The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Mind

  • Have Good Treasure in Your Heart

    “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

    Luke 6:45

    “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). This is a verse that I heard often as I was growing up. However, this verse must be understood in order to appropriate its’ meaning into one’s life. As one reads about the heart in the Bible, it is good to understand that the heart is the seat of one’s emotions, will, intellect, and moral consciousness. The heart is seen as the center of one’s spiritual life, or lack thereof. That is why it is so important to protect it (keep it with all diligence). What goes into the heart is what makes the person, and what comes out of the heart reveals the true nature of that person.

    Remember in the wilderness when Moses was preparing the new generation to enter the Promised Land, he read them the Ten Commandments again. He reminded them that they had not wanted to hear directly from God. Instead, they wanted God to tell Moses, and for Moses to tell them God’s Words. “27. Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it,and do it. 28. And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. 29. O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!” (Deuteronomy 5:27-29). Did you notice what God wanted from His people? God wanted His people to fear Him, keep His commandments (so that it would be well with them and their children forever), and He wanted them to have these things in their hearts. If they had had this kind of a heart, they would have obeyed God and saved themselves much grief. The days in the wilderness were a time of proving – to see what was in their hearts. “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no” (Deuteronomy 8:2). God expected obedience to His Word, for it would be well with them. If you remember, they failed often. The trials they had in the wilderness revealed what was really in their hearts.

    Later, we read much about what David declared about God’s Word in Psalm 119. Notice one specific verse: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). God’s Word in the heart can prevent much sin in one’s life – if one will remember to obey God’s Word! Instead, we tend to put much junk into our hearts today. Proverbs chapter ten is a good one to study to help you know the difference.

    Jesus taught that we can tell much about one by what comes out of their heart. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45). A good man has good treasure in his heart, and so he brings good out of his heart. Obviously, the opposite is true of an evil man with evil treasure; for he brings out that which is evil. Now does it make sense as to why we are to “keep our hearts with all diligence”? How many of you had a mother who taught you “What goes in, will come out.” It is true. Jesus taught this.

    The following verses may narrow down exactly what this is referring to as it relates to the things placed in one’s life. “5. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:5-8). We can understand that the description “flesh” and “carnally minded” represents those without Jesus in their hearts, those who are dead and cannot please God (“enmity against God”). On the converse, “Spirit” and “spiritually minded” represents those who have Jesus in their hearts and lives and are able to please God. Do not be a Christian who has remained carnally minded! One living in the flesh cannot please God.

    Understanding these things, what comes out in a Christian’s life should reveal that Jesus is truly in that heart. Once we understand that basic concept, we can then begin to honestly serve the Lord with what He had given us, making a difference in this world for Him.

    Are you spiritually minded, revealing Jesus to the world by what treasure comes out of your heart?

  • Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

    “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”

    Ephesians 5:19

    There are many old hymns that we may have forgotten. Today’s music seems to call our attention to things other than the great Scriptural truths that can be found in some of those great, old hymns. There is one that I was reminded of the other day. Once I read the words again, many Scriptures came to my heart and mind. It reminded me again of the importance of praising and singing of God’s grace. However, there are many other things that the following song brings to mind. Read the words of the song “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”.

    Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

    Author: Robert Robinson (1758)

    1. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing;
    Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
    Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
    Call for songs of loudest praise.
    Teach me some melodious sonnet,
    Sung by flaming tongues above;
    Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
    Mount of Thy redeeming love!

    2. Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
    Hither by Thy help I’m come;
    And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
    Safely to arrive at home.
    Jesus sought me when a stranger,
    Wandering from the fold of God;
    He, to rescue me from danger,
    Interposed His precious blood.

    3. O to grace how great a debtor
    Daily I’m constrained to be!
    Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
    Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
    Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
    Prone to leave the God I love;
    Here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
    Seal it for Thy courts above.

    Consider just a few of the following verses this song brings to mind:

    “1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

    “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

    “19. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20).

    “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12).

    “4.What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?5.And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing” (Luke 15:4-5).

    “9. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10. I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10).

    “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:14).

    Read Romans 7:15-25.

    “12. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:12-14).

    “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).

    “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).

    “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19).

    “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9).

    The entire chapter of Isaiah 25 is good to ponder upon. It is a great example for us to remember to offer God praises for what He has done.

    “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).

    “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments” (Psalm 119:10).

    This is just a sampling of the verses that this song brings to mind – and there are many more. The greatest hymns will bring God’s Word to one’s heart and mind. It will help keep those Scriptures and principles they teach to remain in the heart and mind. One of the best ways to remember things – music. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).

    Do you speak to yourself in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs remembering and praising the Lord?

  • The Christian’s Goal

    I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
    Philippians 3:14

    Paul, the Apostle, lived as a mighty example of a Christ-like life. He had once tried serving a religion, but when he met Jesus, he understood the uselessness of it (see Philippians 3:1-10).            

    Although Paul was not perfect, he understood that the goal of his life was to follow Jesus – wherever that may lead him (remember, he wrote this letter to the church at Philippi from prison!). “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12). Paul understood something very important that Christians today should understand, too. “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). John wrote, understanding that without God loving us first, we could never love Him. Do you remember how God revealed His love to us? “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be the “propitiation for our sins.” This means that Jesus became the atoning sacrifice that God demanded for my sin, taking away my penalty of death – for Jesus died for me. Because of that, Paul declared, “I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” When Paul relinquished his will, trusting Christ, Paul had been saved. He then belonged to Jesus. However, living here on earth, he still lived in his physical body, in a world of sin. Nevertheless, Paul understood that by following after the things of Christ, he was becoming more like Christ. Because of that, Paul wanted to “apprehend” a Christ-like life. Moreover, one day Paul would be in heaven with Jesus, perfect in every way.

    Paul used a race to help understand something one cannot physically see. The Christian life is a spiritual one, and you cannot see the spirit. However, one can see the results of living a Christ-like life, and that is what Paul wanted Christians to understand. Just as in a race, one must focus the eyes upon the goal, the finish line, without looking back. “13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Each Christian is to strive to know God by understanding and living a Christ-like life.    

    How can a Christian who lives in this world possibly reach for and live a Christ-like life? Remember back to what Paul already told them in Philippians 2:5: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” No one can do it unless that Christian has the mind of Christ. Being like Jesus must be the goal in a Christian’s life. “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you” (Philippians 3:15). Perfect means “full-grown in the knowledge of the truth in comparison to the babes in Christ.” Another way to understand it is that there are mature Christians who know and understand God’s Word. Be thus minded means “to think or sense mentally one and the same thing; as in ‘the same mind be in you as in Christ.’” Paul was setting himself up as an example of one who had learned to have the mind of Christ. The Christians were to follow his example, and any other who lived the same – and God would reveal the right Christian lifestyle example to follow. “16. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Philippians 3:16-17). Paul lived his Christian life becoming more like Christ. He was a great example to follow. Part of their Christian duty was to recognize fellow Christians who were striving to become more Christ-like, because they could be examples as well.

    However, Paul parenthetically gave an important warning. “18. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19. Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” (Philippians 3:18-19). There are many who do not strive to be Christ-like, and instead become enemies of the cross. They were to recognize true followers of Christ, following them, and remember the enemies Paul warned them to avoid – those who mind earthly things.

    Paul reminded them of something important. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). Although we live here on this earth now, Paul wanted them to remember that a Christian’s home (the word conversation means “citizenship”) is (and one day will forever be) in heaven with Jesus. We are to look for Jesus, the Saviour, who will return for us one day.

    Do you have the mind of Christ, which enables you to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus?