| The Christian Life | May 1940 |
What Constitutes Spiritual Mindedness?
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”—Romans 8:6
THE PRINCIPAL object of all Christian activity is the development of the New Creature along the lines of the fruits and graces of the Holy Spirit. When it is borne in mind that we are only embryo New Creatures as yet, we can the more readily see the value, yea, the necessity, of continuing to grow in the things of the Spirit. There is a philosophy in the growth and development of character, somewhat similar to the development of vegetable and plant life. If left to itself, a tree generally goes to wood and eventual decay, and with scant fruitage. None the less rigid are the operations of moral law. During the days of the Schoolmen, when the various Christian doctrines were being discussed with a good deal of hair-splitting, there arose again a group of Christians who, tired of the seemingly endless arguments, swung to the other extreme and insisted that the main object of Christian endeavor was the pursuit of the contemplative life. The movement grew rapidly both within and without the Roman Catholic Church, and the idea permeates Christendom even to the present time. However, the rise of the movement was not due to deeper spirituality, but it was simply a wave of reaction to the intellectualism of the times.
During the past few centuries spiritual values have undergone a change due to the spread of the idea that the true spiritual life is evident in those who are “yielded up to the Holy Spirit.” In the days of the Harvest, the Lord graciously clarified the Gospel message once again, and made it very plain what constituted spiritual values and attainments. Let us note the orderly presentations of the apostles on this subject.
In I John 3:9 we read that the New Creature is begotten of God; is not a sinner, and retains the seed of the truth in him. Here we are reminded that the New Creature is an actuality, being begotten of God through the Holy Spirit quickening the individual’s consecrated faith. The “seed” here mentioned by St. John, is the spirit of the truth which abides within the individual, and is a constant means of restraint against sin. Evidently the apostle does not mean to say that the New Creature never sins, because such a statement is not borne out by the facts. The same apostle speaks of our having an Advocate with the Father in the event that we need sins forgiven. (I John 2:1) The thought, therefore, is that if any one should sin willfully, such an act would signify the death of the New Creature through the old will once again asserting itself.
The begetting of the New Creature is the work of our Heavenly Father, performed by the Holy Spirit, through the agency of the Word of Truth. Such a New Creature will not entertain the suggestion of sin for a moment, being fortified in this attitude by the spirit of the truth abiding in him. Thus, the fact of his following out the Heavenly Father’s counsels, and abstaining from the very appearance of evil, gives such an one the assurance that he is begotten of God.
Another line of thought is presented by St. Paul in I Corinthians 9:26 where he gives two illustrations relating to the attainment of God’s workmanship in us. He first speaks of the race course, saying, “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly.” In running a race, as we know, there are necessary rules and regulations to be observed in order for the judges to be able to announce the winner. There are certain things to be performed by the contestants in a race besides merely entering it. First, they must be eligible; next, they must know the race course; again, they must know in which direction to run, and what obstacles there are to be overcome and finally, what is the prize offered.
St. Paul tells us he was fully informed regarding this race, and there was no uncertainty about his activity. He had a definite course in mind, and knew the direction he should run, and the adversaries who would endeavor to impede his progress.
Then the apostle alludes to the boxing arena, and tells us: “So fight I, not as one that beateth the air.” Again the lesson of accurate knowledge is enforced, inasmuch as a boxer is trained in the knowledge of anatomy and just where to place the knock-out blow. If a boxer should enter the ring, and simply “beat the air,” then he would soon become winded and his opponent would quickly finish him off.
In similar manner, if the New Creature fights the world, the flesh, and the devil by merely mentally wishing to be an overcomer, then he is merely “beating the air,” living in a castle of dreams. There has to be clear information on how to keep the “old man under,” and there must be a decisive effort to strike the knock-out blow which would bring the victory.
In the 27th verse the apostle concludes that the only way for him to be an overcomer would be by keeping his body under subjection to the New Creature that he might save himself as well as those that heard him. Thus far we have learned that the New Creature must exist, and that it requires to be fully instructed in the requirements of this high-calling in order to be hopeful of finally obtaining the crown of life.
Another line of experience in the life of the New Creature is mentioned by St. James (1:13,14), where he discusses temptation. He has been showing the contrast between a Christian with a single purpose in life, and one who is double-minded. The Heavenly Father presents tests to all for their improvement and growth in grace. These are not temptations, says the apostle, because our Father would not stoop to make evil appear good, and good appear evil. Such a method is the one adopted by the adversary in his effort to regain control over us.
On the contrary, the apostle intimates that temptations arise within our own mind through evil desire hibernating therein. That is to say, when the old will is permitted a measure of activity, manifest when we crave some joy or thing forbidden to us as New Creatures, then we are allowing ourselves to be led away, or enticed, with evil desires. When such a thing happens, the apostle concludes, do not hastily infer that God is tempting you. Rather search your own heart to see if your temptations are not rather due to your own will being permitted to rise.
Careful examination shows that temptation begins in the mind, and our Heavenly Father does not prevent such things arising there. In the text before us, the apostle expressly states that temptations arise in our own minds through the earthly mind being permitted to re-assert itself, and for our good the Heavenly Father permits the manifestation in order that we might gain the benefit therefrom and thus be fortified for succeeding experiences.
The New Creature, then, is to grow stronger each year and thus gain the mastery over the uprisings of the old mind or will, finally reaching a maturity in which every thought is brought into subjection to the mind of Christ. Such a condition would not be possible were God to prevent all temptations from reaching us, for without them we, as New Creatures, would be immature. Just as soon as we find desires for forbidden things arising in our minds, we should flee to the Throne of Grace where a gracious Father will hear and answer our urgent appeal for aid. But if we lean to our own understanding, we may certainly know the feeling of helplessness and despair.
As an illustration of true character building we turn to Luke 6:47-49 where the Lord speaks of a man who built a house, but first digging deep in the earth so that he might build it on a rock foundation. The result was that when great storms arose, the house was able to stand because of its solid foundation.
From this simple illustration of careful building, we have confirmation of matters already discussed in this article. Next to selecting an appropriate site, comes the foundation of the house. And so, as soon as one is convicted of sin and been properly directed to the Ransom, the question of character building arises. The first essential is to recognize original sin, and how Jesus became a Ransom. Then with the doctrine of the ransom clearly in mind, all the other features of the Divine Plan tie in together. In all subsequent discussions of the Bible, the conclusions can only be accepted if they are in line with the Ransom. The neglect of this simple fact will bring chaos and distortion with respect to God’s plan, as can be seen in our day.
The Master’s illustration also brings to our attention the fact that the Ransom is not a superficial truth, but one only obtainable after digging down deep. The pity is that some of the Lord’s people have permitted the debris of centuries to cover over this beautiful and simple foundation fact. One, however, who painstakingly has dug down to the Rock will not be easily moved away from the hope of the Gospel. Where one has had to labor diligently for all he knows of the Lord’s Word, such an one will not surrender lightly the truths so laboriously obtained.
But now there is the other man who heard the words of the Lord but did not practice them. Jesus likens him to a house-builder who, in selecting a site for his house, makes no provision for a foundation. He builds upon the sand and the first real storm sweeps his house away.
Thus it is with those who are careless or indifferent builders of character. They are intent on making the outside of the house look modern and soundly built., while it rests on the shifting sands of time, and is at the mercy of wind and wave. Intelligent faith makes for a firm faith. Those who are unlearned in the Scriptures are apt to be unstable, for that believer who has no intelligent reason for his faith cannot be well grounded in the faith. He cannot be sure that he may not some day lose his faith altogether.
The sponge absorbs readily, but it also gives out readily under a slight pressure. Some Christians, too, seem to absorb almost any doctrines that may chance to come along their way, but are likely also, when under pressure, to give up and, in turn, absorb something else entirely different, believing for the time almost anything that others about them, believe. These are the ones building merely on the surface and not paying attention to the need for anchorage on the Rock foundation.
But, some may say, how about those who lack learning? or have no time for learning? or lack the ability to learn? Can the Lord hold such responsible for not knowing something it is impossible for them to grasp? God has arranged it so that some can learn His Plan, and the requirements of the high-calling, by the close study of the truth, while others are brought to a realization of them by first having certain trying experiences. These latter will be found just as firmly in “the faith” and just as rich in service as the former. The assertion that knowledge is a matter of little importance as compared with the cultivation of the Christian spirit is merely an effort to cover mental laziness—an affliction quite common in the world today—or else to hide one’s own lack of knowledge and stamina in the truth.
From these various illustrations we can readily comprehend our text—“to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” We can see that the apostle is telling us of the grave possibility that, unless we maintain constant vigilance, the carnal mind may gain the ascendancy and thus ultimately result in the death of the New Creature. In Judas we have a case in point. He was a man of intelligence and engaged in business, quick to see possibilities. When, however, the Lord failed (as Judas apparently saw it) to take advantage of the enthusiasm of the people and proclaim Himself their King, then he gave way to the special temptation which assails business men—the greed for gain, or for that which brings so-called success—pride, ambition, self-assurance. All this undermined his devotion to the Lord and the great Kingdom which He represented. The “love of money” is the dry-rot which does so much harm in these days to the building of a proper and substantial faith structure and which is the great temptation of so many formally good people, yet lacking zeal for the Master and His service, and who would discourage such zeal in others. Some seem of the opinion that the best state for the Lord’s people to be in is one of dull routine in the practice of whatever is accepted as the correct thing, and that will make no one uncomfortable.
But there is the brighter side: “to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” And how well this fits the experience of the true Christian! If we find our hearts and lives filled with peace—“the peace of God”—and if we feel the pulsating power of the new life within us daily, then we may know surely that we are spiritually minded and can rejoice in hope of the glory of God. This was one of the prominent features of the Harvest work that demonstrated how far the Truth was in advance of nominal Christendom. What a thrill was ours as we then noted, and continued to note, the growth and development of the New Creature. And what further proof of sonship do we need than the experience of “joy and peace in believing.” The Christian life is one of trial, and the unity of the “fellow-heirs of salvation” will be in that one spirit into which they have been baptized. How precious this relationship! Let us prize it more and more and let us value the message of the Truth given to us by our present Lord as our heritage, and may the Lord grant that we may be found faithful even unto death.