The following includes excerpts from a recently released eBook, An Enemy Lies Within, which is available at each of the major distributors (Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, etc.).

The title of this article is the subtitle of The Christian Mind, a fascinating book written by Harry Blamires in 1963. Beginning with the statement, “There is no longer a Christian mind”, this student of C. S. Lewis and contemporary of A. W. Tozer, argues that the church and its members have surrendered to secular thinking (even in regards to Christian subjects). He goes on to describe “the marks of a Christian mind”. I offer them here for your edification and encouragement.

As you consider these foundations of christianly thought, you may want to test yourself and your platoons. How much of your thinking is contextualized and guided by a Christian mindset? Calculate a percentage; give yourself a grade.

According to Blamire, the Christian mind is marked by:

• Supernatural orientation: The Christian mind sees human life and human history held in the hands of God. It makes decisions in the context of eternity. It considers physical life as the smaller subset of Creation. It recognizes the existence of Heaven and Hell.
• Awareness of evil: It is conscious of the universe as a battlefield between good and evil. It is aware and sensitive to the power and spread of evil upon the human race, beginning with mankind’s rebellion in the Garden. It recognizes that the world, and the powers of it, are in the grip of evil – an evil that manifests in three enemies: Satan and his hordes, the world and its systems, and the flesh with its carnal mindset.
• Conception of truth: It recognizes the truth as: Absolute and uncompromisable; supernaturally grounded, not developed in nature; objective, not subjective; revealed, not constructed; discovered by inquiry, not determined by majority vote; and authoritative, not a matter of personal choice.
• Acceptance of authority: It rejects rebellion – in all its forms – to willingly bow before the Sovereign God. It considers authority as estimable and something to pursue over one’s self, family, and friends. It understands the image and reality of loving authority – our Father in Heaven. It accepts surrender as the door to relationship with God, and giving preference for relationship with the brethren.
• Concern for the person: It considers the human person as the only being created in the image of God. It appreciates the value God placed on the person – in Him becoming one. It values people above machines, and is wary of the life those machines provide for, and force upon, society. It embraces love for one another – and the same for enemies – as Christian distinctives. It rejects the classification of people based on temporal criteria, while recognizing that the weak are to receive particular attention.
• Sacramental perspective: It recognizes the omnipresence of God in all of life, and the desire of God to make life joyful and rewarding. It looks for God and His influence in nature – and particularly in the creatures of His image. It appreciates the desires and longings and the hopes and dreams that have been deposited by God in every person.

Most Christians agree and even “believe” that these foundations are true – and that is where they are stuck. Agreement without obedience is the worst kind of rebellion. Faith without works is dead. When the mind is christianly set, it thinks christianly all of the time – even in secular settings. There is nothing in all of Creation that cannot be considered and responded to from a christianly perspective.

It is sobering to consider that Blamires recognized our secular leaning in the middle of the 20^th Century. Sixty years of regression have left us in a dismal state. Secular thinking has become normative. We have wandered so far from the path, we need a guide to get us back. Thankfully, graciously, He waits for our humble and hopeful resignation: We need a Helper.

Our Greatest Ally in the Battle

God has providentially birthed us into the Age of Reason, when the mind has been honored and worshipped as our greatest ally. From a secular humanistic perspective, it is illogical to think of our mind as an enemy. We must resist the temptation to think like the world. There has never been a more critical time in history for Christians to force themselves to think with the mind of Christ.

For this we have the Holy Spirit – our carnal mind’s #1 enemy.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Galatians 5:17

The Holy Spirit’s role in overcoming our carnal mind is incontrovertible. However, given the conflict that exists for the control of our thinking, it seems prudent to point out the obvious: the Person of the Godhead most engaged in this battle is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit opposes the carnal mind’s influence.

The carnal mind would have us ignore the Spirit of God and His transformative work. In many Christian circles, he has been successful. It’s time we pushed back.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2Corinthians 3:18

The Holy Spirit is our transformer. He transforms us by the renewing (i.e., renovation) of our mind.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

Participation in the Holy Spirit’s work is both necessary and satisfying. He is Comforter (Acts 9:31), Helper (John 14:16), and Guide (John 16:13). He is Fruit-bearer (Galatians 5:22) and Gift-giver (1Corinthians 12:7-11). His sword – the word of God – is living and powerful (Ephesians 6:17).

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13

If you have not acknowledged the Holy Spirit as a Person of the Godhead, now is the time. You will find that He is quick to forgive and eager to get on with the work of your transformation. The remainder of this study will provide great opportunity for you to become more acquainted with Him and His work.

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:22

It is encouraging to know that the Holy Spirit has been assigned to root out the enemy within. He is the Spirit of truth, come to make us free (John 8:32).

Humbly yours and forever His,

Rob

Blamires, H.; The Christian Mind; Vancouver, British Columbia; Regent College Publishing; 1963.