Different Types of Minds

Man’s mind and heart has been the target of Satan’s attack since the beginning of time.  After the fall, the human mind was viciously assaulted by the hordes of hell.  The unregenerate mind is under the power of the dark kingdom of Satan (Eph. 1).  The mind of the believer is still very vulnerable to the fiery darts of Satan (Eph. 6:10-18) and can fall under oppression (I Pet. 5:8).  The believer must constantly renew his/her mind with the Word of God (Rom. 12:2), through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We notice different kinds of minds in Scripture.  Let’s look at them together and take a moment of meditation.  Think about where you are in the following outline.  Where is your mind?

The Christian’s greatest enemy is NOT the devil.  It is our unrenewed minds.  Our minds can be our ally or our greatest enemy.  As we will see in this outline, Satan uses the believer’s unrenewed mind.  The following is a compilation of scriptures on the separate topics.  They are excellent references.  Please take time to look them up.

I. The UNREGENERATE MIND is:
     A. Vain, darkened (Rom. 1:21)
     B. Reprobate (Rom. 1:28)
     C. Under Satan’s Control (Eph. 2:1-3)
     D. An enemy to God (Eph. 2:3)

II. The MIND OF THE BELIEVER (two kinds)
     A. CARNAL
(I Cor. 3:3)  “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”  Carnal:  [4559. Sarkikos, sar-kee-kos’; from G4561; pertaining to flesh, i.e. (by extens.) bodily, temporal, or (by impl.) animal, unregenerate:--carnal, fleshly]. The carnal mind is an unrenewed mind, not subject to exchanged life truths. 

Some Manifestations of the Carnal Mind:
a. A religious mind – Rom. 14&15
b. A condemned mind – Rom. 7:20-8:2
c. A confused mind – II Tim. 1
d. A suspicious mind – Rom. 14:1 –15:1-6
e. An anxious mind – Phil 4:6
f. A doubting mind – James 1:6 example: Thomas
g. A worldly mind – Rom. 12:2
h. An exaggerating mind – II Cor. 10:3-6 example: The Hebrews magnified their giants and lost their rest.
                2. A carnal mind gives place to the devil – Eph. 4 
                3. A defeated mind – Heb. 12:3; A tormented mind (demonically oppressed). Evidences of the tormented mind are compulsiveness or erratic behavior patterns.  Always beware of strong, fast impressions to do or say something!

     B. SPIRITUAL (a sanctified and spiritual mind)
     (I Cor. 2:15)  “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” 
     spiritual: [4152. Pneumatikos, pnyoo-mat-ik-os’: from G4151; non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (demonically) a spirit (concr.) or divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious:--  spiritual. Comp. G5591].    

Characteristics of a spiritual mind
a. A loving mind – I Cor. 13: “ love thinks no evil…”
b. A peaceful mind – Isa. 26:3,4
c. A humble mind – II Tim. 1:7; James 1:6-8
d. A sound mind – II Tim. 1:7; James 1:6-8
e. An enduring mind – Heb. 13:3
f. A controlled mind – Phil. 4:4-9

How to have a spiritual mind of Peace and at Rest
a. By Letting – Phil. 2:5-8. This has to do with our attitude and modus operandi of thinking patterns. Paul says mimic Jesus in the way he thought.
b. By Laboring – Heb. 4:12,13 
We labor by:
1). By catching thoughts and analyzing them in light of the word.
2). By casting down – II Cor. 10:3-6
3). By renewing our thought patterns– Rom. 12:2
4). By renewing the “spirit of our minds”- Eph
5). By resisting – I Pet. 5:8,9; James 4:7,8
6). By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving- Phil. 4: 4
7). By rejoicing, fastening and cementing – Phil. 4:4-9 the Greek word for think here is: cementing, rooting, fixing…abiding in good thoughts.

Let’s end this meditation (outline) by obeying Philippians 4 and thinking upon those things which are good, lovely, good report… the sunshine, the flowers, the special friends, the tender mercies of God in our lives, the unconditional love of our Heavenly Father, our Paraclete, the Holy Spirit and our guardian angels.