Be Careful What You Let Into Your Mind

Commentary

Many Christians today are not living in freedom, but they are struggling mightily in the bondage of sin. It can indeed be hard to fully shake some of the sinful things that we once loved. I get it. However, there are those who seemly deny themselves very little, instead taking their freedom in Christ as an invitation to satisfy their flesh. When we allow our minds to be influenced by things that we should not be partaking in, then we leave the door wide open to temptation and stumbling.

In this verse, Paul is refuting the claims of the believers who think in this manner. With those in Corinth, he quoted their words and then he countered back. The lesson to be learned is that even though you are forgiven in Christ Jesus of all sins, past, present, and future, it’s not an excuse to continue doing things that you ought not be doing. Peter proclaimed that we are to keep our minds ready for action. This is to be sober-minded, to be guarding our minds from the filth of this world.

Commentary

Jesus proclaimed that anyone who wants to be His disciple must deny themselves daily. That is not easy to do; our flesh still desires many of those things that we were once so enthralled by. Like an addict coming off of their addiction, there are some difficult times of temptation and stumbling. But I can tell you that we are most often our own worst enemy with the things that we allow our eyes to see and our ears to hear.

There is an extreme that a person can take this to, to a point of legalism, where they deem all things bad. But consider this: would listening to music with bad language, sexual innuendos, or hateful messages be something that aids your walk with Jesus? What about the TV shows, movies, games you watch and play? Will watching horror films or adult content bring you closer to the Lord?

Don’t assume that the bad influences are strictly limited to secular content. Really consider the teachers, pastors, and Christian authors and speakers whose content you consume also. It’s definitely worthwhile to evaluate the things you watch, listen to, and read. Take some time today to audit what you allow into your mind and try to evaluate what effect those things have on you and your walk with Christ. Seek the Lord for His discernment and wisdom.

Commentary

Contrary to the worldly message that is streaming more and more from “pulpits” in American “churches”, the born-again follower of Christ is a new creation. There must be a visible life change in the person who indeed has the Holy Spirit indwelling them. I understand that we’re not always going to do what is pleasing to God; I struggle with that myself. But, we must focus our hearts and minds on Heaven and no longer on this world.

I say this so often, and it can never be overstated. You and I must be in God’s Word daily, soaking it in and living it. There are too many things in this world that will dull the mind and will do so quickly if you’re not careful. I came across an image on the internet the other day. I’m not sure who the author is, but the quote is so spot on. It said, “if we are not students of the Word, we are in danger of being led by what sounds ‘good’, instead of what is Biblical”.

God’s Word is a vital component in your sanctification process as a new creation in Christ Jesus. It would be wise to reduce the entertainment and activities that are not edifying and increase time in the Word.

Commentary

The Lord is doing His renewal work in your inner man, but it’s your obedience to living a holy life for Him that allows that work to take hold in a visible way in your life. If you’re spending much of your time giving into the desires of your flesh, then you’re hindering the outward effect of the change going on inside of you, dimming your witness for Christ.

Walking in the Spirit is what Jesus taught in Luke 9:23, which is to deny oneself their fleshly desires and to follow after God’s will, to allow the Spirit of God to take influence over your life. Paul writes in this passage that when you are walking in the Holy Spirit, you will not succumb to the desires of your flesh. It’s God’s Spirit that is inside you; He has not only sealed you for eternity, but the Holy Spirit is working in you to scrub your life — to prepare you for eternity.

Commentary

Understand that you don’t need to walk through life avoiding unbelievers and being legalistic about how you live. But please be wise. The Holy Spirit helps give us God’s wisdom. He expects that you will use that wisdom when making choices about how you spend your time and the resources He has given you. Spending too much time in worldly things will result in stagnation in your walk with Jesus. Allowing the influence of ungodly music, movies, activities, and entertainment will only keep the door that much more open to temptation. You wouldn’t keep your car door open while you’re inside the store, why would you keep your mind open to worldly influences while you walk with Jesus?