Ephesians 5:18 -- Mind Control
In preparation for teaching a Bible study on the 4th
chapter of Philippians, I came across the following paragraph
written by J. Dwight Pentecost in his book, The Joy of Living – A
Study of Philippians, written in 1973:
“If Michelangelo somehow could move into this
body of mine and control my mind and my hands, I could turn a
block of marble into a beautiful sculpture. If Leonardo da Vinci
could move into my body to control me I could paint a
masterpiece. If Beethoven could move into my body to control me,
I could write a symphony. If Bach could move in and control me,
these hands could make melody burst forth from the organ. If
Dwight Eisenhower could move in and control me, I could move
armies to victory. If Denton Cooley could move in and control
me, I could perform the most intricate and delicate heart
surgery. If Einstein could move in and control me, I could
expound the laws of mass and energy. For then these men with
their gifts and knowledge could work though me as their
instrument to accomplish that which they have the ability to do.
If Jesus Christ, who dwells with me, controls my mind, my lips,
my hands, my feet, He can do anything through me that He has the
power to do."
If I were to paint a masterpiece because of Leonardo da Vinci’s
control of my body and mind, the art world would have a field day
trying to disprove and discredit my claim that the painting was an
original work of da Vinci. At first, art critics would be crying
“Fraud!” “Fake!” My claim that the artwork had been painted in
modern day and time would be deemed absurdity. I might even be
accused of being mentally unstable. After all, Leonardo da Vinci has
been dead for nearly 500 years. To discredit my claim, they would
begin studying the usage of colors, the brushstroke style, the
texture of the paint, the paints’ composition, the comparison of
light, shadows, etc. In their determination to disprove my claim,
they would eventually have to conclude that, somehow, a painting
done today is, indeed, a painting by Leonardo da Vinci. Their
expertise of being able to expose a counterfeit, or copycat, would
only prove that my painting is the genuine article – the real deal.
Though Dr. Pentecost’s commentary was specifically
written for Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me,” I immediately related the paragraph to
Ephesians 5:18. When Paul wrote the words “be filled with the
Spirit,” he was basically saying to “be controlled by” the Holy
Spirit. The above scenario about Leonardo da Vinci provides a good
illustration of what could happen when, or if, we are controlled by
someone other than ourselves. The results don’t reflect our personal
talents or abilities. The results reflect the personal talents or
abilities of the one controlling us. As in the above illustration,
the final result was a masterpiece that could only have been painted
by Leonardo da Vinci. I’m lucky if I can draw a decent stick figure,
so the only way I’d be able to produce a believable da Vinci
painting, could only be done through his control of my body and
mind.
I expect you know where I’m going with this. When we
allow our body and mind to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, the
outcome is going to represent a quality of excellence which can only
come from the Lord. If the outcome is something we can accomplish on
our own, then it will have our handprint all over it, not God’s.
But, if the results are recognized as a “God thing” or “God-sized”
as we often describe something that is beyond anything that can be
accomplished by man, we conclude the event or work was accomplished
solely in the power and leading of the Holy Spirit. Without much
difficulty, people will be able to discern if the work is the real
deal or an imitation attempt to do something spiritual in our power.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to control us, we become an instrument
through which He can accomplish that which only He has the ability
to do.
Top |
