Minding Your Thoughts
A Biblical Overview of Obtaining and Maintaining a Biblical Thought Life
Ezekiel 23:28 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will deliver thee into the hand of them whom thou hatest, into the hand of them from whom thy mind is alienated:
Make sure to read the note at the end…
Let’s dig one more nugget out of the teaching on “alienation of the mind.” In today’s verse the Lord states that He will deliver Jerusalem into the hand of the people they hate. Who was that? It was the nation, the people, that Jerusalem once flirted with, doted on, loved, and with whom they entered into an unwholesome relationship. There is an Old Testament story that illustrates this cycle of emotion perfectly. It’s the story of Amnon and Tamar. In short, Amnon thought he was in love with Tamar, so he took her physically and against her will. Afterward he hated her, in fact the Bible says, Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone. (II Samuel 13:15) This is a horrible physical Old Testament story that illustrates a spiritual New Testament truth.
Sin always brings with it alienation of mind. Yes, we have the promise that God will not leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). This is an unquestioned promise of God that, in part, is fulfilled through the person of the Holy Spirit. However, our mind can be alienated against Him, sin will do this. Sin will also cause our minds to become alienated from others, robbing us of the blessings of their love and companionship throughout life (usually there is a remedy, like forgiveness).
There was a way that Amnon could have honorably and honestly obtained Tamar for his wife (see II Samuel 13:10 – 13), but sin degraded their relationship to hate, his mind was alienated from her. As a closing thought on this short series of devotions on “alienation of the mind” let this be stated: when alienation of the mind occurs mark it down, somewhere, on someone’s part, sin has reared its ugly head.
Note: The word “alienated” is only used four times in the Old Testament, all in Ezekiel 23, each time it is associated with the mind, and each time it is in relation to sin. This is a serious and complex issue that must be approached with prayer and honest introspection. I trust you have gleaned some golden nuggets of wealth in these five simple devotional thoughts. For I wish for you the same thing the Apostle John wished for those who read his writings. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (III John 1:2) One way to experience a continual prosperity of the soul is to learn to alienate sin from the mind. For if not, this little poem, written by Alexander Pope, may become a reality, for in the mind sin is seen long before it is ever committed.
Sin is a monster of such evil mien
That to be hated needs but to be seen;
But seen too oft familiar of face
We first endure, then pity, then embrace
May the Lord Bless and be pleased with your thought life today.
William T. Howe, Ph.D.
Comments