EVIDENCE OF A SPIRITUAL MIND

John Owen (1616-1683)

There can be no greater evidence of a renewed heart and mind than a change in the habit and stream of our thoughts. The more our thoughts flow in a new spiritual channel from a new spiritual source wrought in us, the more evidence we have that we are spiritually minded….

How awesome... are God’s words [in Genesis 6:5]: the thoughts of men’s hearts are “only evil continually” ... The minds and hearts of men are continually minting and coining new thoughts and imaginations. As the streams of a mighty river run into the ocean, so the thoughts of the natural man run through self into hell... This mighty flow of thoughts must be diverted into new channels. New aims, goals, and objects must be presented to the mind. When these aims and objects are spiritual, then our minds will be spiritual.

Paul counsels Christians not to be “drunk with wine” but to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18-19)... They must so seek to be under the influence of the Spirit that their hearts and minds are filled with spiritual thoughts. And when their hearts and minds are filled with such thoughts, then they must be expressed in “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,” making melody in their hearts to the Lord (Eph 5:19)...

It is good that we examine ourselves to see how spiritually minded we are.

Consider how much time you spend thinking about spiritual things compared to how much time you spend thinking about other things. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mat 6:21)...

We say we are bound for heaven, immortality, and glory. But do we really desire these things if our thoughts are wholly taken up with the trifles of this world, with only occasional thoughts of heaven? (Mat 6:31, 33-34).

All our worldly worries mainly revolve around three things: food, drink, and clothes. About these things Christ forbids us to take thought. He does not forbid us ever to think about these things, but that we should not allow our minds to be filled with anxiety and worry about them, and that we should not allow our minds to be wholly taken up with them. Worry and anxiety about these things show lack of faith in our heavenly Father’s care and in the providence of God. Christ teaches us that our chief concern should be to “seek…first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Mat 6:33).

Many complain that when they think of spiritual things, worldly thoughts intrude. Well then, when you think of worldly things, do spiritual things intrude? If they do, then there is evidence that you are spiritually minded...

Consider whether spiritual thoughts constantly take first place when the mind is free to think as it pleases. There are times when men retire into their own thoughts. A man is foolish who is so busy he has no time to consider the state of his own house and family. No less foolish is the man who spends all his time thinking about other things and never about the state of his own soul. But it is difficult to completely avoid being alone with one’s thoughts, though the unspiritual man does his best.

If we are spiritually minded, if thoughts of spiritual things abound in us, they will naturally claim these times as their own (Psa 16:7-8; 92:2; Deu 6:7). But if these times are given to other things, then it is clear that we do not think spiritual thoughts to be all that important.

If we do not give these times to meditation of spiritual things, then vain thoughts will begin to haunt our minds and plead to be entertained. These precious moments, which could greatly influence our souls to life and peace, if not redeemed, will bring trouble, sorrow, anxiety, and confusion. If we cannot give God our spare time as well as those special times we have dedicated to Him, it is clear that we do not think that fellowship with Him is a thing to be greatly desired.

What do you think about when you are in bed, either settling down to sleep or waking up? There are those who “work evil upon their beds!” (Mic 2:1). And there are those who “sing aloud upon their beds.” The high praises of God are in their mouths (Psa 149:5-6). There are those who devise mischief on their beds (Psa 36:4). And there are those who commune with their hearts and remember God and meditate on Him on their beds (Psa 4:4; 63:6). If we would have a claim to spiritual mindedness, we must give these special times to spiritual thoughts and meditations.

Consider whether we are disappointed if, for one reason or another, we have not been able to use these times for spiritual meditation. A carnal, unregenerate mind is not at all worried if it never has time for spiritual thoughts. But a truly spiritually minded soul will mourn when it misses an opportunity for spiritual meditation and is determined to be more watchful in the future. Filled with regret, the soul thinks, “How little I have been with Christ today! How much time has passed without a thought of Him! How foolish I was to neglect the opportunities I had! What assurance, what joy, what readiness for the cross or for heaven I might have had if I had only made use of these times!” So, one great evidence of spiritual mindedness is that our minds abound with spiritual thoughts.