“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6 (NIV)

Good news: Sin is that within you which can be forgiven; nay, that which is already forgiven. The greatest step of faith is to believe that Christ has already set you free.

Unlike John Wesley who asked of his preachers, “How goes it with your soul.?”, I am interested in your answer to the question: “How goes it with your mind?” What is it that occupies the dominant space in your mind.  Around what or who revolves your thoughts, and what power do those thoughts have over you, your emotions, quality of life, and your interpretation of events?

When Paul speaks of “the mind of Christ,” he is not referring to intellect alone, but to the orientation of the heart and will. In Romans 8, he draws a stark contrast between two ways of thinking: one governed by the flesh, the other governed by the Spirit.

The “flesh” in Paul’s language refers not to our physical bodies, but to a mindset driven by self-interest, fear, pride, and earthly concerns. A mind set on the flesh lives reactively, anxiously chasing after control, validation, and comfort. It resists God’s guidance and becomes entangled in worry, comparison, and judgement.

In contrast, the “mind set on the Spirit” is marked by surrender, trust, and an inner orientation toward God. It is a mind that listens before reacting, yields before grasping, and seeks God’s presence even in the midst of uncertainty. This mind brings “life and peace”—not just eternal life in the future, but deep inner peace in the present.

This is due to the fact that the imagination is not some hypothetical faculty separate from the mind: it is the mind itself in its totality, which, applied to this or that activity, always makes use of the same procedures. And the mind is formed by struggle, not by tranquillity.

The Spirit does not merely visit us from time to time. According to Paul, the Spirit already dwells within us. (1 Cor 3 v 16-17) This means we are never left to navigate our thoughts and feelings alone. The Spirit guides us towards truth, convicts us gently when we stray, and reminds us of our identity in Christ.

But here’s the challenge: the mind does not drift naturally toward the Spirit. Left to itself, it returns to old fears and familiar patterns. We must intentionally set our minds on the things of God. This means slowing down, practicing attentiveness, meditating on Scripture, and praying with a listening heart.

Jesus lived in perfect harmony with the Spirit. He said only what He heard from the Father. He moved with a deep awareness of time, place, and purpose. His was a mind at peace, even when surrounded by chaos.

To have the mind of Christ, then, is to allow the Spirit to govern our thoughts—not through force, but through quiet influence. We begin to think differently, feel differently, act differently—not by trying harder, but by yielding more deeply.

Today, take a moment to ask: “What are the triggers that set my thoughts into a whirl of negativity?” What do I need to release? What might it mean to “set my mind” on the Spirit, right here, right now?

Mike Crockett is qualified in Mindfulness Interventions, helping people to manage their stress, anxiety, depression and grief. You are welcome to make an appointment by dialling 0813366143.

Keeping Christ in Mind (1)

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 2:5 (KJV)

Over the next few weeks, we are going to take a look at our minds, this marvellous gift that has so much potential within us for good and evil.  We begin with this profound statement of Paul in the book of Philippians which gives us the most beautiful and challenging picture.

The Greek word used here for “mind” refers not merely to thinking, but to a whole mindset, a pattern of inner disposition. It is radically counter-cultural, especially in a world that prizes self-promotion, power, and recognition. It’s a relationship that fits in perfectly with the two hemispheres of the single brain. The left hemisphere is often associated with logical reasoning, language processing, and analytical tasks, while the right hemisphere tends to oversee creativity, spatial awareness, and emotional intuition. Despite their functional differences, both hemispheres work in harmony, interconnected by the brain’s communication bridge, ensuring an integrated experience of thought, perception, and action.

Christ comes to us by the Spirit, to live within us and bring us into a special and unique part in the whole creative passage of God’s universe.

Carl Jung (Psychiatrist and Psychoanalyst) said “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams, who looks inside, awakes.”

To adopt the mind of Christ is to begin a lifelong journey of God-awareness, self-loving – not self-loathing, and a releasing of self- entitlement, and control. Jesus didn’t think equality with God was something to grasp. He didn’t need to prove anything. Instead, He trusted the Father’s purpose and poured Himself out in love.

This is the example he now urges us to follow,

The mind of Christ, then, is not only humble but hopeful. It knows that sacrificial love will ultimately be vindicated.

For us, this has both a personal and communal challenge. Personally, we are invited to examine where pride, fear, or self-preservation rule our thinking. What might it mean for me to “let go” today—to serve without needing recognition, to surrender without knowing the outcome?

Communally, Paul’s words are written to a church. He urges believers to be “like-minded,” sharing the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. The mind of Christ is not a private virtue but a shared culture. Imagine a church where everyone chooses humility, serves freely, and looks not to their own interests but to the interests of others. Such a church would reflect the very heart of Christ.

Let this mind be in you. Let it shape your thoughts, your actions, your relationships. We pray: “Come Spirit of the living God and live your life in me.”

“Male and Female created he them.” “They were naked and unashamed”

In creating Man and Woman God is taking his creating skills to a grand finale. After Man and Woman there will be no more creating. From the first life in the sea to the man and woman a billion years later, God’s creating is finished- at least for us here on earth. God has created Creativity!!! From now on all living things will procreate according to their particular nature.

But there are some rules to be followed. And herein lies the first tragedy. And it is this tragedy, not their nakedness that leads to shame. And it is not guilt but shame that they experience as they eat the forbidden fruit.

Shame is defined as a profound and multifaceted emotion that permeates the human experience. It is often described as a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behaviour. While it shares similarities with other emotions such as guilt and embarrassment, shame is unique in its intensity and its focus on the self. In other words, shame cuts deep into the soul. In a very real sense, guilt is easier to manage and get over.

Shame is self-punishment.  It is this all-loving creator God that they must hide away from.  Now the God against whom they have sinned is the very one who comes to rescue them while they are in hiding and sheds the blood of animals to make them clothing. No one else can save them from themselves.

This kind of experience is so central to the human situation that it should come first at the start of our relationship with God today. This complex feeling of failure in relationship is the most primal of our human self-awareness. It is our sense of shame that keeps us from God – as the prodigal son, who, when he did return, wanted to be a servant, not a son. It is the father who takes away his shame.  It is God who fully reinstates us.

WE are NOT reinstated to a system of faith, however noble that system might be. We are not freed only to be captured again by some other idol. “If the Son has set you free, you shall be free indeed.” We might choose to join a Church, as much as anything else where we might give expression to our newfound freedom.

Forgiveness, both of oneself and others, plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of shame. By forgiving oneself, individuals can release the burden of past mistakes and move towards self-acceptance and growth. Similarly, acceptance from others, especially from those who are significant in one’s life, can provide reassurance and help rebuild a positive self-image.

Soon we will remember Calvary, Jesus dying to free us from our shame!

With Grace and Peace,
Mike Crockett
Ref. J.D.Davies  “Beginning Now.”

2 Corinthians 4:7 We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.

God creates humans from the dust of the earth, breakable and impoverished, then has the audacity to breath his presence into such vulnerable creatures. The contrast from dirt to that which is most sacred of all creation is profound.

That such creatures are blessed with the ability to fail most miserably yet somehow to survive is entirely attributed to God’s audacity. Looking around us, looking at ourselves, at how we treat others and our care of creation from which we are made, we hang our heads in shame.

Precisely because we have a realistic view of ourselves, Christ comes as one of us to give us a physical role model of what we were meant to be. We measure our distance from Christlikeness and must confess we have failed to be who and what we were created for. Our hope is to be found in Jesus.

We have not been given a series of absolutely fixed words by which to assess the validity of our ideas about God. But we have been given a role model in the person of Jesus who comes, not that we might go to heaven but that we might live to the full here on earth.

Belief in God is something beyond our comprehension; the presence of Christ is something tangible, someone we can model ourselves on, a way to being truly human.

The way forward: Love God and all God’s creation with your whole heart, mind and strength, and love yourself as you love your neighbour.

BECOME WHO YOU REALLY ARE!!!

With Grace and Peace all wrapped up in Love.

The concept of humanity being created in the image and likeness of God is a profound and foundational belief in many religious traditions, particularly within Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. This doctrine is rooted in the scriptural accounts, primarily from the Book of Genesis in the Bible, which narrates the creation of humans in a unique and intimate manner.

According to Genesis 1:26-27, God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” This declaration signifies that humans are a reflection of divine attributes. Being made in the image of God, suggests that humans possess inherent dignity, worth, and moral responsibility. It implies that certain divine qualities such as rationality, creativity, the capacity for love, and the ability to discern right from wrong are mirrored in human nature. This concept elevates the human status to one of stewardship over creation, as humans are called to mirror God’s care and governance of the world.

Furthermore, the creation narrative in Genesis 2:7 offers a more detailed and intimate depiction of human origin: “Then the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” This verse beautifully illustrates the dual nature of human beings – both physical and spiritual. The formation from dust signifies our earthly, tangible existence and our connection to the natural world. We are, in essence, created from the same elements that constitute the earth, highlighting our role and responsibility as part of the environment and our kinship with all living things.

The act of God breathing life into the first human, however, introduces a divine spark that transcends mere physicality. The “breath of life” bestowed by God is not just the animation of the physical body but the infusion of a soul, imbuing humans with consciousness, intellect, and the ability to engage in a relationship with the Creator. This divine breath marks the beginning of human life and sets humans apart from other creatures, bestowing upon them the unique ability to seek, understand, and connect with the divine.

The theological implications of being created in the image and likeness of God are vast. It calls individuals to recognize the sanctity of human life and to treat each person with respect and compassion, acknowledging the divine imprint within every individual. It challenges humans to live up to their potential, embodying the virtues and moral integrity reflective of their divine prototype.

In conclusion, the belief that humans are made in the image and likeness of God, formed from dust and given the breath of life, is a profound testament to the sacredness and significance of human existence. It serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual realms and the unique role humans play in the tapestry of creation. This doctrine invites a deeper appreciation of human dignity, purpose, and the divine mystery that breathes life into us all.

Mike Crockett

References:
J.W. Davies “Beginning Now”,
J. Prenter Creation and Redemption

²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,^[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

²⁷ So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them. 

²⁸ God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Up till now, God has simply spoken; “Let there be… and there was”. Now the tone changes to “Let us make”. Isaiah 43 expresses it slightly different; “Now this is what the Lord says; he who created you Jacob, he who formed you, Isreal: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine,” The picture is that of God, the master sculptor, carving out people with the tender care and skill of the creator.

But there is much more. People are created in God’s Image and Likeness. Unlike the animals created and put out to pasture, people are created with the ability to talk back, to take authority for giving names to the animals, to take responsibility for the survival of the creation God has entrusted to us. Unlike with the animals, God has some inner compulsion to share himself and his presence with us. To put this all into one word, that presence is Love. This was an act of risk – it was sheer audacity for God to entrust us with his presence.

When God looks at you, he sees something of himself. And there is more – we can see God’s presence in each other.

God has not made us to be puppets. We have minds of our own. Love always frees us to return if we will, or if not then to go our own way, as did the Prodigal son. God will never stop seeing himself in you.  God frees us to choose love without fear or repercussion.

What we have to struggle to understand is that that the part of God in whose image we are is Love!!! Love is an attitude to life, to creation, to each other. Its an orientation of character which determines our attitude to the whole world.

Enough for now. Why not try hugging God by hugging yourself!!!