So still on the topic of getting to the root of the problem – the mind. I’d like to highlight this week the ‘passive mind’. What is a passive mind, what are effects of a passive mind and how we should take control of a passive mind.
Let’s first examine what a normal (healthy) mind is supposed to look like. A normal mind can:
- Focus
- Resist
- Choose and sift thoughts
A passive mind, in contrast, struggles to do these things. A passive mind cannot focus on one goal or subject, cannot resist (tempting, evil, vile thoughts) and cannot sift thoughts (as discussed last week – filtering).
Definition of passivity: A condition in where you put your mind in neutral and you are not in control of what comes in. Like the wall of a dam that breaks and thoughts come in like flood waters – no control.
Passivity describes the opposite state of activity. For the believer it implies that you lose self-control (in the sense that a person controls all departments in his personal being) and that he/she loses free will (in the sense that the person exercises his will as the directive principle of personal control, in harmony with the will of God)
What are the causes of a passive mind(a mind out of control):
- Exhaustion, Stress, Burn-out (too tired to think)
- Illness – lying in bed with no stimulation
- Emotional problems (mind gets stuck – focussing on the problem, patterns of worry)
- Alcohol and drugs – destroys brain cells
- Certain types of music have a detrimental and hypnotic effect on the sub-conscious
- T.V. and Films (Narcotic effect that dulls the mind and you cannot resist)
If you have suffered from a passive mind with thoughts that oppress, drive and paralyse, you will have to resist them and do spiritual
warfare before you will be victorious. Remember: it is a process and takes time; it is not just a prayer.
God has created you to control your mind. He wants to bring you to a point where:
a) Your thoughts are under control;
b) You are not driven, but lead by the Spirit of God;
c) Peace reigns in your mind;
d) Your mind is free to focus on God; and
e) You are free to receive the Truth of God
Passivity will:
a) Hinder you from spiritual growth – no victory;
b) Hinder you from receiving the Word of God;
c) Hinder you from hearing from God;
d) Hinder you from meditation and study;
e) (It may) cause deception.
Symptoms of passivity:
a) Sudden thought flashes interrupting your thoughts or while reading Bible/praying.
b) Sudden cutting off of thoughts while conversing/witnessing.(Blank out)
c) Thoughts captivated by patterns of fear, worry, rejection, etc.
d) Senseless tendencies.
- 1. (e.g. ‘You must take risks and walk by faith’ or
- ‘You are more spiritual than anyone else’)
e) Uncontrolled imagination.
f) Sleeplessness and disturbing dreams.
g) Forgetfulness (can be shock), loss of memory, poor memory. (You are always making lists)
h) Inability to communicate – quiet (too much effort) or persistent talking (Do not think what you say – talk any nonsense.)
i) Lack of concentration.
j) Inability to reason. (Nod head; blink eyes but nobody’s home!)
k) Poor judgement. (Saul – mind out of control. Believed lies, jealous)
l) Double-mindedness, indecision, wavers.
m) Passivity, when there should be action; procrastination and lingering.
n) Hyperactivity, out of control. (Cannot be restful.)
o) Excessive rashness and impulsiveness.
Excerpts from book: Soul Care School (course one) available for download from Kanaan Ministries: www.kanaanministries.org
