Sometimes it is hard to see ourselves clearly. Although what we allow to fill our minds does affect us, some people will claim, "I'm strong enough to handle anything which would adversely affect me. I'm in control." Perhaps the following short fictitious story can serve as a springboard from which we can gain a better appreciation of the seriousness of the verses which will be examined below. For very good reason, the scriptures have a lot to say about our minds and properly training them.
Perhaps one of the most interesting aliens of that imaginary planet Elpessoa, is the entende because it serves as a metaphor for our own human lives. Sure the entende is one of the most capable and conversational creatures of Elpessoa, but it is also a victim of its own cocoon. As tragic as this may sound, this is merely the nature of the beast. To really understand the entende, it is necessary to comprehend the function and nature of its cocoon.First, this alien has the amazing capability of producing any type of cocoon fiber that it desires. Gold, hope, silk, glass, love, stone, mud, trash, sarcasm and despair are just a few of the many possible types of cocoon fibers. These fibers are layered one upon another until they eventually create a solid encasing cocoon. Although situational circumstances of the environment might suggest a particular type of fiber, in the end it is the entende that decides which type of fiber it will produce.
Second, this cocoon then functions as a translator or filter by which the imprisoned entende will interpret all of the events, words, moments of silence, actions of others, etc. As comical as it may seem, the entende then believes that what it understands to be true is actually the way things are!
If an entende has spun noble fibers such as purity, faith, hope and love, then as an adult it will correspondingly interpret its world through this filter. Where it encounters problems, such an entende will generally seek to help and be a blessing to others.
However, if it has chosen to dwell within sarcasm, trash, impurity, mistrust, or other ignoble fibers, then it will correspondingly be pessimistic about its world, frequently experience poor relationships and communication, hardly ever be happy and quite predictably be a contributor to various types of societal and relationship problems. Although it does not realize it, the way that the entende perceives its world is quite literally the result of its own choosing.
Are people like entendes? Consider the truth of the principle which Paul expressed in Titus 1:15.
"All things are pure to those who are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe nothing is pure, rather both their their minds and their consciences are defiled."
Not only is one's perception influenced by who one has allowed oneself to become, but Jesus warns us that those values which we focus upon will even determine what fills our being.
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is sincere, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" Matthew 6:22-23
The New Testament suggests that a Christian should live as one: who is wise in regard to what is good but innocent concerning what is evil. (Romans 16:19) and whose minds should dwell upon whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:4-8).
But is this not merely a "Pollyanna" self-deception in a vicious reality? No, it is not. Although we live in a world dominated by sin and its effects, God has ushered in a new reality through Christ in which evil has truly been defeated. Those in Christ Jesus have been made to be new creatures which serve God in holiness and righteousness. There is no need for these who have been made new in Christ to focus and dwell upon the evil they have experienced in this life, nor to flog themselves for their past sins which have been forgiven. Instead, the Christian has been liberated from the shackles of sin and death to soar in confident expectation of what God has promised to those who love Jesus' appearing. Sure, evil and injustice do still exist in this world, but the Christian knows to whom he or she belongs and what is awaiting him or her. He and she also knows the purpose of their life in serving their Master. That purpose does not include looking back over one's shoulders to meditate on prior mistakes. It is this understanding of what God has achieved through Christ which makes the Christian response of training one's mind in the way scripture describes as being a responsible and appropriate response to a world filled with evil.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 1999
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