Mind, Heart, Will—The Formula for Healthy Growth
In recovery (Bible) and life in general, there is a trilogy all of us have to consider:
M Mind
H Heart
W Will
“But God be thanked, that you were the slaves of sin,
but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine
which has delivered you.” --Romans 6:17
This verse is powerful!
It is also one verse that is much disrespected. When not taken seriously, it leads to imbalanced living. In a nutshell, it says this—
1. Make sure you believe the truth about what the gospel is and what the Bible teaches about living.
2. Make sure you ask yourself, “Do I really believe what I have been taught?”
3. Live from the heart after the heart has been informed by the mind.
The history of the church has been imbalanced in points 1 & 2 above.
Point 1 Imbalance:
Some might embrace Christianity because of its theology and metaphysics. They embrace great debate and discussion about man and his world. Christianity for them becomes an intellectual hobby. Sadly, the mind touched without the heart is tragedy. Usually these people lack the grace of God and basic human kindness. They experience no grace in their own lives and cannot offer it to another. One would hardly go to someone like this if they were in trouble, only to hear well formed arguments and particulars on certain doctrines, explained in great detail. Sympathy would be missing here. A man like this can defend the gospel better than most, but it does not impact his personal life.
Point 2 Imbalance:
There are some that focus too much on the heart of the gospel. The gospel appeals to the emotions. When life brings about a disaster, the gospel is to make life better. The focus is on an emotional experience only. Some particular sin is committed which they try to get rid of but can't get away from it. The message of deliverance appeals to them greatly. An incomplete presentation of the gospel can lead someone like this astray after the initial experience has left. Then they are wondering where God went. They feel abandoned by God.
The Desire for Head/Heart Balance
There seems to be a definite order to the powers of mind, heart and will. The verse in Romans supports this as does many other portions of Scripture. First we see the fact that man was a servant of sin, but is no longer that. Paul says that the form of doctrine that came to them—‘you have obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine delivered to you.’
In recovery, we should keep in mind Paul’s position of head, heart and will. The heart is always to be influenced through understanding—the mind (sound doctrine), then the heart, then the will. That is the order. We must avoid appealing to the heart or will without the mind. The greatest part of God’s image in man is his mind, with the capacity for apprehending truth. God has endowed us with that. Yet, God forbid if we end it with the intellect! It starts there, but it goes on. It then moves to the heart and finally a man yields his will to Christ.
Looking at Mind, Heart, Will for Recovery
M - Mind
First, we need to analyze our thoughts about our life and identify all irrational and unrealistic beliefs, thinking, or ideas which are at the root of hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Once we have identified the "sick'' thoughts, then we need to replace them with healthy, rational, and realistic thinking, beliefs and ideas. This is the renewing of mind. We need to think rightly. It starts with an understanding of the gospel message and then seeking God’s will for our life. Then it leads to understanding what God wants for our lives, which leads to God’s Holy Word and growing in Christ. In short, we need to think correctly!
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.--Romans 12:1-2
An example of “old man” thinking:
To be successful or happy in life I need to make a lot of money, have a sexy spouse, and be admired and respected by others.
An example of “new man” thinking:
To be happy in life I am to be poor in spirit, to be humble. I am to serve others, to think of others as more important than myself. I am to be a giver of my money and time to build the
H - Heart
Second, after our thoughts have become healthier, more rational, and realistic, we then need to identify all of our “sick” emotions and feelings which were based on our old “sick” thoughts and then integrate our "new'' healthier thoughts with our emotions and feelings. That way we have healthier, more rational and realistic emotional and feeling responses to our life resulting in victorious.
An example of “old man” emotions/feelings:
When I see nice clothes on someone or an expensive car on the road I feel a desire to own these items. I feel these are symbols of respect. I feel more secure if I own these. I will be accepted by others. I will feel powerful.
An example of “new man” emotions/feelings:
My identity is in Christ. I have been bought with a price. Christ owns me now, not the flesh and the devil. I am no longer a slave of other’s opinions or the world’s idea of what success is."
The above are G-rated emotions/feelings. All in recovery know that the heart can be wicked and very dark. Many have fed their emotions with deadly poison. It is foolish to believe (thinking) that many years of feeding oneself poison—drugs, alcohol, sexual activity, materialism, anger, violence, etc.—can be eliminated quickly. We are completely forgiven in Christ, made new creatures, and God’s grace works differently with some, but in large part, most of us have a lot of work to do in the area of emotions/feelings and live under the complete control of the Holy Spirit.
W - Will
Third, only after we have altered our “sick” thoughts and “sick” emotions can we change our “sick” actions and behaviors. Once we have developed a healthier, more rational, and realistic thinking and emotional life, we can take actions and exhibit behaviors which are healthier, more rational and realistic and result in victorious living.
WARNING: We cannot change our actions or behaviors before we have changed our emotional and feeling responses to life. When people change their actions because it is the “correct” thing to do (mind) without feelings (heart) which go along with them, then their recovery falls flat and dies. We need to change our thoughts and emotions before our actions become “authentic” and have greater “staying'” power.
In today’s information saturated culture, there is no excuse for not having strong doctrine (a set of biblical beliefs). There is a lot of biblical ‘junk food’ for the mind as well, but there are also tremendous sources available. Yet, the hardest part of recovery is the heart. Emotions and feelings that have been fed poison for so long they keep begging to be fed. This is why COMMUNITY--fellowship, accountability/sponsor, church going, friendship, healthy social activities are so crucial for recovery and growth in Christ.
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