Tag: mind

Ephesians 4:17 – New Way of Living

Posted on by Will

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

Truth to Learn

Don’t live your life like the rest of mankind.

Behind the Words

“Testify” is translated from marturomai, a form of martus, meaning “a witness.” The verb form that we have here means “to give a testimony of that which has been witnessed.” This is the word from which we get our English word martyr, meaning “one who gives his or her life for his or her faith.”

“Walk” appears twice in this verse. In each case it is the Greek verb peripateō. This word literally means “to walk around.” Paul uses it as a metaphor for the manner in which a person lives his or her life.

Loipos is the Greek adjective that is translated “rest.” It is derived from the verb leipō, meaning “to leave” or “to be absent.” Loipos refers to “that which remains.” In today’s verse, it is a reference to “the rest of the Gentiles,” that is, those who are not part of the body of Christ.

“Futility” is from mataiotēs, which refers to “worthlessness.”

The word “mind” is translated from nous which refers to “mental perception and intelligent understanding.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has just instructed us as to why we should all be at work in the church, serving each other and building-up each other. In doing so, we experience the growth that God provides for the entire body. Each of us is specially gifted for our service and, like stones perfectly fitted together, we are an integral part of the body. Also, as we serve each other, we grow together as a unit, a single body whose head is Christ.

Therefore – Paul cautions us that we should not conduct our lives the way those outside the church do. Paul refers to these people as “the rest of the Gentiles.” If you look carefully at how Paul uses this expression, you will recognize that there are three groups of people in Paul’s teaching: Jews, Christians, and the rest of the Gentiles. Everyone who is alive right now, who has ever lived, or who will ever live is in one of these three categories. Jews and Christians worship the same God, Jehovah, the Creator of Heaven and earth. The rest of mankind rejects God. These, instead of living their lives by faith, live their lives by intellect. They think they understand the source of all things (they call it “The Big Bang”) and they think they understand how they got here (by evolution). Paul will talk a little bit more about their thinking in the next verse.

Before we leave today’s verse, however, note that Paul says that we should “no longer” live our lives like they do. That means that there was a time when we did live like that. In fact there are many Christians today who live their lives intellectually instead of faith-fully. To them Christianity is an intellectual pursuit or it is a set of rules to live by. Paul says, however, that the Christian life is a life characterized by faith.

Application

Does your life resemble a member of the world system more than a disciple of Christ? Are you living by a set of rules in hopes of pleasing God? Or, are you living each day in humble submission to God, walking by faith and giving Him all the praise and all the glory? Which do you think He wants?

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

Ephesians 2:3 – Wrath Avoidance

Posted on by Will

Ephesians 2:3  – Wrath Avoidance

among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Truth to Learn

Before we were saved we were destined for God’s wrath.

Behind the Words

The word “among” is translated from the Greek preposition en, meaning “in” or “among.”

“Conducted” is from the verb anastrephō. This is made up of ana, meaning “again” and strephō, meaning “to turn.” So, literally it means “to turn again.” When used of a person it means “to move around,” that is, “to live one’s life.”

Epithumia is the Greek word translated “lusts.” It is made up of epi, meaning “over” or “above” and a form of thumos, which refers to “a passion or desire of the mind.” Thus, epithumia refers to “overly strong desires.”

The word “fulfilling” is from the Greek verb poieō, meaning “to make” or “to do.” It is expressed here as a present participle, so it could be translated as “doing.”

“Desires” is translated from thelēma which refers to “an act of determination.”

“Flesh” is from sarx, which literally refers to “the flesh of a living creature.” This word is commonly used to refer to the physical part of our existence as opposed to the spiritual part.

The word “mind” is translated from dianoia which refers to “deep thought” or “imagination.”

The word “wrath” is translated from orgē, which means “strong emotion, anger, or wrath.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul told us that before we became Christians we lived according to the ways of the world system in which we live. Our behavior was influenced by Satan who controls those who don’t believe in Christ.

What he tells us in today’s verse is that we used to live our lives controlled by the lusts of our flesh. Another way of saying that is that we used to be controlled by our sin nature. In the book of Romans, Paul calls it our “old man,” and he tells us that we used to be the slaves of sin:

knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Romans 6:6)

Because we were controlled by our fleshly desires and our imagination, Paul says we were children of wrath just like the rest of unsaved humanity. What he means is that before we were saved, we were God’s enemies and subject to his wrath. Many Christians don’t like to think of God as vengeful and exhibiting wrath; they like to think of God as a God of love. He is both. Those who reject Jesus Christ will one day experience the full fury of God’s wrath.

He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Revelation 19:15)

Application

As a Christian you still have a sin nature, but you don’t have to be controlled by it. Instead, you can submit your will to God and allow the Holy Spirit to control your life.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 12:16 – Right-minded Thinking

Posted on by Will

Romans 12:16 – Right-minded Thinking

Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Truth to Learn

Who we compare ourselves to affects what we think of ourselves.

Behind the Words

“Mind” is translated from the Greek word phroneō. According to Strong’s Dictionaries of Hebrew and Greek Words, his verb means “to exercise the mind, that is, entertain or have a sentiment or opinion.” We might call it “having a mindset.”

The word “associate” is from sunapagō. This word is made up of sun, meaning “together,” apo, meaning “away from,” and agō, meaning “to carry” or “to lead.” Thus, we see that this word literally means “to carry away together” or “to take off together.” In a negative sense it means “to be led astray,” but in a positive sense it means “to be personally involved.”

Meaning Explained

The message of the current verse centers on the Greek word phroneo. A literal translation of this verse might be, “minding the same thing toward one another, not minding high things, but taking off together with the lowly ones. Do not become conceited about yourselves.” As you can see, Paul is talking about how we think about ourselves and others within the body of Christ.

The crux of this verse is in the middle, “Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.” It is fascinating to observe people in the presence of a celebrity. Everyone wants to be near the celebrity and to be his or her friend. But nobody wants to be the friend of the poor homeless person. This is not how it should be within the church, according to Paul. We should have the same regard for everyone independent of their social or economic status. I think if we get to the nut of this one, we will see that these improper attitudes are based on selfishness (how others can make us feel or what can be done for us) instead of self-less-ness (what we can do for others).

Keep in mind that Paul is talking about relationships within the body of Christ. That’s why he uses such words as “one another” and “within yourselves.” His basis for these things goes back to verse 3 of this chapter:

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think right-mindedly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

He closes the current verse with a command that basically says, “Don’t get hung-up on yourselves.” Becoming self-righteous is the result of comparing ourselves to others (usually with an inflated view of ourselves) instead of comparing ourselves with Christ. If becoming like Him is our objective, then none of us will get puffed-up because the One we are comparing ourselves to is so much greater than we are.

Application

If we are submitted to our Lord and committed to becoming like Him, then we will naturally treat others with the proper attitude knowing that we, like them, are merely sinners saved by grace.

And we get none of the glory because He gets all of the glory!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 11:34 – The Greatest Mind

Posted on by Will

Romans 11:34 – The Greatest Mind

“For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has become His counselor?”

Truth to Learn

God is infinitely more intelligent and wise than we are; therefore, we have no reason to question his actions or plans.

Behind the Words

“Known” is from ginōskō, which means “to know, either in a beginning or completed sense.” It is expressed here in the aorist tense, indicating action that occurred in the past at a point in time. It does not express the process of gaining knowledge of God, but of having such knowledge.

The word translated “mind” is noun, which refers to “the consciousness that precedes actions or recognizes and judges them. That is, intelligence and understanding.”

“Counselor” is from the Greek word, sumboulos, which is made up of sun, meaning “together” and a form of boulē, meaning “advice or counsel.” Together they indicate “someone who is called together to give counsel or advice.”

Meaning Explained

A parallel verse to the current one is 1Cointhisns 2:16:

For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Both our current verse and this one above appear to be paraphrases of Isaiah’s words:

Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him? (Isaiah 40:13)

Paul is teaching us that God is infinitely more knowledgeable and wise that any man. No man can teach God anything nor could any man ever give counsel to the infinitely wise God. Earthly rulers have advisors to consult in times of difficulty or danger, but God needs no such council. He sits alone on His throne, ruling over all His creation with perfect wisdom.

Before we were saved, we did not know God’s mind, his intentions, or His plans. It is only since we have received His gift of grace that we now have “the mind of Christ” as we see in 1Corinthians 2:16. Therefore, who are we to question His plan of pruning out the Jews and grafting in the Gentiles until the fullness of the Gentiles comes? Who are we to question why He will once again turn to the Israelites and lead them in the ways of salvation? Who are we to question why God allows some to suffer the consequences of their sinful ways and bestows His grace on others, choosing them to be saved when they don’t deserve it? Who are we to ask Him “Why?” when He allows sorrow or heartbreak or tragedy to come into our lives? Who are we to question anything that God does?

Instead of trying to make God’s words say what we want them to say, let us accept His teaching as truth – God’s truth! Instead of questioning Him, let us humble ourselves before Almighty God, submitting ourselves to His will and committing ourselves to living His way.

Application

Instead of asking “Why?” let us simply ask, “What? What do you want me to learn from this, God? Teach me, for I am here to do Your will, O God!”

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 8:27 – Holy Intercessor

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Romans 8:27 – Holy Intercessor

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Truth to Learn

The Holy Spirit knows what to say and how to say it when He prays to the Father for us.

Behind the Words

The word translated “searches” is the Greek verb ereunaō, which means “to investigate, explore, or make inquiry.”

“Mind” is translated from phronema, a derivative of the verb phroneō, meaning “to think or to have a mind set.” Hence, phronema means “the thinking or mindset” that is to say “the tendency or inclination of the mind.”

“Intercession” is translated from the Greek word enthugchanō. We looked at a form of this word in yesterday’s verse. It is a compound word made up of en, meaning “in” and thugchanō, which literally means “to strike an opponent with a weapon.” When these two words are combined, however, the word has the meaning of “to fall in with or in behalf of another” or “to make a defense or appeal with another person.”

The word translated “saints” is the Greek word hagios, which means “a holy one” or “sanctified (set-apart) one.” Contrary to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, you don’t have to be canonized in order to be a saint. Anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has been justified and cleansed of all sins, has been set-apart (sanctified) by God as His own, and is referred to as a “saint” in the New Testament.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul told us that the Spirit of God within us prays for us when we are spiritually or physically weak. There are many who believe that this verse applies to us any time we are praying since, compared to God, we are always weak. But whether it is in those times when we think we are weak or at all times since we are spiritually weak compared to Him, the Holy Spirit is our perfect prayer partner.

Notice that the words “the will of” are in italics in our translation (The New King James Version). These are words inserted by the translators; there are no equivalent words in the Greek text. A more literal translation of the last phrase of the current verse would be: “because He makes intercession for the saints according to God.” That is to say, the intercessory work of the Holy Spirit is according to what God has determined, not according to our wants or desires.

When we put this all together we see why the Holy Spirit is such a perfect prayer partner. It is because He (God, who is the one who searches our hearts and knows us even better than we know ourselves) also knows what His own thinking is and, therefore, can speak directly to the Father for us in the most effective way and in perfect keeping with the will and purpose of God the Father.

Application

I have heard Christians say, “I’m not very good at praying.” What Paul is telling us is that we don’t have to be. In Phillipians 4:6 he tells us, “let your requests be made known to God.” We don’t have to use a lot of theological words, with an occasional “Thee” and “Thou” sprinkled in. We simply have to open our hearts and talk directly to God. Then, the Holy Spirit will be our interpreter, our representative to the Father.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 8:7 – Submission or Rebellion?

Posted on by Will

Romans 8:7

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

Truth to Learn

When we’re controlled by our flesh, we’re not submitted to God, we’re in open rebellion to Him.

Behind the Words

This current verse starts off with the Greek word dioti, which is a compound word made up of dia, meaning “through” and hoti, meaning “that.” So, literally it means, “through that” or “because of the fact that.” In other words, this verse explains why it is true that “to be carnally minded is death.”

The word translated “enmity” is the Greek word echthra, which means “the hatred and hostility openly displayed against one’s enemy.” It is most often translated as “enmity,” although in Galatians 5:20 it is translated as “hatred.”

“Subject” is from the Greek word hupotassō, which is made up of hupo (or hypo), meaning “under” and tassō, meaning “to arrange in an orderly manner” or “to rank.” It is a military term meaning to place in rank under someone else’s authority.

Meaning Explained

The current verse answers the first half of the previous verse:

For to be carnally minded is death

The reason, according to Paul, is:

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God

The reason that being fleshly minded is death is because it is in open hostility to God. Therefore, it cannot be in submission to God or His law. When we place ourselves in a position of submission to another, we are by definition at peace with them and recognize their authority over us. When we refuse to be in submission, we rise up in revolt and are by definition in open hostility and rebellion against their authority. They are opposite ends of the spectrum and are mutually exclusive. That is, you can’t be both in submission and in rebellion. You are either one or the other. In fact, Paul goes on to tell us that when we are being controlled by our flesh, we cannot place ourselves in submission to God. It’s impossible!

When we are being carnally minded, when we are allowing our fleshly lusts to control our thoughts and actions, we are not being submissive to God and we are, in fact, in open rebellion to His will. When we are in open rebellion to God, we have separated ourselves from Him. This, by definition, means that we are dead to God; we have broken fellowship with Him and we are not at peace.

Application

Do you have those times when you feel lifeless and totally separated from God? That’s the effect of sin. It breaks our fellowship with God. Were it not for the grace of God through the blood of Christ, we could never restore that fellowship. But because of what Christ did for us, we can come to the throne of grace, confessing our sins and having our fellowship restored because God has declared us righteous.

Do you feel lifeless and separated from God right now? Do you? Be honest with yourself!

If you do, get down on your knees and do something about it!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 7:25 – He is Lord!

Posted on by Will

Romans 7:25

I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Truth to Learn

Submitting to the lordship of Jesus Christ is the only way to win the battle against our sin nature.

Behind the Words

“Thank” is translated from the Greek word eucharisteō, which means “to express gratitude” or “to give thanks.”

The word translated “through” is dia, which can imply “motion through something” or “through the instrumentality, or by means of someone or something.” The latter is the meaning as it is used here.

“Mind” is from the Greek word nous, which refers to “intellect or mental perception.”

The word translated “flesh” is sarx, which refers to the flesh of an animal, but it is used metaphorically to refer to our physical being.

Meaning Explained

Paul’s initial conclusion now, of this entire battle between his desire to obey God and his tendency to commit sin, is expressed in the current verse. His conclusion is that with his mind, that is, his intellect, Paul serves the Law of God. As he said back in verse 22, he (his “new man’) delights in obeying the Law of God. The regenerated part of him wants to do God’s will. But with his flesh, that is his “old man” or his sin nature, Paul says he serves the law of sin.

Paul recognizes that the part of him that he has control over is focused on serving God, but the part of himself that he cannot control is a captive slave to sin. Again, let me point out that this does not absolve Paul of the responsibility for his sin. He is still guilty of violating God’s Law and of sinning against God. The difference, as we will see in the next chapter of this epistle to the Romans, is that God has provided a way for him (and us) to be free from the condemnation of sin.

That’s why he opens this verse with, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” You will notice that it is not Jesus to whom he is thankful, but to God (the Father) and his thanks is through, or by means of, Jesus Christ. Paul recognizes that it is because of what Jesus did for him on the Cross and by his resurrection from the dead that he is able to be freed from the dominion of his sin nature. By God’s grace the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us of all unrighteousness. Hence, he thanks God through Jesus Christ. But he doesn’t stop there. You will notice that he says “through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Paul recognizes that it is through the lordship of Jesus that he is able to overcome the lordship of sin that he is battling. In other words, he recognizes that it is only through submitting his will to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Master that he finally overcomes his slavery to his own sin nature.

Application

Too often we hear of people who have “accepted” the gift of salvation, the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross to pay for their sins, but they have never really submitted themselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. If you have never submitted to Him as Lord and Master of your life, you have not been saved.

Are you submitted to His will? Is He truly your Lord and Master?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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Romans 7:23 – Captured, Then Confessed

Posted on by Will

Romans 7:23

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Truth to Learn

Because of the battle within us, we become captured by our sin nature, but confession sets us free.

Behind the Words

“Members” is from a Greek word we have seen before. It is melos, meaning “a limb or other part of the body.”

The word translated “warring against” is antistrateuomai, which is a compound word made up of anti, meaning “against” and strateuomai, which means “to make war against a specific enemy.”

“Bringing me into captivity” is from aichmalotidzō, which means “to be taken away as a captive and made a prisoner of war.”

Meaning Explained

In verse 21 Paul said that he perceives an unwritten law that brings out evil in him whenever he is determined to do what is right. In verse 22 he said there is another law that he delights in: the Law of God. These are the two forces that are warring within him and in all of us. As we saw in the previous verse, these two forces are the “inner man” (the intellect of man) and the “old man” (the sin nature).

He now goes back to referring to these two opposing forces as laws, calling them the “law of my mind” (the intellect) and the “law of sin” (the sin nature). He aptly describes the conflict that occurs between these two as warfare. And, you will notice that Paul is astute enough to recognize that this is a warfare that is going on within his body. The two opposing forces have taken up residence in his (and our) physical body. These two opposing forces, these two laws, are at war specifically against each other and the battlefield is within our body.

He also recognizes that the law of sin is taking him captive and making him a prisoner of war. Hence, Paul is telling us that as the law of his mind, which delights in the Law of God (that is, obedience to God), and the law of sin (the sin nature) clash, the sin nature captures him, leads him away as a captive, and makes him a prisoner of war. In other words, his sin nature gains dominion over him.

I believe that this completely describes the battle that every Christian faces daily. We want to be obedient to God, we are determined to be obedient to our Heavenly Father and to please Him. But instead, we find ourselves succumbing to “the sin which so easily ensnares us” as Hebrews 12:1 calls it.

I don’t know about you, but I find that I get almost angry with myself knowing what I should do and, instead, doing what I know I shouldn’t do. As hard as I try I can’t overcome this enemy and it sometimes makes me feel guilty! Thank goodness for confession.

Application

Let us give thanks to God that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin! Though “our sins are like scarlet,” His blood washes them away completely so that we appear to God “as white as snow.” And we get that cleansing through confession, daily, hourly, minute-by-minute confession. For He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us – every time!

Now that’s grace!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

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