We don’t talk much about the mind in Christian circles, but the Bible has much to say about it. Not everything is spiritual. Your mind is your decision maker and is located between the spirit and flesh. Depending on how much of God’s truth is embedded there, it will either side with the one or the other when a decision is to be made. It is for this reason that the Bible instructs us to “plant” the Word in our minds, also known as the soul:
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21
The true value of the verse above rises to the surface when our world is shaken and things begin to fall apart. It is natural to panic when we are overwhelmed — but it doesn’t have to be so. A peaceful mind is always capable to function better than one that succumbed to fear. It is exactly when our world is shaken that we need to make sound decisions, and the Word gives us more than enough instruction on how to build a strong mind.
One of the signs of the last days is the unraveling of the moral fabric that holds societies together. Every culture lives by a (mostly) unwritten code of conduct that ensures harmony and productivity in the group — a common understanding of how life works among them. Imagine life in the kind of world Paul described to Timothy:
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God… 2 Timothy 3:1-4
The latter days Paul spoke about, are here. What he predicted around 2000 years ago is a screenshot of our time. Not only do these things happen, they are being promoted and defended as good morals of a fair and tolerant world. Needless to say, it creates nothing but stress and hatred that rip communities, families, and even churches apart, leaving people in fear for what might happen to them in the end. When men become lovers of themselves, they lose the ability to empathize with others, and care only about themselves. The result is communities that are cold and dangerous.
Read through Paul’s list above again, and pay close attention to his choice of words as he describes the general attitude of the last days. It is a detailed recipe for the destruction of good relationships. Sadly enough, such personal traits do not bring any benefits to anybody — only the eradication of good things that bind people together. Already the victims are stacking up in our communities, causing mental health issues to reach pandemic levels. People find it increasingly hard to think straight, or to figure out how to solve their own problems.
Unfortunately, life will only get worse as we approach the end of this era, but the good news is that the Bible included passages like this to prepare us for it. Scripture reminds us over and over again not to be anxious or fearful, because these things must happen to bring the sinful human history on earth to an end. It is clear that the solution to today’s ills doesn’t lie in politics, education, wealth, or any such thing, but in the Word of God. You can never go wrong by following His advice. Stability in a world shaken by its own wickedness can only be found in the One who knew the end from the beginning.
We cannot save ourselves. There is only one way to escape the final surrender to the depravity of this generation, and that is to take advantage of God’s offer of grace while it is still available. But notice that this offer has an expiry date; it will not last for ever — the time to receive it, is now.
A mind filled with God’s truth is absolutely a requirement to navigate a path through the confusion that washes over our failing systems. It may not seem as critically important today, but, as time rolls on, it will become increasingly clear how valuable an asset a sound mind is. Bear in mind the impact that the breaking down of supply chains, food scarcity, unaffordable energy, and personal safety will have — things that already began. Only a mind unshakeable by the troubles of the day, will be able to find a way through the unusual challenges that await us all.
Paul explained to the Philippian church how to make it through difficult times:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7
- Be anxious for nothing — the Lord promised to never leave or forsake us, therefore there is no reason to be anxious for anything.
- Make your requests known to God with thanksgiving, for thanksgiving is an expression of faith. Remember, faith always sees the answer to our prayers.
By doing so, the peace of God which surpasses understanding — that is to be calm in circumstances where it is unthinkable to have peace — will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This is one of the strongest promises we have to lean on in troubled times.
Paul continues:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8,9
Meditating on — or to fill your mind with the troubles that surround you — will only bring you to the same fear and anxiety everybody else is struggling with. However, you have the ability to choose what to meditate on, which is why Paul teaches us to set our minds on things that lead to peace. These verses are survival mechanisms for the time that we are now entering into. If you read about Paul’s life, and the many dangers he encountered, you will do well by taking his advice to heart. He knew what he was talking about.
Already we see confusion, uncertainty, and fear paralyzing the minds of many. The only way to stay the course through these choppy waters is to have your mind filled with God’s promises.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ… 1 Peter 1:13
You gird up the loins of your mind by tying up any loose ends — thoughts that run wild because of what it sees. Never allow your thoughts to be scattered by fearful things that happen!
Now is also a good time to hold onto Paul’s words of encouragement to Timothy:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Because you always follow your eyes — you go where you are looking — we are being called upon to look past the bad news of the day, and fix our eyes upon that place where we are heading:
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2
Listen to the advice of the prophet Isaiah:
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3,4
