We are not BRAIN-WASHED, but we do choose to WASH our BRAIN

This was written by Karl Hirsch who is the Dean of Students at Charis Bible College in San Jose. It was submitted by Kathryn Hansen...our devotional writer for Thursdays.

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I've been meditating the on cautionary message found in 

Colossians 2:8-10

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Many of the ‘outsiders’ to Christianity have a worldview of Christians as being ‘brain-dead’, ‘mind numb’, ‘religious preacher controlled robots’.  These self-professed intellectuals believe that they have attained sufficient mental ascendancy on their own human power to not need anything or anyone else.  This so-called ‘Progressive’ philosophy is believed by them to be the NEW and IMPROVED order for society, when it is in reality older than Moses.  They think they are ‘free’ but in reality they are ‘bound’ by the deceit and lies foisted upon them by the world (secular education, main-stream-media, etc.), the flesh (selfish desires) and the devil (spiritual forces leading them in destructive tendencies). 

Because these ‘outsiders’ do not have a relationship with the author of the Bible (Father God/Holy Spirit/Jesus), they do not understand how to embrace the truth of His love for them.  Take for example the wisdom found in 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 

And lean not on your own understanding; 

In all your ways acknowledge Him, 

And He shall direct your paths.

A ‘Progressive’ would immediately pounce on a Christian, make the accusation that God wanted them to completely abandon reason and blindly follow an invisible (non-existent to them) being.  But we know that God created us a with a brain to be put to use – not leave on our bed pillow.  The wisdom from God, as written by Solomon, is to not “LEAN ON” (put our total trust in) our own reasoning.  Many other scriptures get miss-interpreted by these intellectuals as describing a hateful sovereign.  But we know by the revelation from the Holy Spirit that the truth is GOD IS GOOD!

One of the biggest ways the Holy Spirit wooed me to a belief and confession in Christ was because I pondered the question, “Who is telling the truth and what is the real truth?”  The problem I have with ‘Progressives’, main-stream media, religious con artists, and even some close friends with good intentions is that they all can describe what they think is the correct view of life.  But how can one human claim they have “THE ONE TRUTH”.  So, I made the choice to believe and adhere to one source of truth – the “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth” (Bible).  And I know some would argue that there are many man-made interpretations of the scriptures.  But I have confidence that the inward working of the Holy Spirit who I invited into my life is able to lead and guide me into all truth.  As he will do for you also.  Our part as Christians is to follow the guidance of Romans 12:1-2 to keep our brains cleansed (renewed).

 Romans 12:1-2 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, 

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, 

which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 

that you may prove what is that good and acceptable 

and perfect will of God.

I leave you with a word of encouragement to not shrink back from these so called ‘Progressives’.  Continue to be bold with your belief in the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus.  We should never be offended in any way by their disdain for our beliefs – rather, we should rejoice.  

As it says in 

Luke 6:22

Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, 

And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake.

Blessings

Karl Hirsch

Dean of Students,

Charis Bible College of San Jose, CA

Who Am I Following?

This morning as I hurried up the escalator, hoping to reach the train platform before the train doors closed; I realized that I was watching the feet of the people ahead of me.  I was trying to keep my steps in sync with theirs, trusting their rhythm to get me where I needed to be, when I needed to be there. 

Now, I knew they were rushing to catch the same train I wanted to catch.  There is only one train that departs from my starting point, so following these folks will get me going where I need to be – this time.  But what about the times I am somewhere else?  How often have I rushed to catch up to folks, only to discover that the train or bus they were running for was headed in a direction I did not want to go?

This got me thinking about all of the years I spent following different people in one sort of relationship or another; only to find out that we had different destinations in mind?  I am so grateful that the things that could have lead to physical and emotional damage were stopped before I truly fell.  My whole life could have taken a path that kept me from knowing the Lord.  I could have missed finding true salvation,  indescribable joy and the promise of eternity.  I could have lived not knowing the love of the One Who Loves Me Best!

How many of the people around us are one step of faith away from their next and greatest victory?  Have the misguided or misunderstood words of a well-meaning teacher kept them from really understanding the enormity of God’s love?  Hurt feelings and the rejection of those who said, “I love you.” created issues that many are just beginning to recognize.

“These are the people who divide you, who follow

 mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.  But you, dear friends, 

by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,  keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”  

Jude 1:19-21  NIV

Sometimes it is hard to have to step off the well-worn path that takes us to the popular places.  I want to know what folks are talking about in the break room at work. Or even some family members who have bonded over books, movies or TV. shows that I know would not be good for me.  So I do my best to seek out those who will allow me to share in activities that will keep my perspective from going too far from the one that follows God’s expectations for me.

I also need to work on listening more to the source of the message and not becoming dazzled by the person who is the messenger.  God’s Word is truth for each of us.  Listening to, reading and studying  His instructions more and more will draw us forward so we can prepare for what comes next.

“Whoever serves me must follow me;

 and where I am, my servant also will be. 

My Father will honor the one who serves me.”  

John 12:26  NIV

Thank you, Father God, for giving me the Holy Spirit, who helps me find my way every day.  I would be lost in a ditch, if I did not have this gift.  Please help me remain humbled, so I do not ever believe that the good I do is about me.  I want today to be one that uses each of us to show the world how very much You love to love Your children.  I am choosing to follow You, in gratitude for all that You have given me.  I thank and praise You.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen!

Written by

Lynda Kinnard