We hear, “The mind is a terrible thing to waste.” We hear that we only use ten percent of our brain power. Buy these brain supplements and improve your brain power. Activate the other ninety percent. You will be like Sherlock Holmes. “Contrary to the 10 percent myth, scientists have proven that every part of the brain is integral for our daily functioning, thanks to brain imaging techniques like positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging. Research has yet to find a brain area that is completely inactive. Even studies that measure activity at the level of single neurons have not revealed any inactive areas of the brain. -Thought company.com. How wonderful and how beautiful is the creation of man.
Today I want to talk about a different mind found in the Word of God., “The mind” of the Spirit” We find this in Romans 8:26-27 (KJV)-26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. The Greek Word is phronēma. It means the seat of reflective consciousness, comprising the faculties of perception and understanding, and those of feeling, judging, and determining, to think, to have a mindset. The tendency or inclination of the mind, its bent. It includes the act of understanding and of the will. Vines and Complete Word Study Dictionary, The – New Testament. The Spirit is a reference to the Holy Spirit. It is not a force or influence but the third person of the God-head. The Holy Spirit has a mind. This third person of the Trinity has perceptions, understanding, and inclinations. The Holy Spirit has a will and is bent toward revealing Christ and new creation realities. He never speaks of Himself but only of Christ ( John 16:13 ). The Holy Spirit can be grieved or saddened. He has feelings. Ephesians 4:30 (KJV)-30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
In Romans 8, this phrase, the mind of the Spirit in context is talking about prayer. It talks about intercession and mediation. Apostle Paul brings out the fact of our weaknesses and our inabilities when it comes to our prayer life. Many times we don’t know what to pray or how to pray. Whether it is for ourselves or someone else. The Holy Spirit helps us. He takes a hold together with us. He doesn’t do our praying for us. He aids us in our praying. The Holy Spirit is our helper. He knows what is in our hearts and spirit. He comes alongside us as the Spirit of grace to empower us ( John 14:16 ). The mind of the Spirit knows this. Another thing, In old English, we would say, ” I have a mind to do this certain thing.” Even within our weaknesses, we have a Helper who lives inside us. He is bent on heavenly things and has a mind to help us. At times the mind of the Spirit puts something or someone in our consciousness to pray and intercede for. That shows us His care for people and our situations in life. Another point in context is the redemption of our bodies. The Church was facing tremendous persecution. Their lives could end at any moment. Would they lose the hope of the Resurrection? The Holy Spirit maintains this hope that they will get a glorified body at some point in the future. The same is true for us. We are not sure how to pray, to express all that we are feeling in difficult moments but the mind of the Spirit who searches our heart knows just how and what we need to get us through. He helps us to express all that is going on inside of us to our Father in heaven. The intercessory groaning of the Holy Spirit.
An Old Testament example would be Hannah. 1 Samuel 1:13-15 (KJV)-13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. You see Hannah was barren and wanted a child, which later she would conceive and dedicate Samuel to the service of the Lord in the temple. She was so overwhelmed with feelings and emotions it was hard for her to put it into words. The priest Eli thought she was drunk. Prayer is like that sometimes. It is a groan in our spirit. We can’t express it in words. Thank God for the Holy Spirit to aid us and give birth to what we are feeling and experiencing, especially when we are facing something difficult and life-altering. The Holy Spirit knows and helps us to fulfill the will of God for our lives. He gives us wisdom when facing persecution and trials. He ministers and brings to our remembrance the Word of God to lead and guide us (John 14:26 ).
The mind of the Spirit is never clouded, cluttered, or confused. There is no confusion in the God-head. They function perfectly together. The Holy Spirit is always following truth and agrees with the will and purpose of God. Which is always good, acceptable, and perfect. The mind of the Spirit has a mindset of the Grace of God. The Holy Spirit always ministers the kindness of God, the love and grace of God towards us twenty-four-seven. He never ministers condemnation to us. He never convicts us of our sins. Our conscience does that. The Holy Spirit always leads us back to the open arms of our Father. The mind of the Spirit is all-knowing. Past, present, and future. He knows everything about our lives. The good, bad, and the ugly. That is why He is our helper. He can lead us in truth, direct us, and at times show us things to come (John 16:13 ). It is not based on our performance but based on the goodness and grace of God. He will never say to,”You better get right if you want my help.”
The mind of the Spirit needs no supplements. He is God. We don’t have to settle for only ten percent but we have a hundred percent of the whole counsel of God available to us. We will not need scientific imaging to see that the mind of the Spirit is working on our behalf. We believe by faith. Let us not waste time but develop our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Learning to be quiet, to listen, and to obey His promptings. Interestingly, the Bible says we have the mind of Christ. The Holy Spirit reveals the thoughts and purposes of Christ. In Christ, we live, move, and have our being (Acts 17:28 ). The mind of the Spirit is always directing us into Christ-likeness. He is always guiding us into truth. This is walking in the Spirit.
No matter what you’re going through and when you don’t know how to pray ask the Holy Spirit to help you ( John 14:16-18 ). He will not leave you comfortless. The Greek Word is where we get the word orphan. You won’t be without a parent, you won’t be fatherless and you won’t be destitute or helpless. You no longer have to feel lonely, beg, and be without. You are a son and daughter of God. You have a Father who cares and loves you. He will never leave you or forsake you. He has given you the Helper, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is your advocate, your counselor, one who is standing with you. He abides within you. This is the Spirit of grace in operation in a Born Again believer.
One final thought. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and our inabilities. At times we can’t express ourselves in English and that is why praying in the Holy Spirit is so beneficial. 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (NKJV)-14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Also in 1 Corinthians 14:2 (NKJV)-2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. ( divine secrets or truths). I think about the mysteries of life, the things that we don’t understand, and that praying in the Holy Spirit can bring comfort, lift a heavy burden, and bring peace that passes all understanding. It can bring truth and wisdom into our everyday lives, even in hard times. There will be no confusion but clarity. That is what the mind of the Spirit wants for you and “You are always on His mind”
In Christ’s love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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