When you look into what it takes to be double minded you can see that it is someone that has two minds conflicting with each other. Does a Christian have access to two minds? The bible says that believers have been given the "mind of Christ". But the natural man has the carnal mind.
Christians often struggle with the carnal mind where the mind of Christ should be in charge. We have been given access to the mind of Christ, but if we let the carnal mind question what the mind of Christ says is true then we become double minded. Also, I would like to point out that it is only a Christian that can be double minded.
Understanding this has helped me answer a question I've had since becoming a believer. That question is: "Why does it seem some of the most neurotic people I've ever witnessed are Christians?"
I've felt that way myself at times. That's also why I think it is so important for a Christian to understand what the mind of Christ does for us and how we should not let the carnal mind have authority over the mind of Christ.
James 1:8
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
In order to be double minded we must have access to more than one type of mind. Unbelievers have the natural mind. I believe this is synonymous to the carnal mind. So an unbeliever is missing something that believers have access to therefore this verse below applies only to believers:
2 Corinthians 10:5-6
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
We have a mind and we have access to the Mind of Christ.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
I would suggest that in verse 8 below that this is speaking to both unbelievers and believers pertaining to resisting the devil and turning to God. Unsaved sinners need to turn to God and
James 4:8 KJV
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
It is God that purifies the heart of the believer:
Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Unbelievers DO NOT have access to the Mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:10-16 KJV
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
A double minded person may possess many of these characteristics:
Saints, remember that you have access to the mind of Christ. Put that mind on the throne of your heart checking what man says with the word of God and ask God for wisdom in all things.
Christians often struggle with the carnal mind where the mind of Christ should be in charge. We have been given access to the mind of Christ, but if we let the carnal mind question what the mind of Christ says is true then we become double minded. Also, I would like to point out that it is only a Christian that can be double minded.
Understanding this has helped me answer a question I've had since becoming a believer. That question is: "Why does it seem some of the most neurotic people I've ever witnessed are Christians?"
I've felt that way myself at times. That's also why I think it is so important for a Christian to understand what the mind of Christ does for us and how we should not let the carnal mind have authority over the mind of Christ.
James 1:8
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
In order to be double minded we must have access to more than one type of mind. Unbelievers have the natural mind. I believe this is synonymous to the carnal mind. So an unbeliever is missing something that believers have access to therefore this verse below applies only to believers:
2 Corinthians 10:5-6
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
We have a mind and we have access to the Mind of Christ.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
I would suggest that in verse 8 below that this is speaking to both unbelievers and believers pertaining to resisting the devil and turning to God. Unsaved sinners need to turn to God and
James 4:8 KJV
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Unbelievers DO NOT have access to the Mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:10-16 KJV
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
A double minded person may possess many of these characteristics:
- Fickle
- Indecisive
- Talk about Faith but live in doubt
- Easily distracted from spiritual things
- Seek God's approval and man's approval on an equal playing field
- Hate public confrontation but will enjoy backbiting in private
- Get excited easily but soon lose interest
Saints, remember that you have access to the mind of Christ. Put that mind on the throne of your heart checking what man says with the word of God and ask God for wisdom in all things.
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