The lies and unbelief spread by the enemy are too numerous to count, but right up there near the top of the list has to be modern man's complete rejection of and refusal to believe that we can attain any kind of perfection in this lifetime. We would prefer to wallow in our self-pity and weaknesses, justifying our ineffectual works as being the 'best we can do.' Could it be that we only want enough of God in our lives to escape hell's fires, but not enough to totally lay down our lives, our thoughts, our desires? Could it be that we like being respected, admired and looked up to? That we might have to give up the rest of the things of the world that we have been hiding away if we were to actually "Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus?"

After all, we are pretty fond of our opinions and pet theories. We do get something of a kick out of a good intellectual argument from time to time, and there is nothing quite like putting someone in their place when they get to big for their britches. If we were to actually strive to be 'conformed to the image of Christ'... we would have to lay aside everything else in our lives.

It's right up there with 'turning the other cheek,' we always have a 'yeah but...'. It is sad but true, that far too many of us are more interested in having our opinions heard and speaking 'our mind'... than we are in 'having the mind of Christ.' And when it comes down to speaking our minds... espousing our noble and lofty thoughts, how often do we consider the seriousness of Jesus' words in Matthew 12:36-37 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

Ouch!! If we really 'believed' that we will one day be judged by our own words, wouldn't we be at least a little more selective with how generously we dish them out? And what are we to do in regards to John 12:48 "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." The apostasies are spread so widely throughout the Church in this dark hour, that a vast majority of those who call themselves believers, have no real idea what Jesus' words even are. This generation is beholding the final fulfillment of Amos 8:11 "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD." Our religious landscape is littered with those who call themselves 'prophet' and 'apostle'... they chatter incessantly, speaking smooth things, saying 'peace, peace' when there is no peace, and the people love to have it so.

Paul reiterated what he said in the opening verse... here in 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 "But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him]. For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.."

We should know that Jesus also said, "The Son of Man came eating and drinking [with others], and they say, Behold, a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and [especially wicked] sinners! Yet wisdom is justified and vindicated by what she does (her deeds) and by her children" Matthew 11:19.

Just whose children are we... "How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]? For it was declared at first by the Lord [Himself], and it was confirmed to us and proved to be real and genuine by those who personally heard [Him speak]" Hebrews 2:3 ???