Today’s Bible Study, Authored by Arthur
Cincotti. 07/23/2023
Listen to our Bible
Study Discussion at: Can Jesus Read You MInd? Podcast
Or watch the Video Zoom Session of our Study on YouTube:
Can Jesus Read Your Mind?
“But Jesus, knowing their
thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts?’” Mt. 9:4
Okay…unfortunate answer is;
YES!
We see many examples in the gospels where Jesus more than
intuitively knew the thoughts and/or future actions of the people He was
engaging with.
In Lk. 24:45 it says that He
actually “opened their mind (understanding NKJ) that they might comprehend
the Scriptures.”
This shouldn’t be shocking for us that the creator of all
that is seen and unseen has authority and insight into our thought life,
including dreams. However, if we are honest, most of us carry on through our
days as if this were not so, or we defect to the notion that thoughts just come
flying into our brains without much effort or control on our part, therefore
we’re off the hook.
Before we explore this further, it would seem reasonable to
ask if Satan can read our minds.
Most theologians believe not, but are quick to qualify that
by saying that he is so cunning and intelligent, and such a keen observer that
he can easily make logical connections as to what we will do or say next. This seems
like mind reading and even prophecy.
R.C. Sproul points out, in a
short article, that Satan is a created being who is, “more powerful than people
but far less powerful than God.”
Another question regarding Satan’s latitude is, can he put
thoughts in our minds. This is a slightly different dynamic than reading our
minds. One might conclude that, at an opportune moment, Satan, or one of his
minions, might, somehow slip destructive thoughts into our unprotected minds to
wreak havoc. The evidence is not conclusive. In Acts 5:1-3, Peter asks Ananias,
“why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…?” This
passage is filled with information on the subject. Not only does Satan somehow
influence Ananias but Peter gets insight into the truth of the situation.
We should always rest in I Jn. 4:4, “You are of God,
little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater
than he who is in the world.” God will always prevail!
What is God’s capacity to
read our thoughts?
We have already concluded that He can and does. Ps 139.2-4, “You
understand my thought afar off….For there is not a word on my tongue, But
behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.”
The failure is in our awareness of this, just as we
often drift in our awareness of His presence, or the Spirits habitation.
For this reason Scripture has much to say about cultivating
a holy thought life; one that is aligned and in agreement with the word of God.
II Cor. 10:5, “bringing every thought into captivity to
the obedience of Christ.”
Phil. 4:8, “...whatever things are
true…noble,..just…pure..
lovely…of good report, if there is anything of virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy –
meditate (think) on these things.
Prov. 4:23, “Keep your heart with all diligence.
Isa. 26:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace
Whose mind is stayed on You…”
In his book, “Soul Care” Dr. Rob Reimer talks from personal
experience, about the “imaginary conversations” we have in our minds. He is
bold to say, “Don’t lie; you’ve done this, too.”
In our imaginary
conversations we somehow always prevail. This is certainly a form of both pride
and deception.
Back to our II Cor. passage, 10:3-5, “For though we walk
in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our
warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting
down arguments (imaginations ASV) and every high thing that exalts itself
against the knowledge of God.”
The battle of our minds is far more comprehensive than we
often think. We tend to concentrate on the failures of lustful thoughts or
jealousies, or bitterness, or assumptions, but the passage says, “every
high thing that exalts itself” This, I would suggest is everything that
“exalts”, establishes us as god in our thinking. If we are honest, there
is probably a lot of volume there.
The original temptation was that we would be “like God,
knowing good and evil.” I would suggest that this might be expressed as,
rightly distinguishing good and evil. Don’t we do this in our inner arguments?
Returning to the notion of Satan controlling our thoughts,
James weighs in by saying, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by
his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it
gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” Js.
1:14,15. I see a partnership there.
Keep in mind that, in the Gen. 3 passage, Eve forged a
relationship with Satan by listening to him.
We, as born again believers, have the mind of Christ, and a constant
invitation forge a relationship with Him by agreeing with Him. When He
reads our minds, let Him find what He has already said!
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Encouragement
for the Path of Christian Discipleship
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