Your Physical Relationship: Jesus as Your Trainer

(This is the next chapter in the book, Hand in Hand: Deepening Your Relationship with Jesus Christ).

God created us tripartite:  body, soul and spirit.  The body is the physical part; the spirit is the life activity; and the soul is the part that makes each of us unique.  Think of it as an iPod:  it consists of the device itself, the electrical current, and the media recorded on it.  These three aspects of each person are inseparable until our final day on earth.  You are a creation of God and all things related to your physical being have a huge impact on your spiritual being.  Therefore, the care of the body bears a vital relationship to spirituality. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

On the other hand, we must be careful not to glorify, exalt or worship the body.  Humans have a history of turning spiritual concepts into carnal icons.  Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Romans 1:21-23. Today, this tendency has mushroomed into a universal cult sporting many different sects.  Cosmetics, the movie industry, beauty contests, supermodel idolatry, muscleman mania, tattoo and body piercing fads, plastic surgery trends and pornography thrive in this environment of carnal pleasure and obsession with looks.  The more outrageous, garish or shocking the effect, it seems as though the more desirable it is.  The visible, tangible and sensate features of the body pose a constant temptation to focus on the outward appearance to the neglect of the inner person.  The believer needs to avoid this excess while maintaining a proper attitude toward the body.

The Bible makes it clear that the soul and the spirit have an eternal essence, whereas the body is only for this life.  This does not diminish the importance of the body; if anything, it emphasizes our obligation to maintain it as the repository of the soul and spirit.   As Paul, the Apostle wrote to the Corinthians, “If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us.”  2 Corinthians 4:7 (MSG).  So, even though our bodies are perishable, they are still God’s chosen method to house His Spirit and to interact with other human beings on earth. 

Treat Your Physical Body with Respect 

We have a duty to maintain the body that God gave us.  If you have failed to do this, you need to return to an alignment with the purpose of your Creator.  It is God’s will for you treat your body with the highest level of respect.  The Old Testament proclaimed the health and well-being of each person as a fundamental part of the Jewish religion.  Personal hygiene guidelines, dietary laws, disease prevention laws and dozens of related customs were imposed upon the people in an effort to keep them healthy.  The New Testament views many of these laws as spiritual applications, but the principle of maintaining a healthy body stays the same.  

A Healthy Diet Is Your Responsibility  

Not everyone has the knowledge of nutrition and dietary health, nor do we all have the finances to support the best possible eating regimen, but we should be reasonable about our intake.  There is little excuse for us to overdo it with salt, sugar, carbohydrates or other foods or food additives that we know are bad for us. Information on good nutrition may be found in many places.  Just understand that if you begin to gain excess weight or start to suffer physical symptoms of bad health, it is time to make a change.  The problem most likely stems from poor discipline rather than a lack of knowledge or money.  When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you; And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.   Proverbs 23:1-3.  

Your Body Needs Exercise 

Moderate exercise does benefit the body.  If you lead a sedentary life, with little or no cardiovascular or muscle activity, you risk damage to your heart and your entire physical wellbeing.  The Apostle Paul did say “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come,” (1 Timothy 4:8), but his reference was probably that of the Greek Olympic traditions.  His other allusions to athletics such as running or boxing indicate that he was familiar with physical exercise in a positive sense.  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.  Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Do Not Defile Your Body 

Neglecting your physical body is bad enough, but many people deliberately abuse their bodies.  The kinds of abuse to which humankind has subjected the body boggles the mind.  God never intended for us to become morbidly obese, addicted to drugs alcoholics, smokers, consumers of poisonous junk food or mutilators of our physical beings.  One of the many curses of modern society concerns the overuse of prescription drugs.  The insidious factor is that since these substances are legally obtained, they seem harmless.  The Scriptures do not forbid the use of medicines, but the narcotic content of today’s pharmaceuticals constitute a much greater hazard than any concoctions used two thousand years ago.  Addiction to a drug can overtake a person quickly and unexpectedly.  This danger warrants extreme caution when taking certain drugs, even though they are helpful in suppressing excruciating pain.  All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12. 

Our world swims in an epidemic of sexual sin, but this phenomenon existed in Paul’s times as well.  He warns the Romans about these excesses.  For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise, also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:26-32.  This passage needs no additional commentary.  Anyone who aspires to a close relationship with God willingly submits to these commands.  

Conventional wisdom justifies sexual activity that the Bible deems illicit by calling it private, harmless and an expression personal preference.  Those who believe this, however, miss the point that sex is a relationship issue.  The Bible teaches us unequivocally that sexual sins defile the body.   Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.  Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not!  Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:13-18. 

True Spirituality Involves Your Body 

A professed commitment to Jesus Christ that ignores the impact on the physical body reflects an insincere heart.  John said, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”  1 John 3:18. If we say we love Jesus, yet show no signs nor bear any fruit of the relationship, the world has reason to doubt us.  It is clear from the Scriptures that faith must be more than mental assent.  The Apostle Paul said, “From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”  Galatians 6:17.  

If your physical body is not relevant to the display of your faith, then we have little more than a mind cult. The world should be able to observe you, to monitor your behavior and watch how you live to discern that you love Jesus.  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1.  While the spoken word remains a central aspect of the power of God, we must also recognize that he communicated many things without words. In Genesis, God made coats of skins for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness. This is a profound statement of divine intention. Even if there were no subsequent words to explain God’s act, the imagery of slaying and bloodshed itself would suffice to depict God’s assessment of sin. The rite of circumcision, Jacob’s wrestling match, the burning bush, pillars of cloud and fire, Aaron’s rod that budded, the Urim and Thummim, the tabernacle plan, the sacerdotal rituals and other actions that God did or commanded to be done show the importance of meanings in absence of words. 

Going further, Samson’s uncut locks of hair, judges giving a white or black stone, saluting and bowing to officials, ceremonial gift-giving, kisses, foods, preparation of meals, style and material for clothing, observation of days and time-periods, kinds of sacrifices and a host of other symbols were all used for various reasons in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, we see baptism in water by immersion, washing of feet, the communion supper, breaking of bread, anointing the sick with oil, fasting, giving of alms, and other sacraments or forms of service that had great meaning attached to them. The Bible overflows with non-verbal images. 

Without question then, non-verbal expressions in Bible practice were an important way to communicate thoughts, feelings and information to others. It is very instructive, then, to place this concept into the context of a Christian lifestyle as taught in the scriptures. For example, when someone declares that the wearing of long hair for women has no significance, he or she denies the reality of non-verbal communication. A woman’s long hair symbolizes a number of important concepts: submission to authority, distinction from the male gender, acceptance of a God-given role and a display of feminine glory. Likewise, when a woman’s hair was shorn, it was considered a mark of shame before the community. (1 Corinthians 11:1-15)

It is very difficult to say one thing and do another. For example, try shaking your head and saying “yes”, or nodding your head and saying “no”. If you concentrate, you might do it, otherwise, it’s hard to do. In the church, when a man says, “I am living a holy life,” and then gets drunk, philanders, and steals from his employer, his body language clearly contradicts his verbal messages. If a woman avows that she is pure and chaste, and then dresses like a prostitute and is frequently seen with different men at all hours of the night, what are we to conclude but that her claims are bogus? Actions verify words, not vice versa. Incidentally, the term to use for people who use words to cover up their actions is lying. No one needs resort to torrents of verbiage to convey a sense of godliness. If they would only act the part, many words would be unnecessary.

The Values of Christ Should Govern Your Physical Being 

The purpose in getting you on track with your body goes beyond health, feeling better, looking good or living longer.  Those may be worthwhile objectives, but the real purpose is that this is what God wants!  Keep God’s will as the driving force behind your behavior, dress, conversation, exercises.  It is your spiritual response to the divine purpose. 

Proper understanding of the scriptures will turn this around and create new, healthier habits.  If these demands seem extreme, they only show how far you may have drifted off of God’s chosen course.  But always keep in mind that the healthier your relationship to Jesus Christ, the more aware you will be of your responsibility to your physical body.

Behind Your Back: The Things People Say about You

Admit it.  You think certain thoughts about the people you see around you.  You may not say them out loud, but you know what you think.  And, sometimes, you do whisper things about others to your spouse or to a close friend.  If you do this, don’t you think others do the same thing?  Don’t you know that people talk about you when you leave the room?  If you don’t, get your head out of the sand.

So, what exactly do they say when you can’t hear them?  It probably covers the whole gamut; from what you look like to how you behave.  Their negative comments might sound something like this:

• You’re fat.
• You don’t take care of yourself.
• You smell bad.
• Your nose is too big.
• Your ears look like Dumbo.
• Your clothes don’t match.
• You have bad breath.
• You speak with a lisp.
• Your wardrobe has a malfunction.
• You talk too much.
• You’re a braggart.
• You think you’re so funny.
• You’re stupid.
• You’re a gossip.
• All you do is complain.
• Did you hear what they did last week?
• If I hear one more word about that surgery, I’ll go crazy.
• You brighten up a room by leaving. 

Okay.  This is getting depressing.  People do say some positive things about you in your absence.   

• I really like him/her.
• You are so attractive/handsome.
• You look nice.
• You dress so sharp.
• You are hilarious.
• You make people work better.
• You’re so smart.
• You never have a bad word to say about anybody. 

Actually, that’s all the positive things I can think of right now.  That’s kind of depressing too!  At any rate, the whole point of this exercise is that you are not the invisible person that you might think you are.  People notice you and they have opinions about you.  But, why don’t they say things to your face?  Why is our culture so structured that people feel inhibited in expressing their opinions to you in a way that you could benefit from them?  

Of course, we don’t want people to feel bad or get angry with us, but if we talk about them behind their backs, how is that any better?  The Bible teaches us to speak the truth in love.  If there is something you could genuinely change in a person just by taking them aside and talking sincerely with them, shouldn’t you try?  Put the shoe on the other foot.  Do you want people to talk about you behind your back?  Wouldn’t you rather have them say what they have to say to your face?  At least you could have an honest conversation. 

Anyway, that’s my thought for today.  And if you have a comment, don’t say it behind my back. Tell me.  I’m a big boy. I can take it. If you don’t want me to know what you’re thinking, keep it to yourself!  

The Word of God Requires Obedience

(This is the final segment of the chapter on Your Word Relationship: Jesus as the Light).

The Word of God Requires Obedience 

While the Bible evokes admiration by its wise advice, rhythmic verse, fascinating stories and profound concepts—traits which it shares with many other works of literature—none of them alone compel us to change our lives.  Its greatest feature is the expectation of obedience.  This constitutes the major difference between the Word of God and all other writings.  We cannot just read it for our enjoyment; it must alter the course of our lives.  Unless it is obeyed, we read it in vain.  This is the critical juncture that every person must negotiate.  Obedience is a relationship concept, thus, we need to understand it to a greater degree. 

Obedience is required.  The Old Testament often mentions the need for obedience.  Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today. Deuteronomy 11:26-27. If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the LORD your God. 1 Samuel 12:14. These commandments were under the law, and so obedience was expected. 

But some argue that New Testament believers are free from the mandate of the law and, therefore, are not compelled to obey.  The opposite view, in fact, may be seen throughout the New Testament.  Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 2 Thessalonians 3:14. Even further, Paul tells the Romans that obedience leads to salvation.  This does not contradict Ephesians 2:8-9 which says “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast,” rather, it qualifies faith by imposing upon it the standard of obedience.  Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began, but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith. Romans 16:25-26.  In other words, it is clear that the faith that saves is the faith that obeys! 

As a way to illustrate saving faith, an old evangelist used to tell the story of an aerial artist who had a wire strung over a canyon and ran a wheelbarrow on the line from one side to the other.  He then asked his audience, “How many of you believe I can do this again?”  They all raised their hands.  “Well,” he challenged them, “who is willing to get in the wheelbarrow and let me take you across?”  Not surprisingly, no one raised a hand!  They had faith in the artist, but were not willing to qualify it.  In salvation, if God’s Word instructs us to get into the wheelbarrow, only the faith that obeys will get across.  As the Apostle James puts it, “But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18. 

Obedience validates submission.  The true test of submission is not when you are asked to do something that you were inclined to do already; rather, you show your submissive spirit when you obey a command with which you disagree.  For example, Naaman, the famous leper in the Old Testament, felt insulted by Elisha’s instruction to dip seven times in the muddy Jordan River.  After a vigorous protest, he finally submitted to the command and was healed of his leprosy. 

The Apostle James appeals to the church to submit to God.  But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:6. If obedience is a relationship concept, submission is the basis for obedience to happen.  

In your walk with God, you will encounter opposition from your flesh on a daily, if not hourly, basis.  You will come face to face with commands from God that rub you the wrong way.  A seasoned saint of God used to tell me, “If your cat gets rubbed the wrong way, turn the cat around!”  Many of God’s orders are distasteful to the human will.  Adjust your thinking to the fact that both God and His written Word are right, and neither are going to change.  Only one option remains: your submission!  The good news, however, is this.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  James 4:7-8.

Obedience activates God’s promises.  Obedience does not mean that God is an egotistical tyrant who forces people to submit to him to prove His superiority.  It does mean that God, in His holiness, understands what is best for us and He rewards obedience by fulfilling His promises to those who perform His will.  He also opens their ear to instruction, and commands that they turn from iniquity. If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. Job 36:10-11. 

We often think of the patriarch Abraham as the poster child of faith.  We call him the “father of the faithful.”  We could just as easily say, however, that he exemplified obedience as well as faith.  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8. The result of Abraham’s faith, proven genuine by his obedience, was spelled out by the Apostle Paul.  That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14. Obedience to the commands of God enjoys confirmation by the promises of God.  The gift of the Holy Spirit is one of these promises that come as a result of obedience.  Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit Whom God has given to those who obey Him. Acts 5:31-32. 

Disobedience is unacceptable.  If obedience is required by God, it would seem logical that He will not tolerate disobedience.  Yet, some insist that God treats those who disobey Him as unruly children.  Disobedience, in their view, does not represent a serious infraction of His law.  He forgives them and loves them anyway.  The Bible, however, includes disobedience in with egregious and condemned behavior.  To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.  They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. Titus 1:15-16. 

The Apostle Peter calls the salvation of disobedient people into question.  For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Peter 4:17-18. Paul issues a similar warning to the Thessalonians.  And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8. 

The Word of God Is Our Blueprint for Life 

In an earlier essay on relationships that I posted on my blog, I wrote:

“How much do your relationships affect you? All of us understand the reality and need for relationships in our lives, but few of us understand the impact they make on us. Maybe an illustration from the world of physics will help us grasp this idea. We know that the gravitational force on Earth pulls everything toward the ground. This concept was formulated by Sir Isaac Newton, the renowned scientist of the 1600’s, who observed an apple falling from a tree and began to wonder why. He determined that a universal attraction affects all masses of matter through the force of gravity. This is called the Theory of Universal Gravitation. He posited that not only does the Earth propel the apple toward it by the force of gravity, but the apple also pulls the Earth toward it by that same force. In the same way, every person in one’s circle of family, friends and acquaintances affects that person. Conversely, that same person also has an effect on every other person in his or her universe. This creates an enormous and complex network of interdependent people, all of them connected to each other in some way, whether directly or indirectly. The things we hear, see and feel in other people in our network exerts either a positive or negative force on us. 

“There are many ways you can test this concept. You can start with the impact your parents had on you. Your physical appearance, behavior and personality were directly produced by your mother and father through your DNA. The primary way that babies and toddlers learn is by imitating others. Your accent is the product of the speech brogue in the locale in which you were raised. Your loyalties and preferences are most likely shaped by the people, groups and institutions in your same city or state. Social scientists have coined terms like acculturation and socialization to describe how people come to hold views espoused within the norms of their particular culture. Famed criminologist Edwin H. Sutherland formulated the theory of differential association based on his findings that people develop criminal minds through associating with other people of similar backgrounds and experiences. Groupthink, gangs, peer groups, classes, schools, cadres, political parties, clubs, factions, denominations and wings all testify strongly to the behavior of people in groups.

The old saying, “birds of a feather flock together,” refers to the fact that people tend to stick with those who most likely resemble themselves. The Bible says, “Evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Based on the realities of social development outlined above, we can readily see the powerful truth contained in this scripture. A person who does not think in evil ways can grow to be evil through the company he or she keeps. A pure mind and heart can be corrupted by associating with people who have evil hearts. This means that a person’s life is not merely a function of his or her own internal thought processes. We often make huge decisions, not by intellectual musing, education or thoughtful analysis, but by the innate desire that we possess to conform to our group. Moreover, this pressure can be exerted upon us by even one significant person in our lives.” (jonathanjordan.squarespace.com/the net.) 

For believers, our relationship with the Word of God means that the Bible exerts enormous influence on the way we live our lives. It shapes our belief system, our doctrinal positions, the historical record of the Bible, and much, much more.  Personally, we will also reflect the values of the Word of God in our habits, our attire, our language, our human relationships, our behaviors—in short, everything about our lives will be a function of Bible teachings.  

We Will Be Judged by the Word of God 

A solemn verse appears in Revelation. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. Revelation 20:11-12.  This verse constitutes fair warning to all.  If we are to be judged by the things written in the books, then we are apprised of this criteria beforehand so that God is justified when He judges.  Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. Psalm 51:4. 

Actually, the Word of God judges us today, long before there will ever be a Great White Throne judgment.  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13.  If you allow yourself to come under the scrutiny of the Word of God today, you will never have to worry about a future judgment.

Eat This Book 

The Prophet Ezekiel writes some shocking words.  Moreover, He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. Ezekiel 3:1-3.  The scroll referred to the Old Testaments parchments, or the Word of God written to the Hebrew nation.  The Bible Exposition Commentary explains the meaning of this unusual metaphor: 

“A hand stretched out and handed Ezekiel a scroll that didn’t have any good news written on it, because it was filled on both sides with “words of lament and mourning and woe” (Ezekiel 2:10 NIV). Perhaps it contained the messages that are recorded in chapters four through thirty-two, God’s judgments on Jerusalem and the Gentile nations. God commanded him to eat the scroll and it tasted sweet like honey (Psalms. 19:10; 119:103), although later he tasted bitterness (Ezekiel 3:14), not unlike the Apostle John (Revelation 10:8-11). It’s a great honor to be a spokesperson for the Lord, but we must be able to handle both the bitter and the sweet.”  Bible Exposition Commentary (BE Series). 

The picture created here tells us that the Word of God is food for the soul.  It must be consumed, ingested, digested and used for nourishment and strength for the people.  It represents a powerful illustration for the relationship we must forge with God’s Word.  We cannot master its precepts unless we internalize its message.  The permeation of the Word of God into our minds must replace our thoughts with God’s thoughts.  The Bible has to become “second nature” to us so that it represents our default position in the way we live our lives. 

The life of God’s Word brings a singular dynamic to the world unmatched by any other literature. No Plato classic, no Clancy or Grisham thriller, no Catton history or even any Shakespearean drama, despite their considerable wit and brilliance, dispenses life to its readers. The Word does exactly that. It breathes, moves and inspires. It interacts with our thinking, both consciously and sub-consciously, and essentially creates a new person within us. Its energy puts it on par with the very presence of Jesus, as we see in 1 John 1:1. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.” (NIV).  The Psalmist David explains the value of the engrafted Word of God.  “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!” Psalm 119:9-11. 

Love the Word.  Cherish it.  Respect it.  Let it wash through you.  Memorize it.  Meditate on it.  Study it.  Search out its hidden meanings.  Sprinkle your conversation with its verses.  Emulate its characters of faith.  Trust it.  Act on it.  Pray the Word.  Sing the Word.  Make it your standard of belief. Let it shape your opinions.  Make it the filter through which you strain all your decisions.  Qualify the issues of life through its pronouncements.  You must understand that your relationship with Jesus Christ will be a function of His Word in your life.  You, alone, will be the arbiter of that involvement. 

Your Word Relationship: Jesus as the Light

(This is the first segment of the chapter on “Your Word Relationship: Jesus as the Light,” in the book Hand in Hand: Deepening Your Relationship with Jesus Christ.  The publication date will be later this year.) 

If writers recorded all the acts of Jesus, no library could hold the volumes.  And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. John 21:25. Moreover, what if God would have revealed not just His acts, but His thoughts as well?  The universe isn’t big enough to have covered it all.  The significance of this speculation is this: God condensed all that He wanted us to know into a relatively miniscule sixty-six books of the Bible.  Thus, the value of the Word of God cannot be estimated.  Each chapter, each verse, each word possesses an eternal message for us, a message that must not be ignored, glossed over or diminished in importance. 

Our relationship with God dictates to us the priority of the Word of God in our lives.  The more intimate our relationship, the more important His Word is to us.  We find the keystone of this priority arch in Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible.  Almost every verse in the chapter contains a synonym for the Word of God: statute, law, way, commandment, judgments, testimony, etc.  It was written as an abecedarian piece, in which each stanza follows the order of the Hebrew alphabet.   The theme of the chapter starts out in the first four verses:  Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD!  Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. Psalm 119:1-4. Not only does our relationship to God make His Word valuable to us, it also informs us how we must relate to the Word of God.  Reverence for God translates into reverence for His Word. Let us explore these implications for this relationship. 

The Word of God Is Intrinsic to God Himself 

The Apostle John is the first one to identify the Word of God with God Himself.  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1. Later, in the same chapter, he equates the Word with Christ.  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14. “[John] means to jar you, touch your heart, leave you in awe of a God who would reach down from heaven and embrace his children at their level. It is all accomplished by God’s Word in living, breathing flesh—the bringer of eternal light and life for all who receive it: Jesus Christ.”  (christiannelson.thoughts.com) 

No greater emphasis can be placed on the Word of God than the “logos Christology” of John.  This truth receives a final affirmation in the book of Revelation.  Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. Revelation 19:11-13. 

So interwoven is the Word of God with the very Spirit of God, that to hear the Word represents the voice of God speaking to you.  When you read the Bible, you interact with the mind of God.  God cannot vary from, violate nor contradict His Word without undermining His own nature. Jesus, in His flesh, offered this prayer to the Spirit of God, Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 17:17. From a relationship standpoint, this fact is paramount because it speaks to integrity.  Trust is predicated on integrity, and trust is the cement that holds relationships together. 

The Word of God Is Forever Settled 

The writers of the Bible were specially called men who were anointed to give us the Word of God.  For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21. When the original authors of the Bible died, no more additions or changes to the Word of God occurred. Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to Your ordinances, for all are Your servants. Psalm 119:89-91. We can have confidence that the autographs (original writings) remain static to this day. 

The imperatives of this truth establish the solemn attitude necessary when reading the Word of God.  This is what we call a “hard truth,” as opposed to “soft truths.”  Soft truths are seen as fluid, and flexible, indexed to times and cultures.  The hard truth of the Word of God means that it transcends time and culture, impervious to trends, history and the fickle nature of humankind.  First, if the Word of God is malleable with culture, then God would have to follow man instead of man following God.  Second, the question is begged concerning which culture out of many on planet earth would or should God follow? North American?  Asian?  African?  Middle Eastern?  It would force God into a state of confusion. Such views are heretical on their face.  For I am the LORD, I do not change. Malachi 3:6. 

The Word of God Is Not for Private Interpretation 

Many systems of false doctrine base their success upon redefining scriptural terms. Their entire theologies frequently turn on highly specialized and often twisted definitions of key words. Once prospective converts accept the tortured definitions, they can be led into a radically different theological paradigm with relative ease. Either peddlers of false doctrine have limited training in principles of Biblical interpretation, or they disingenuously prey upon the untrained minds of others. 

Apostolics must carefully examine all new ideas blown in on the winds of doctrine, especially those that deal with the person of Jesus Christ or with the doctrine of salvation. Current trends in “pop” religion, far-out strains from the religious fringe, old heresies in hip clothing or someone’s private interpretation may look good at first blush, but all of them are constructed upon faulty hermeneutics. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation. 2 Peter 1:19-20.  Moreover, we must remember that every change in scriptural definitions ripples into profound implications for the entire body of scripture and doctrine. It is imperative to accurately define terms before embracing any doctrinal position. Without getting into deep theology, there are a few principles in good textual interpretation that all students of the Bible ought to know. 

Canon. The canon, or the accepted text of Genesis through Revelation (excluding the apocryphal books) form the basis of all true theology. A doctrinal idea must never force itself upon the text, but must be born out of the text itself. 

Convention. Conventional definitions of terms always provide the best place to start. In most cases, words mean what they are normally taken to mean, unless overwhelming evidence exists to the contrary. This is also called the “common sense” method. When someone subjects a simple, ordinary word to a freakish or hybrid meaning, it should arouse suspicion. 

Context. The same word can mean different things, but it depends upon the context. For example, when one reads the word wings in a verse concerning a bird, we have a reasonably good idea of its definition. When wings appear in a verse about God, however, the context suggests a very different meaning. 

Consistency. Other things being equal, words should be defined the same way each time they appear in scripture. In most cases, only the context may permit a variant rendering. A capricious changing of a word in a key verse signals defective interpretation. 

Original language. Those who appeal to the Greek and Hebrew to challenge Apostolic doctrine ought to cause red flags to go up everywhere. Many times pseudo-scholars look through the list of definitions of certain words found in a lexicon, and simply choose the one that best fits their views. Thus, a little knowledge truly is dangerous.

Highly specialized definitions of scriptural terms generally indicate a weak doctrinal position. Proponents may even claim that believing this hybrid interpretation is necessary for salvation. They know that without a narrowly defined set of terms, their doctrine falls apart.

Erroneous definitions are extremely dangerous. They force error upon every verse in which the terms appear. As a result, all contradictory passages get dismissed as uninspired or mythical. They dramatically realign the Bible into a very different book. 

When faced with an unusual definition, ask these questions: Is it based upon Bible truth? Does it make common sense? Does it fit the surrounding scriptures? Is it based on consistent usage? Does the author have the academic credentials to appeal to the Greek or Hebrew? Proper definitions are critical to sound doctrine.

Prayer is a Possibility

(This is the last segment of “Your Prayer Relationship: Jesus as Your Confidante.”)

Through prayer, we possess a limitless power to put thoughts into words.  We can literally pray about anything.  Of course, many things we pray about may not be the will of God, but the possibility remains for us to talk to God without restraint.  The limits on our prayers are self-imposed.  God puts no such limitations on us; indeed, He encourages us to engage in seemingly impossible ventures through faith and prayer.  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26. The Apostle Paul blew the top off of possibility praying.  Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20. Here are some endless possibilities in prayer:

A mystical experience.  Despite the common connotation of mystical, the word actually refers to “religious awe,” not the black arts or magic.  There is a realm of prayer into which believers can enter that puts them in touch with forces and beings not of this world.  The Apostle Paul spoke of this kind of experience when he said, “I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” 2 Corinthians 12:1-4.  Most scholars agree that the “man” he referred to was himself.  The purpose of this experience was probably to inform him of the reality of the spirit world.  He wrote of this reality in other passages of the New Testament.  Whatever it was, he considered it a high privilege of which he could have boasted had he chosen to do so. 

The ability to see prayer as a mystical experience empowers us to pray with understanding.  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26. Carnal prayers are predicated upon natural senses and natural understanding.  Praying in the Spirit requires us to see vast, spiritual powers at work. 

A release of the Spirit’s activity. Some have wondered why we cannot think our prayers instead of pray or prayers.  The answer is not clear in the Bible, but there seems to be at least three reasons why we need to pray aloud.  First, we need to hear our own words as we speak them.  Something happens to us when we vocalize our thoughts. It makes them real and viable, and it aids our understanding.  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.  1 Corinthians 14:14-15. 

Second, speaking out loud activates or releases the ministering spirits. Jesus, as God manifest in the flesh, could have internalized all His prayers, but He spoke them out loud, as we read in multiple verses, most significantly in John seventeen. 

Last, we pray out loud as an attack against Satan.  There is no indication in the Scriptures that the devil invades our thoughts.  Therefore, we must verbally address evil spirits.  But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. Acts 16:18. Spiritual victories do not just happen by themselves.  Only prayer makes them happen.  

The key to damaged relationships.  God puts his infinite wisdom on display when we are told to pray for our enemies.  The significance of this prayer may not be the affect it has on our enemies, but the attitudinal adjustment that happens in our own hearts.  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.  Matthew 5:44. 

Damaged relationships often result from misunderstandings, petty grievances and differences of opinions.  Sometimes, however, deeper dysfunctions, like bruised egos and wounded pride lie at the heart of conflicts in relationships.  It is dangerous to dismiss these problems as “normal,” and “that’s life,” or to insist that “they will get over it,” as though there is nothing you can do about it.  Pride often blocks sins of commission or omission from our view.  Prayer probes around the edges of conflicts, and, if done honestly, it will uncover secret faults in your own heart.  

What if you find that the fault for a problem stems from something within you?  What if you realize that you are the one who needs to initiate the steps to make things right?  Too many people loathe to admit mistakes.  If you know what you need to do, and yet you are reluctant to follow through, you must go to prayer.  Prayer makes difficult assignments easier.  It “greases the skids” for reconciliation, forgiveness, acts of kindness and forbearance.  Prayer holds the possibility for peace, and peace opens the door for love, cooperation and the joy of unity.  Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1.

A channel for physical and emotional therapy.  As we discovered in the earlier chapter on your emotional relationship with God, He desires us to live above the turmoil and anxiety of life.  Yet, all of us battle these feelings to some degree.  A rich practice of prayer activates the emotional, as well as physical healing that brings tranquility to our lives.  Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:13-15. 

The source of many problems in our bodies and minds are organic.  Even the Scriptures show that medicinal remedies may be used as treatment for these problems.  But there are other afflictions that are spiritual in cause and nature.  These must be addressed through prevailing prayer.  And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. Luke 13:11-13.  Evidently, this woman was bound by a foul spirit, not an organic condition.  

Prayer is a place, a practice and a possibility.  Archimedes said in the Doric speech of Syracuse: “Give me a place to stand and with a lever I will move the whole world.”  Prayer is the place to stand.  It is also the lever by which we can move the world.  Never minimize the humble act of prayer.  So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.  And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:21-22.

Your Prayer Relationship: Jesus as Confidante

(This is the first segment of the chapter on Your Prayer Relationship: Jesus as Confidante in the book Hand in Hand: Deepening Your Relationship with Jesus Christ)

The vast subject of prayer has been on our radar from the beginning as we explore deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Like a watery mist, it permeates the whole of this relationship theme and seeps into every crevice and wrinkle of our spiritual journey.  The paradox of prayer, however, is that it is both the transportation and the destination; both the vehicle and the roadway; both the strategy and the goal.  To learn to pray both builds and becomes the prized relationship with God that all of us seek.  

The point that must be established here is this:  Your motivation to pray may indeed be the exercise of prayer itself.  Some runners run for the joy of running.  They love the excitement, the fluidity of movement, and the satisfaction of motion alone.  Others, however, need something more.  They run with purpose.  They want to reach a destination, whether it is a spot on the map or attaining a fit and healthy body.  Likewise, you will be abundantly blessed simply to immerse yourself in the practice of prayer.  But for some, just to pray is not enough motivation.  It must be more than a habit, an activity, a spiritual exercise or a Christian duty.  It must be a means to a deeper relationship.  If this describes your motivation, then prayer must take you somewhere special.  It must transport you ever closer to an inspired state of mind and heart; it must be a pathway to apprehend an intimacy with God that fulfills the longing of your soul; it must be a long moment of cherished seclusion with the One with whom you can be totally transparent.    

For the uninitiated or the outsider, prayer only means to ask for something.  For the spiritually minded, prayer expands into a spiritual experience.  To the Spirit-filled person, prayer transforms into a state of mind and heart, a rich relationship with God, and an adventure.  Prayer is a closet a room, a battleground, an arena, a vocation, a secret, an experience, a therapy session, a communion, a haven, and much more. Most importantly, prayer identifies Jesus as the Friend of Friends, the Sharer of our dreams, the Confidante who knows our heart’s hidden secrets.  The possibilities of relationship prayer overflow as we explore the scriptures.    

Prayer is A Place 

“Home is what you make it.”  The old saying rightly describes the place of prayer.  It’s not a geographical point; it is a concept, a zone in which the soul revels in familiarity.  A blogger writes, “You can spend your whole life at a place without making it your home, or you can spend a week in a town you may never want to leave. You can feel more at home in an old, slightly broken-down apartment than you ever will in the mansion of your dreams.”  (www.theodysseyonline.com). Too many believers spend uneasy and awkward time in prayer without ever feeling at home.  Make prayer a home for your weary soul, a refuge for your battered spirit, a magnet that draws you into its welcoming arms.  Here are places that prayer can be: 

A house, a dwelling place.  Let prayer become your first resort when trouble strikes or when loneliness overwhelms you.  Whenever people fall ill, the universal expression is “Take me home!” When we’re tired, confused, frustrated or hurt, we head for the familiar confines of home.  For the soul, prayer is that home.  Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:7.     

A place of separation.  Uninterrupted prayer requires solitude, but not just from people.  You need separation from your daily routines, from your pressing obligations, and from distracting influences.  Relationship prayer doesn’t work in a crowd or in a turmoil.  Quality time together with Jesus is a you and Him only thing. And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12 

A place to seek God.  Looking for a lost item makes you run around frantically to different settings and scenarios; looking for a lost thought, a spark of inspiration, or a word from God takes settling in to one place and focusing.  It takes concentration.  In these days of ADHD, people scour complicated sources of eastern religions, philosophical concepts, political activism, and even pop culture song lyrics, TV programs and movies for novel ideas as though God no longer knows how to respond to simple prayer.  But, prayer transforms the tiny closet of prayer in a vast arena in which God puts His glory on display.  Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. Daniel 9:3  

Prayer is A Practice 

A secret practice.  Secret prayers resemble beams hidden in the roof.  Covered up by decking and shingles on the outside, and drywall or ceiling tiles on the inside, they do their work quietly, with no fanfare.  When you pray in secret, you exude strength that cannot be seen, or even understood by others.    But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6. Ostentatious praying has no such effect nor does it carry the promise of open reward.   

An ordered spiritual exercise.  In crisis moments, we might pray in a kneejerk fashion, but most of the time, our prayers need to be organized and deliberate.  Jesus said, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10.  Following His guidelines, our prayers need to show reverence, humility and submission.  A haughty, self-centered prayer may as well be air escaping from a balloon.  

An exercise in spiritual power.  The very act of prayer is an admission of belief in the supernatural.  Those who deny the possibility of miracles in the present day have no reason to pray other than as pure ritualism.  But, according to the Scriptures, prayer is an encounter with spiritual forces.  However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:21. Jesus gave credence to spiritual warfare by encouraging us to pray against demonic powers.  Paul admonishes us to do the same. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12. Jude adds: But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.  Jude 1:20.

A bonding with the purposes of God.  In relationship praying, no greater goal exists than to harmonize with the deep longings of the other party.  Jesus reveals His heart’s desire in Luke 10:2:  Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” When you pray in accord with Jesus, you can pray with boldness and confidence.  Practice praying the will of God.  In so doing, you attract His favor and the relationship grows closer.  

An investment into a vocation.  For prayer to be a practice, it must be a repeated activity—consistent, faithful, and focused.  This kind of praying meets the definition of vocation, or calling.  The apostles felt so strongly about this that they appointed deacons to manage the business of the church, enabling them to fulfill their calling.  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Acts 6:4. 

Human Wisdom Can Be Dangerous

(This is the last segment of the chapter on Your Mental Relationship: Jesus as Wisdom.”)

Human Wisdom Can Be Dangerous 

Every gift has a caveat—especially the gift of intelligence.  Humankind succumbs to a particular sin not evident in the animal kingdom—pride.   Thus, our greatest asset can become our most offsetting weakness.  Untempered by God’s Spirit, the mind can lead any one of us down perilous pathways.  The problem is that the basic process of learning needs no an end goal.  You can follow a path to nowhere if you choose.  It is possible to keep walking if the unfolding scenery intrigues you, even though you have no clue where you’re headed, and even if it leads to a cul-de-sac or off a cliff.  Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:7. Learning, therefore, must not be an end in itself.  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21.  

Human wisdom is dangerous when it is godless.  If the world tempts you to learn something that does not have the approval of God, or that is anti-God, it is hazardous to your soul.  Reject it. Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.   Romans 1:21-23. 

Human wisdom is dangerous when it is false. Any teaching that is patently false is dangerous.  Guard against receiving it in theory or in practice.  Remember, the Father of Lies is a spirit.  A lying spirit can attach itself to a teaching and invade the sanctity of your mind, soul and body.  Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:24-25.

Human wisdom is dangerous when it is evil.  Do not mentally entertain anything that has been denounced by God as evil or as an abomination.  To purport to learn evil under the guise of curiosity, respect or “open-mindedness” is foolish. Think of it as driving the getaway car for a bank robber.  You are as guilty as the person who committed the actual crime.  When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. Deuteronomy 18:9. A close relationship with Jesus Christ causes a believer reject at anything that offends the Spirit of God.

Human wisdom is dangerous when it exalts man.  Self-exaltation often happens when a person’s native abilities, most notably intelligence, are superior to others.  But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12.  The spirit that likes to exalt itself has a connection to the spirit of Satan.  For you have said in your heart: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.” Isaiah 14:13-14. True intelligence makes its boast in the Lord.  I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1-3. Relationships change the way we think.  This is why we must send brain power through the filter of our relationship with Jesus Christ.  He continually corrects the course of our thoughts and steers us back to the right path. 

The Mind Is the Battleground  

All spiritual battles are fought, won and/or lost in the space between your ears.  Your mouth cannot speak, eat or drink anything without specific instructions from your brain.  Your hands or feet cannot decide to grasp something or walk somewhere by themselves.  They only work as per the orders given to them by your brain.  Much less obvious, your brain cannot devise, scheme, imagine or daydream without permission from … your brain!  That means that you must surrender your mind to a power stronger and higher than yourself if you are going to win the battle against the flesh.  

The Amplified Bible parses the verses in Romans 12:1-2 in an enlightening way.  I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Romans 12:1-2 (AMP).  That is a tall order, and you cannot achieve it by yourself.  You can only get this done inside the relationship with Jesus Christ!  Therein lies the crux of the whole matter. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Romans 8:7-9.

You would do well to UNDERSTAND THIS PRINCIPLE, because it lies at the heart of entire book you are now reading.  (Sorry for shouting, but this is important!) Any attempt to renew your mind by means of your own will and volition is doomed to failure.  Two reasons.  First, you are asking the culprit (your mind) to control the object (your mind).  It is like asking the proverbial fox to guard the henhouse.  Your mind has neither lasting incentive nor enduring reward to hurt, hinder, censure or restrain itself.  You may start the process, but you immediately run into a level of recalcitrance and rebellion that you never realized existed.  You will expose a raw streak of Adam’s transgression that lies buried in your deepest consciousness.  You will supply all the resistance necessary to impede any move forward.  

Second, through exerting superior will power, you may succeed in reforming yourself.  If you do it by yourself, however, guess who gets the credit?  You!  You will help yourself to any glory and praise for your accomplishments, and, in so doing, you fall into the trap of human pride.  Moreover, the victories won by fleshly effort often do not last, or else a vice in one area gets eclipsed by a vice in some other area.  For example, there are those who have won the battle over obesity, but have been overtaken by vanity or even promiscuity.  Some have quit smoking, but have become addicted to prescription medication or have gained weight.  Satan doesn’t mind if you change one set of handcuffs for another. 

It is only when you are securely wrapped in a meaningful relationship with Jesus that you can renew your mind and stay focused on righteous and wholesome areas of life.  Jesus said it all.  “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing … If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:4-8.  This relationship with Christ is kept alive in the same way every other relationship works.  It takes communication, investing time, understanding, selflessness and surrender.  After a while, you will learn the process, but it never becomes automatic.  Relationships demand attention if they are to survive.

Your Mental Abilities Must Be Anointed 

We have learned that mental acumen can easily become a source of pride and self-adulation.  If you are gifted in intelligence, you will most likely tend to rely on your astuteness to succeed in any endeavor in life.  When you are admonished to give your all to God, your money, your possessions or your time may not be all that is at stake.  You must also sacrifice your abilities to the will of God.  We can learn much from two Bible characters in this regard: Solomon and Paul. 

King Solomon asked for and received wisdom from the Lord.  During his reign, he built an elaborate temple to honor Jehovah.  The Queen of Sheba came to see it.  It was amazing.  And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her. Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 1 Kings 10:4-8

But Solomon, although he received his wisdom from God, he did not keep it anointed.  As a result, he made unbelievably foolish decisions and lost his spiritual relationship.  But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites—from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. 1 Kings 11:1-3. Gifts that get disconnected from their anointing abandon the source of their success.  

The Apostle Paul, on the other hand, was gifted with both intelligence and an unusual attitude of devotion.  He realized, however, that none of this was the source of his strength.  He expressed this in his letter to the Philippians.  “Though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Philippians 3:4-10.  Consequently, God was able to use Paul’s giftedness to bring great gain to the kingdom.  He based this attitude on his revelation “That no flesh should glory in His presence.” 1 Corinthians 1:29.

Dedicate your mental abilities to God, whether they be superior or common.  God will compensate for your lack if you will always give Him the glory. 

Your Mental Relationship: Jesus as Wisdom

(This is the first segment of the chapter on Your Mental Relationship: Jesus as Wisdom, in the book Hand in Hand: Deepening Your Relationship with Jesus Christ.)

The poet, James Weldon Johnson wrote,

“And quicker than God could drop his hand,

Fishes and fowls

And beasts and birds

Swam the rivers and the seas,

Roamed the forests and the woods,

And split the air with their wings.

And God said: ‘That’s good!’”

-God’s Trombones, by James Weldon Johnson.

God equipped non-human creatures of His amazing world to be superior to humans in nearly every way except one: intelligence.  Brain power has not only enabled Adam’s progeny to equal the abilities of fishes and fowls and beasts and birds, we have surpassed them exponentially.  Occasionally, zoologists tout the communication skills of dolphins, or speak glowingly of the use of tools by apes, but no one has ever suggested that animals can rival human intelligence.  David wrote “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” Psalm 139:14. Couple human dexterity and proportional frame with mental acumen, and the dominant race is born. 

If God gave us a brain, He meant for us to reason, analyze, meditate, problem-solve, imagine, contemplate and create.  He did not expect our instincts to stimulate us to action as it does animals, nor to think in pre-programmed patterns as do angels.  God does everything with purpose.  In concert with the theme of this book, then, our ability to think signals God’s intent to enhance our relationship with Him.  He wants humankind to seek Him through cognition and understanding.  “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD.  “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18. How can we reason without intelligence?  How can we contemplate God without the necessary contemplative powers?  Divine omniscience would go totally unappreciated in an inanimate or mindless universe.   

God Challenges Us to Use Our Mind 

Adam’s assignment to keep the Garden of Eden and to name all the beasts of the field required intelligence.  As we shared in chapter six, God must have put Adam through a rigorous educational program to prepare him for the job.  He had to have the mental capacity to do it.  The work assigned to the first human spoke to the immediate need for intelligence, but the larger reason was God’s challenge to all of humankind to use our mind.  This giftedness became instrumental in developing human culture.  Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.” Exodus 31:1-5.  

The structure of the Bible, along with many representative passages, flowed from authors who were intellectual as well as anointed.  The book of Isaiah showcases prophetic literature at its finest, a style that did not detract from the unction of the Holy Spirit, but delivered it in classical form.  For example, consider Isaiah 61:3:

To console those who mourn in Zion,

To give them beauty for ashes,

The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

It is clear, then, that many Bible authors were cerebral, men who were high achievers in educational pursuits.  They dedicated themselves to God, and He used their aptitude for His eternal purposes. 

One of the most beloved stories in the Bible is that of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  These young, Jewish men were captured by the Babylonians and exiled to Babylon primarily because of their unusually high intelligence.  Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. Daniel 1:3-4. The work of these accomplished youths proved that the right use of intelligence allied with the will of God.  Of course, mental prowess can also be hazardous to our spiritual welfare—a problem we will consider shortly—but our intellect is definitely a gift of God.  

God Wants Us to Understand Him 

The popular sentiment among Christians holds that we give Jesus our hearts, not our heads.  Yet, we read this:  Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37. Discipleship must not be a sheer mental exercise, but God does want us to love him with our minds as well as our hearts.  Divine blessings attend the passionate pursuit of God.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD.  Jeremiah 29:12-14. While we may never fully comprehend God, believers can certainly search Him out insofar as our limited minds can stretch.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.  Romans 1:20. 

Two passages in the New Testament directly encourage intelligent scholarship about God.  First, Paul exhorts Timothy to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV).  Study is translated diligence in most other places.  In this instance, the King James translators saw a connotation that suggested the word study.  “Rightly dividing the word of truth” requires brain power in addition to passion and faith.  We must apply ourselves to a careful and persistent search of God’s truths. 

Second, Luke commended the disciples in Berea for their approach to the apostles’ doctrine.  Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.  These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Acts 17:10-11. The closer we follow Christ, the more we desire to know Him intimately.  The relationship shifts our curiosity into high gear.  

Theology, or the study of God, grows out of an intense relationship with Jesus Christ.  Theologians pore over ancient texts, examine sometimes scant evidence, weigh out the slightest nuances and meticulously fuss over the exact wording of their conclusions—all because of their profound respect for God and the Bible.  Their enquiries have help to clarify difficult concepts, and have produced lexicons, analytical word studies, commentaries and Bible encyclopedias.  Critics have cast unfair aspersions on the faith of theologians, as though faith is incompatible with scholarship.   The truth is that scholars’ faith demand answers, and answers call for hard questions.  Their research strengthens our faith. 

God Created Us with the Ability to Learn 

Learning is the act of gaining new knowledge, or of changing existing knowledge into a better or more accurate form.  It also modifies behaviors or skill sets, and requires an entire process we call education.   We learn by exposure to new information, ideas or practices, and then memorizing them or incorporating them into our own behaviors. 

We cite these facts because the ability to learn is a gift of God, even though it is possible to learn false, harmful or sinful things.  The gift of learning does not make God responsible for what we learn.  This is an important distinction because some believe the church should be virtually anti-intellectual.  They reject all learning that is not based on the Bible.  Such a position is untenable on its face, but it is even contradictory to the Scriptures.   The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. Proverbs 15:14. Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12. The Bible also mentions those who have knowledge of the sea, knowledge of crafts and knowledge of the times, and the references are positive in nature.  Moreover, the Apostle Paul was educated in secular schools, and Moses undoubtedly received much Egyptian learning in Pharaoh’s courts.  Their learning enhanced their usefulness in the Kingdom of God.  A carefully managed secular education, therefore, is not necessarily against God. 

Becoming a disciple is a conversion event, but growing in discipleship is a transformational process.  Growth involves learning, which is why Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29.  Jesus, in fact, is called Master and Rabbi, which means teacher.  Teaching assumes that students are capable of learning.  That means that discipleship never ceases.  Regardless of age, experience or position, we must continue to improve our understanding of God, deepen our relationship with God, and become more effective in our service to God.  To learn is to live.