I was speaking to a middle aged fellow who had spent a substantial portion of his life smoking illicit drugs and was still continuing the habit. During our conversation he said that all his years of smoking had never adversely affected him. In consideration of his statement; having known him for about 20 years, having seen differences in his manner and disposition from his family members and having observed some of his characteristics that are peculiarly common to some people I know who’ve engaged in illicit drug use, I hold the opinion that his perspective of the effect of these drugs is influenced by his use of them.

The scenario described above, is one which can be similarly paralleled in Christians; the earthly mind can and often does govern the actions and words of Christians without us being aware of the fact, this may be due to long term habits of compromise that I no longer recognise, or it may be due to reduced time reading the Bible or praying, but even with a life of substantial commitment to God, the disciples who daily walked with Christ Jesus occasionally expressed earthly thoughts, such as in Matthew 16:

 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Matthew 16:5-12

I’ve had many occasions of allowing my earthly mind to speak foolishly, or other times when it justifies claiming my rights or wants to teach someone a lesson according to it’s perception of what’s right, and it wants me to pursue these means: In the case of someone “ripping me off” or of someone being the catalyst or an accomplice to me sinning, my earthly mind strongly encourages me to speak in derogatory terms (critical or disrespectful) of them as a means of hoping to raise me in the opinion of others, or as a means of shifting the blame, or as a way of disguising the allowance of corruption in me, even if only in my own mind. The earthly mind is so occupied in self-preservation, self-exaltation, self-satisfaction or even just foolishness, that it doesn’t care if it leaves a trail of debris behind as it pursues it’s own way. I think some of the prominent things it wants to leave behind, are monuments to it’s own perceived achievements, it may even think it can present these “achievements” to God. But the earthly mind doesn’t express the humility, love, patience and righteousness of Christ, which are the characteristics that lead people to Him and which should be the most notable expressions evident to the world in His children.

To God’s glory, He hasn’t left us to be subject to the eternal result of walking in the darkness of the earthly mind’s way. His Words are daily available to clarify “the way” that pleases Him and saves us.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

He tells us to keep our minds focused on Godly things; Christly ways which are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Phil 4:8) and He’s provided “the help” we need to understand His word “…the Spirit of truth … will guide you into all the truth…” John 16:13

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139 23-24

To assist in governing the action of the body, God’s told us to make straight paths for our feet, so that the mind of Christ is the decision maker rather than the earthly mind:

  • Make God’s word the first and last thing your eyes see each day.
  • Start with a prayer before starting breakfast.
  • Apply self control in diet choice.
  • Look the other way rather than allowing the eyes to feed desire.
  • Don’t rush to speak your mind.
  • Don’t commit to any plans without prayer first.
  • Invest time in service to God, this may be as simple as giving a cold glass of water in His name.

APO 19-April-2022