Beware of ‘mind shafts!’

February 3, 2009 Matthew Keedy Clifton Christian Growth

The most dangerous place in the world is a mine shaft. At least according to television. As my daughters and I watched an old Hardy Boys episode the other day, I began to think about the number of shows I have seen in my lifetime where the hero either falls down a mine shaft, or has to rescue some who has fallen down a mine shaft. From The Andy Griffith Show, to Lassie, to modern shows such as Stargate Atlantis, the idea that mine shafts are continually swallowing people up seems to never die. I have not seen any statistics, but I think it is safe to say that the number of people actually falling into mine shafts is greatly exaggerated by the tube.

However, there is a place here on earth that is far more dangerous, and claims the lives of millions each day. Spiritual lives, that is. And that place is called the mind shaft. You see, a mind shaft is a mental hole our brains can fall into and get lost. When our minds are consumed inside these mind shafts, our spirits suffer. Three of these mind shafts are carnality, human philosophy, and anxiety.

The Mind Shaft of Carnality

In Romans 8:5-7, Paul describes the danger of being “carnally minded.” Verse 5 tells us that to “live according to the flesh” is to be an enemy of God. The next verse shows that Paul equates living according to the flesh with being “carnally minded.” To be carnally minded, he says, is death. To clarify what it means to be carnally minded, or to walk after the flesh, we can simply read Galatians 5:19-21 to see what Paul terms “works of the flesh.”

The Corinthians were being carnally minded when they practiced division over certain preachers. Paul discusses this in 1 Corinthians 1:10 and 1 Corinthians 3:1-4. There are some who have even gone so far as to become enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, who have set their minds on earthly things (Phil. 3:18-19). We must be careful not to fall into this mind shaft!

The Mind Shaft of Human Philosophy

Paul was afraid for the Colossians. His fear was that they might be cheated our of the faith by those bringing “philosophy and empty deceit” (Col. 2:6-8). Such philosophies are well in line with what Paul called the “futility of their minds” that the Gentiles once walked in (Ephesians 4:17). This fultility was like in the worship of idols, instead of the one true God. When we place an emphasis on human philosophy over the word of God, we are in danger of falling into the mind shaft. Relying on such human wisdom would be futile!

The Mind Shaft of Anxiety

How many times have we fallen down the mind shaft of worry and anxiety? Jesus tells us frequently not to worry about worldly things (Matt. 6:25-34, Luke 12:29). God knows what we need, and He will not let us down.

Instead of worrying about things, being tempted by human philosophy, or falling prey to carnality, the Bible gives us some solid advice on how to stay out of those mind shafts.

Pray away from anxiety

To stay out of the mind shaft of anxiety, we must pray! In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul writes:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

With prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, we are to let our requests be made known to our Father. If we do this, Paul says, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds! The peace of God will keep us out of those mind shafts.

Keep yourselves from idols

John’s final words in his first epistle are, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). How do we keep ourselves from falling into the mind shaft of idolatrous thoughts and actions? One useful thought is to put Paul’s admonition in Romans 12:1-2 to work in our lives:

“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. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

First, we have to put ourselves into action by presenting our bodies as living sacrifices. This means keeping ourselves from the ways of the world. In Paul’s teaching, this is “reasonable” for us to want to do, since Christ gave His life for us on the cross. Second, Paul says we must not conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. So often today we see brothers and sisters conforming to the world, instead of being transformed by the renewing of our minds. Getting into God’s word will transform our minds. Rely on God’s wisdom, not man’s, and you will be changed into what God desires, and you will stay out of those mind shafts!

Make carnality a casualty

Romans 8:13 says that if we live according to the flesh, we will die. The alternative is to put to death the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit! If we want to put carnality to death, we have to start by being born again. Jesus says unless you be born again, you cannot see the kingdom of heaven (John 3:5). The way this rebirth happens is by taking heed to the Word of God (Rom. 10:17, 1 Peter 1:22-25) and what it teaches about the Christ. Jesus says that we must believe He is the Messiah (John 8:24), the Son of the Living God (Matt. 16:15-19). If we believe this, we must confess Him openly (Matt. 10:32-33, Romans 10:9-10) and repent of living sinful lives (Acts 17:30-31), and be baptized in His name of the remission of sins (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38). Paul says this new life begins after having been baptized (Rom. 6:3-8), and we then are no longer slaves to sin (Rom. 6:16-18).

If you have been born again, then you must continue to grow in order to stay out of the mind shaft of carnality. Practice the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). Keep your mind on heavenly things (Col. 2:3). Be humble (Rom. 12:16, Phil. 2:3) and be united (1 Corinthians 1:10, Romans 15:5-6, Phil. 1:27).

Stand fast in the faith, and stay away from mind shafts!

prayer, Salvation,