How important is theology for evangelists?

[Guest shiloh357]

Shiloh - I appreciate your perspective and what you have to say, and I believe I do understand.

However, right now the Lord is working in me to bring out my heart and bring my mind under the submission of my heart.

Can you explain a theology that is heart-based rather than mind-based?

Proper theology is neither heart-based or mind-based. Theology ( at least that which is sound) is Scripture-based.

In the Bible, the heart and mind, especially in the Hebrew, are almost indistinguishable. Together they represent one's entire being. We are to love God with both our heart and mind. We are to employ both in our service to Him. I don't think that one "submits" to the other. Rather both are submitted to God when we daily offer ourselves as living sacrifices.

I guess I didn't explain that right. I'm thinking heart = spirit, and it's our spirit that hears from the Holy Spirit. My mind gets in the way of hearing the Spirit.

Yes, I understood what you meant. The Bible uses "heart" and "spirit" interchangably when talking about how we relate to God. How does your mind get in the way?

[nebula]

Yes, I understood what you meant. The Bible uses "heart" and "spirit" interchangably when talking about how we relate to God. How does your mind get in the way?

It questions and challenges everything.

I'm so out of tune with hearing what the Lord is dropping in my spirit because my mind is always over-riding it.

And I don't mean "test the spirits" and confirming things with the Word. I mean I bury it in doubts and challenges and make up my own thinking of what I should be doing rather than what was given to me and . . . .

[Isaiah 6:8]

Only Bible, you dry up, Only spirit you blow up, You need both.

[Believer112]

Yes, I understood what you meant. The Bible uses "heart" and "spirit" interchangably when talking about how we relate to God. How does your mind get in the way?

It questions and challenges everything.

I'm so out of tune with hearing what the Lord is dropping in my spirit because my mind is always over-riding it.

And I don't mean "test the spirits" and confirming things with the Word. I mean I bury it in doubts and challenges and make up my own thinking of what I should be doing rather than what was given to me and . . . .

The knowledge (the tree?) we have disconnects us spiritually from God. I struggle making the word of God more real to me than what I see, taste, feel hear or smell. I felt the same way this weekend with doubts and told myself I need to rest in God and pray.

God knows you because He created you and He knows what we are. God loves you no matter what you do, just keep faith in Him. Nebula you have the mind of Christ and you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. The next time you hear from God just step out of the boat and trust in Him. I also will try to do the same.

May God bless you and comfort you in Jesus name.

[nebula]

Thanks, Believer!

[Guest shiloh357]

Yes, I understood what you meant. The Bible uses "heart" and "spirit" interchangably when talking about how we relate to God. How does your mind get in the way?

It questions and challenges everything.

I'm so out of tune with hearing what the Lord is dropping in my spirit because my mind is always over-riding it.

And I don't mean "test the spirits" and confirming things with the Word. I mean I bury it in doubts and challenges and make up my own thinking of what I should be doing rather than what was given to me and . . . .

To some degree, we experience that from time to time. But, since you are the analytical/intellectual type, I can see where it would be more pronounced in your life. And since you can idientify and recognize the problem, that's half the battle out of the way, right there. Like I said before, I think it amounts to bringing your mind in submission to the Lord and in your case, I would say that you need a plan. Most of us need a plan.

One thing I would suggest is bathing your mind in the Word of God. Not just morning devotions or daily study times, but all the time. I do this, myself. I have the Bible on CD and I play it when I have a mental break. I play it when I am in the car, and when I am cleaning up around the place. I even downloaded a few CDs to my lap top and play them at night and just fall asleep to the Word of God. All this in addition to my personal devotions and Biblestudy/reading times. The more you do this, and I can attest to this from personal experience, the more the Lord is able to illuminate your mind and heart to what you may need to change and adjust in your life. I found that the when it comes to the mind, the Word of God is like washwater. It cleanses away and pushes out the junk.

This is also something you are going to have to seek the Lord about, if you are not already doing so. It is, at the very least, going to require a lot of prayer in concert with flooding your mind with the Word of God.

Just out of curiosity, and you dont need to give any details or even answer this, but what kind of things does the Lord drop into your heart that your mind rejects? Sometimes, knowing the context of the problem can help in knowing what kind of action to take.

I would also suggest that this problem may require more help than can be provided over a message board. If you have anyone else in your life that successfully hears from the Lord, they may have encountered a similar problem and help you and provide you with advice and/or some practical help in this area. There is just no substitute for having that face-to-face accountability relationship where you can get real answers in real time.