Head or Heart?

I was asked recently why some people seem to grasp the truth quite easily whilst others seem unable to grasp it. And out of that question came another question about why some people are really able to walk the healing journey whilst others find it so very hard. In the rather lengthy conversation that followed we discussed many possible reasons why this may be so. But it was when I was alone with my thoughts that today’s verse came to mind and I realised the simplicity of the answer.

We live in a world that almost forces us to understand everything with our head and act on fact, rather than instinct. Information comes to us at an extremely fast rate, and we spend millions of pounds trying to understand how the universe works, and how the people in it function.

We grow up with a conditioning that, if we don`t understand it with our minds, then it can’t be real or true. Unfortunately this doesn`t just affect the way we receive what the world tells us, but it also affects how we receive the truth of God. Our mind becomes the filter for the human spirit.

I know for myself there`ve been many times when I`ve tried to understand with my mind what I can only really understand with my spirit. So often I`ve been told to stop `mind mangling` as I`ve tried to work it all out, rather than just allow God in.

The Thessalonians didn`t hear the truth with their minds, `our gospel didn`t come to you in word only`. They didn`t hear the word with their ears, think it through, discuss it, and then decide to believe. No the gospel came to them `in power and in the Holy Spirit`. They received it in their human spirit. They didn`t come under any condemnation, which so often happens when we hear with our mind. Instead they came into true conviction, with the Holy Spirit to human spirit communication of the truth.

This is the place of real and solid understanding. It not only brings real change in our lives, but it also reflects the truth into our whole being. The knowing of the truth doesn`t come from our minds, but from our spirits. You know it in your `knower`.

So may be you`re one of those people who feels stuck, and doesn`t seem to really move forward. Perhaps you spend much time reading and studying the word of God, but you don`t really understand it. You may even spend much time and energy on trying to work out the issues you face in your life. If so today is the day to start allowing Him to speak to your spirit, rather than work it all out in your mind!

Prayer: Father God, I realise today that I’ve used my mind to try to understand and hear the truth, and that so often my mind gets in the way of really hearing from You. Father, I choose today to open up my spirit to You, so I may hear You, not only in Word, but in power through Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.