How do humans deal with being wrong? It has become customary to deny or rationalize our opinions, regardless of the facts. There is a lack of self-esteem and excessive pride that breeds self-deception, that one is right and another wrong. Let’s face reality – humankind is a mess! Humans do not rule the universe and cannot do what they please without consequences. History shows that the end of every successful civilization begins when humans “believe [they are] responsible for [their] success and prosperity and begin to worship [themselves] and rebel against the understandings and practices that allowed [them], under God, to be successful in the first place.”1 It happens when the soul is lost, blinded from self-introspection, and bankrupt of ethical thinking.
Spiritual formation is an answer to the mess mankind is in; it is a path for the ruined soul. As long as man remains apart from God, who is in charge of the universe, evil will continue to flourish in the human heart and man will continue to rationalize his life. Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Communion of Saints, describes this current state: “Whereas the primal relationship of man to man is a giving one, in the state of sin, it is purely demanding. Every man exists in a state of complete voluntary isolation; each man lives his own life, instead of all living the same God-life.” The way out of denial and rationalization, the way to peace and spiritual transformation is transforming the mind.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Romans 8:5-7 NIV
How does one transform the mind? The first step is to learn to listen to God. He is always speaking; yet men have become deaf to His voice. We must dedicate our lives to being deep, spiritual people, so others can truly say that “Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). More than ever, we need what Proverbs calls Wisdom. Spiritually mature individuals are wise, and wise people have the skills necessary to lead an exemplary life in a way that brings honor to God. J. P. Moreland in his book “Love Your God With All Your Mind” said, “Wisdom is the fruit of a life of study and a developed mind… Clearly, to become spiritually formed in Christ, a person of wisdom, requires that we follow Christ’s teaching in this critical area,” and to do so, we must learn how to listen to God’s voice through prayer.
1 Willard, D. (2012). Renovation of the Heart.
Follow me for my next segment on contemplative prayer.
