Enemies of the Mind – Part 1

We are studying what the Bible has to say on an issue that affects us all – mental illness. Besides, we are really speaking of how to keep our mind healthy, since the Bible says that transformation begins by renewing our mind:

Ro 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

In addition the Bible warns us:

Ro 1:28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

A mind that is full of sin, that has decided to not retain God’s revelation, is a very unhealthy and sick mind, belonging to the devil himself.

We are going to systematically study what the enemies of the mind are.

These enemies effectively prevent:

1- Renewal of the mind

2- Transformation of ourselves by the Holy Spirit

3- Discernment of God’s will for you, which is your ability to make the right choice for yourself and those around you so that you can make it to Heaven

These enemies will accomplish in you:

1- Conformity to the world and its standards

2- Depravity of the mind – moral corruption; not being able to reason (discern) correctly

3- Thorough searing of your conscience, which will result in apathy and condemnation of your soul forever in the eternal lake of fire

I – Guilt – A Two Edged Sword

1- Guilt - A feeling of shame or regret on account of doing something you know is wrong

2- Can be good or bad – depending on your response

3- Guilt is not only feeling fear or anger because you were caught

4- Guilt is the awareness that there could have been a better choice and you should have really made that choice which was advised to you. It causes regret and a desire to get rid of the burden of the guilt.

5- Guilt is evidence that God exists and that He created a moral standard that is universal. All humans who are reasonable know it is wrong to kill another human and it is not tolerated in any civilization as normal

6- When someone expresses regret about something, he is morally accountable to God and needs forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ blood

a. Other biological forms don’t express guilt. Trees don’t feel guilty for sapping your car nor do dogs feel guilty for stealing or killing other life forms.

b. Children don’t feel remorse or a burden of guilt. That is because they are ignorant of the awareness of right and wrong and the consequences of such. This is why they depend on parental authority for moral guidance.

7- Guilt can be subjective or objective

a. Subjective guilt

i. You feel guilty, but you did not make choices to make you feel that way

ii. Examples: You may have run over somebody with your car accidentally or someone in your family decided to commit a horrible crime.

iii. The actions of others can make you feel guilty, but there is no basis in reality for this guilt you feel

b. Objective guilt – Actual or real guilt

i. Result of violating God’s law

ii. The consequence of wrongdoing

Some biblical examples of real guilt:

Ac 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

Many people felt the pangs of guilt that day when the Gospel was preached for the first time. Peter didn’t tell them to feel guilty; they arrived at that conclusion themselves. They were moved by their desire to be right with God.

There are two responses to real guilt:

1- Worldly response (sorrow)

a. Happens when you are sorry you got caught, but you don’t care to rectify yourself. There is no true repentance

b. Produces a real feeling of shame and guilt and perhaps regret, not because of deep conviction, but because others got to you and saw what you wanted to keep secret

c. Does not desire to change, which is why it leads to death

2- Godly response (sorrow)

a. Produces true repentance because of a desire to be right with God

b. Produces fruit in keeping with the Holy Spirit without excuse

c. Leaves no regret, which promotes a healthy state of mind, ready to continue transformation in Christ

2Co 7:10-11

10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

Use guilt the right way. Satan wants to trap you and burden you with it.

1- Cause you weakness

2- Rob you of your sleep

3- Take away your energy during the day

4- Make you want to feel like dying

God wants you to become holy and for you to use it as an alarm for sin in your life: To convict you unto righteousness.

The cure for guilt is a right relationship with God:

Mt 11:28-30

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Wrong ways to deal with guilt:

1- Not let God remove it! – Not wanting to repent

2- Deny it – Shun your responsibility

3- Classify it as something else – changing “murder” to “abortion”, or “stealing” to “borrowing”

4- Rationalize it – try to justify yourself. (But two wrongs don’t make a right)

5- Conceal it – As long as no one knows, I’m really not guilty (worldly sorrow)

6- Legalize it – Women have the right to abort! Gays can marry if we legalize it!

7- Try to atone for it – I’m a good person, I give to the needy, I help people!