Mind & Soul

When we think of the mind, we immediately think in terms of our brain. Often in general conversations we refer to our head as being ‘full of thoughts’ and cite it as the location of the mind. It is true that the brain is the control center for the body; it is the mind of the flesh. It is the place where knowledge is gathered through the five senses and stored in a place called memory. The brain’s ability to process and reiterate that knowledge is called intellect. Because science never considers any explanation outside the physical, it concluded that we used only our brain

(mind), to think and to reason. However, the brain is a ‘member’ of the human body. It was a member of the human body before we were saved, and it is still a member of the body; just as an eye, ear or tongue. Though it is the control center for the body, it is still only a body part that is controlled by a greater power. We cannot argue the fact that the brain is a place of thought.

However, the fleshy mind (brain) can only give a physical interpretation of its environment. It is indeed the place where thoughts are assembled and formed into patterns

and actions. But we can insert here that thoughts do not originate in the brain, they are simply assimilated there so that they can be expressed in words or deeds. The world calls this mental process, thinking. However, it might surprise us to see how God defines thought.

The scriptures are quite clear on this subject:

Matthew 15:19

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies

Mark 7:21

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders

Luke 24:38

And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

Matthew 9:4

And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

These passages clearly reveal the fact that thinking begins in the heart; which is the capital of the soul. It is a spiritual exercise done by the inner man; which is also a term used

to describe the soul. It is necessary to understand that these words, “heart” “soul” “mind” “inner man,” “spirit,” “spirit of the mind” and even on occasion, “breath,” are

all used interchangeably in the scriptures. The character of our thoughts is also determined in the soul or heart. The thoughts that proceed out of the heart are either good or evil. But where do they go? These thoughts are manifested in either conversations or deeds; if not, they are contained in the imagination. If our thoughts are revealed in conversation or deeds, they must be sent to the mind of the flesh, which is given permission to use its ability to express these thoughts in our spheres of influence.

The functions of the mind, namely its thought patterns, can be trained, influenced, and even manipulated. Scripture bears witness of this in its instructions to the church at Philippi. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are

just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8). This passage sets the boundaries for our thinking. It is the parameters of thought given to the soul and passed on to the flesh. These instructions were given to the soul. He is the

originator of thought. It is the soul that is to ensure the fleshy mind remains within the boundaries of the faith. He is the power and master of the body. Though the fleshy mind is the control center for the workings of the flesh, the soul provides the mind with content, character and purpose. David understood that it is the heart (soul) that God holds responsible for the disposition of men and gave advice to his son accordingly.

1 Chronicles 28:9

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all

hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Right here, I need to remind you again that the imagination is a collection of thoughts that may or may not have been expressed. It is a holding place for our true disposition. As you will learn later, it is an incubator for thoughts; with the sole purpose of keeping them alive and well. The imagination is a function of the soul or heart; therefore, the contents of the imagination serve also to provide spiritual location. Note that God searches the imagination for the good or evil of its thoughts. Thus, it is the content of the imagination that is truly what a

man thinks. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee (Proverbs 23:7).

Thoughts do not just pop up in our heads out of nowhere. They have an origin; and that origin is the soul. It is the desire of the soul that initiates thinking. The soul allows structures or rejects thoughts. The soul receives or rejects suggestions from satan or instructions from God. In the beginning, man was made a living soul. You must understand that the body belongs to the soul. The soul is that eternal part of man that will live forever; either with God or in torment. The soul meditates on ways to accomplish its desires. The fleshy mind or brain is simply the member of the body the soul uses to bring those desires into reality.

For instance, the soul desires to feel the sensation of a cool breeze on its body. Therefore, it instructs the brain to send a message to the hands, which simply says, “Open the

window.” The point I seek to make here is that the soul is the master of the body. The soul applies a spiritual interpretation to that which the body entertains or experiences. Science calls this a mental assessment, having no regard for the fact that all physical attributes have a spiritual origin. The body was merely a lump of clay before the spirit or soul was put into

it. In other words, when a man touches a woman’s hand, the brain or fleshy mind recognizes the sense of touch. However, the soul determines and dictates the connotation given to that touch. It decides whether it is benevolent or sensual.

Again, the soul is the spirit of the mind; it is the ruler of the house. It dictates or puts a definition on every experience. Its determinations supersede those of the fleshy mind or

brain. A good example of this is perversion. The term means an alteration of something from its original meaning, purpose or state, to something abnormal or corrupt and unacceptable. It is a distortion or corruption of what was originally intended. For instance, there are those who experience sexual acts that are degrading and even very painful to the human

body. However, if the soul determines the pain to be pleasure, then that which the mind (brain) once processed as unnatural affection becomes perverted. The mind is forced to accept pain as pleasure. Once this operation is successful, then the fleshy mind now processes thoughts regarding sex differently, thus creating different emotions as well. From this point on, what the body sees, hears and feels, must conform to the criteria the soul has set. This type of perversion also establishes a mindset regarding sex. The method by which any type of sexual thought or act is processed is set by the dictates of the spirit of the mind. Thus, painful degrading sex becomes a preference and may even be considered normal for that individual.

Again, man was made a living soul and it is the soul, not the body that will give an account of the deeds done in the flesh. The body is on its way back to the dust of the earth. So then, what is the role of the mind? To answer this question, we must first set the proper perspectives. We must first define man or son of God from the Father’s point of view. Remember, in the scriptures the words mind and soul are used interchangeably. However, in every instance the sons of God are instructed to bring their bodies under or put them in submission to the will and Spirit of God. This may seem to be a difficult thing to accomplish and it indeed would be, had we not been given the mind of Christ. The Holy Ghost is the indwelling of the Lord

Jesus Christ. When we walk in the Spirit of Christ, we are simply walking in His mind, heart, and desires. This we will discuss in more detail in a later chapter. Nevertheless, for now, it will suffice you to know that when the Lord speaks to us, He does not speak to the flesh; He speaks to the inner-man. He does not talk to the house; He talks to the master of the house.

Therefore, the man, from God’s perspective, is our inner man, who upon salvation was placed in the Holy Ghost; for in Him we live and move and have our being. The Father has given instruction as to what the soul or heart is to focus its thoughts on: things that are honest, just, pure and lovely; things that are of good report virtuous and praiseworthy. If our thoughts are structured according to God’s design, they would produce a pattern of righteousness and godly character. To think outside of these boundaries is to devise evil and iniquity in the heart.

Before I end this chapter, I want to also clarify some terminology for the sake of going forward in our discussion. The fleshy mind or brain is the control center for the flesh; nevertheless, it is flesh. Therefore, when the term mind is used in scripture, it is sometimes referring to the human brain. In other instances, it is clearly referencing the soul. However, the soul gives life to the flesh including the mind (brain), which is also flesh. Therefore, it is the spiritual man that is held responsible for the deeds done in the body, including the thoughts of the heart and mind.

In conclusion, the mind of the flesh does not provide the nature of man, it simply responds to the influence of our nature. It is a place where man can process his environment

and experiences. It is the knowledge and comprehension center of the flesh. The fleshy mind or brain is flesh, however, and spirit is always more powerful than flesh. It is the spirit of the mind (soul) that dictates how that which we entertain or interact with is processed.

The soul has authority over the fleshy mind. Here is where likes and dislikes are born, affections are created and will is determined. The mind is always controlled, whether by

the Spirit of God or by the soul of its master.