Head and Heart

Feelings and logic are often at odds with each other. Not always, but often. For example, logic may say, “We should save money so that we aren’t caught off guard.” Feelings say, “You deserve that Caribbean vacation. You’ve had to deal with your mouthy kid all Christmas break. Treat yo self.”

I am more of a feelings person if you haven’t noticed. I’ve worked hard over the years to become more logical, but it for sure isn’t natural to me. I can justify anything. It’s a blessing and a curse.

If we are honest, most of us are naturally one or the other. Not all, but most. And usually the 2 different types marry each other.

God has a lot to say, pro and con, for both types. He also offers us an alternative.

Ephesians 1:15–20 NLT

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Let’s start with the head. If you remember back to the start of this series, Ephesus was home to agnostics. These are people who, among other things, believe that wisdom and knowledge are how we connect to and become divine. Here Paul is acknowledging that all wisdom and insight comes from God. He is actively asking God to give them these things so that they can live for God.

But this doesn’t just happen. You have to work at it. Allow God’s Spirit to transform the way you think and understand the world.

Romans 12:2 NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

“I think therefore I am.” I prefer to fix my stinkin’ thinkin’. The truth is, our thoughts determine how we view the world.

There is another thing that happens as we allow God to transform our mind.

1 Corinthians 2:10–11 NLT

But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NLT

But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

This does not mean that if the Bible is confusing you aren’t a Christ follower. What this means is that as we submit our thoughts to Jesus, the Holy Spirit continually reveals God’s will to us.

Remember how we talked about conviction last week? This is why we feel convicted when we do something that breaks God’s heart.

Hebrews 10:16 NLT

“This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”

God has written His law on our minds and our hearts. Which brings us to the next part.

Ephesians 1:18 NLT

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

Let’s be honest, to those who do not believe in Jesus, our whole belief system is pretty foolish right? We believe a guy who died thousands of years ago is somehow able to save us from death. On top of that, we are supposed to trust that there is something after this life that is either better or worse based on if we believe in Him? We are also supposed to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and give away our stuff to help others. That just seems real ridiculous. But if we have a new heart…..

Ezekiel 36:26 NLT

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

Then we absolutely can believe in this eternal hope. Don’t listen to me. Listen to Jesus.

Matthew 12:33–36 NLT

“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.

So how does that help me today? Can I really have the mind and heart of Jesus?

Ephesians 1:19–20 NLT

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

The Good News is that you can’t do any of it. It is all on God to come through. And He always does. The Holy Spirit in our lives is the power of God to walk in victory over Satan and sin, communicate the message of Jesus, and to forgive our enemies. Did you catch that? It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead. That is that power living inside of you.

Addiction, unforgiveness, anger, pride. You name it, God’s power is stronger.

Do not check your brains at the door.

You were created by God with a mind to think.

Walking by faith and walking blindly are 2 different thing.

Faith is based on God’s track record and character.

Blindness is lazy and passive.

Surrender your heart.

Your heart dictates your actions. You will pursue what you love.

Allow the Holy Spirit of God to come in and change your passions and desires

Rest in the power of God.

Paul is so clear here. The power we walk in is not from us. It is from God.

This power is the ability to live for Jesus in a dark and broken world.