John 15: 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches: He who abides in me and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit, for without me you can do nothing.
In order for us to live victoriously, having the powers of the mind geared to serve God with unswerving integrity, there are three things that are necessary to accomplish this, and if persons were to understand and adopt them, then the laws and powers of the mind will be used to the glory of God, and the upliftment of humanity. They are therefore enumerated as follows: [1] The mind must be garrisoned by the Living and written word of God.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 460] The heart must be renewed by divine grace, or it will be in vain to seek for purity of life. He who attempts to build up a noble, virtuous character independent of the grace of Christ is building his house upon the shifting sand. In the fierce storms of temptation it will surely be overthrown.
[2] Our choices must be guided by the word of God and The Spirit of God. In other words, the default setting in the mind, for settling all issues, great and small, must first be the these two, The word and The Spirit. If God so chooses to lead us to manmade agencies, then so let it be, but these two should always be the beginning point in addressing any and everything in life. Before running off to the experts, or to Oprah and Dr, Phil, let the Christian’s first resource be The Spirit and the word, with all other resources coming in downstream.
Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the Lord. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!