stature of Jesus Christ.