“…And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart…” Revelation 2:23
I’ve said several times, transformation begins with beholding Him.
In the process of seeing Him through the lens of the written word, and what that builds within our imagination, we learn He searches not only hearts but minds as well.
I’ve taken our verse today out of context but the realities of ‘Who He is’ and ‘What He does’ here is capable of standing alone.
The first commandment that Jesus also affirms in the gospels is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength.” Then, your neighbour as yourself.
We focus on loving Him with all our heart and many times overlook the aspect that we are to love Him with all our mind as well. What does that look like? I believe the simplest explanation is in our agreement with what He has/is saying.
The apostle Peter wrote in his first epistle describing Jesus as the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. Jesus as overseer is the one who is looking into us. He supervises and rules. As our Shepherd He leads, feeds and protects. All this through the workings of the Holy Spirit.
We know that we have the written word as our daily bread, and we know that we are to have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying as we diligently search the scriptures. Truth and life are in them, but only as we receive and agree. Numerous times through the New Testament we find words said by Jesus, or in the epistles, written for our well being and life, that still require our agreement.
Agreement; initially, brings adjustment, and then continual realignment.
Romans twelve admonishes us to not allow ourselves to be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Through this process, we are able to test and discern the will of God. Hebrews chapter four tells us the living word is active and able to divide soul and spirit. In others words, it sifts through our mind and divides human reasoning and understanding, while revealing His. Agreeing with Him leads into abundant life.
Our spiritual battle, as 2 Cor. 10 tells us, is not carnal (not mental reasonings) but spiritual (discernment by the Holy Spirit as He reveals truth to our inner man). We are able to destroy strongholds, (the mindsets that have set our boundaries and limitations) and every lie that exalts itself above the knowledge of God as we bring them into alignment with the word of God. I want you to note this battle is all about our mind sets and words.
You can see where we would loose the battle if we did not know what God thought about something. Yet, we are assured by the word that we are capable of holding the mind of Christ and the wisdom of God.
Isaiah 55 reveals that our thoughts are not God’s, in order for us to bring them back to a place of right alignment and agreement with Him.
Each day we hold audience with our Father is a day of searching and aligning, not just our hearts but our minds as well, unto agreement with Him in all matters that pertain to life and godliness.
Jesus did say, if you love me you will keep my commandments and this begins with alignment of heart and agreement of mind in every act of obedience.