|
|
Recently we received in the mail our monthly health newsletter from Consumer Reports, and the headline on the front page was, "Clearing away brain fog." The gist of the article was that often people complain of "bouts of feeling scattered, forgetful, unfocused, and confused when dealing with simple decisions." It seems to be a phenomenon that some people deal with on an occasional basis. The article then went on to list six steps to help "restore mental clarity" if a person thinks that they have been afflicted by "brain fog." These include dealing with medical issues, or medicines, or lack of sleep. They suggested that one work to exercise their brain, or interact regularly with others. Overall it was a good article with some very practical solutions to the problem of "brain fog."
It reminded me of dealing with my Aunt Thelma (in her 90's) many years ago. She accused me and my wife Sharon of some of the most outlandish things when she first came to live with us. Her doctor gave us some good advice, "Don't take it personally." He said that her brain just wasn't making some of its connections properly and gave us some medicine that helped her function quite well for several more years.
Recently as I was listening to a funeral message by a pastor friend of mine, he mentioned a scripture that caused my mind to jump to this idea — the devil does the very same thing to the minds of men and women of our world. He causes people to have "brain fog" concerning God and His word; Demonic brain fog.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.Men and women who have never been saved, never been born-again have had their minds blinded to the truths of God's word. It is like driving in a thick fog – they are unable to see,– they are confused as to where they are or where they are going. They do and say the most insane things. Their minds need to be cleared up with the glorious light of the Gospel. Take for example some episodes found in the Bible.
In John 9 Jesus heals a man who had been blind since birth. It was a wonderful demonstration of His deity. Even the man who had his eyesight restored recognized the miracle as being something that only God could do, yet the religious leaders of the day condemned the man and maligned the Lord Jesus as being from the devil.
In John 11 Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead and again the religious leaders actually conspire to kill Jesus and even Lazarus instead of celebrating a wonderful miracle from the hand of God. "Insanity on parade." God tells us in His word that men without Him are incapable of making wise decisions.
Psalm 107:17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
Proverbs 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.The greatest act of insanity perpetrated by mankind was the murder of the Lord Jesus upon the cross of Calvary. Yes, I know that it was all in the plan of God which He foreknew from the foundation of the world, but just to look at it from a human standpoint the act was pure insanity. Here was a Man who did no wrong, was full of compassion and love, yet the people cried out for His blood
Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Why? What wrong had He done to them? He had healed the sick, raised the dead, calmed the stormy sea, and many other wonderful works of God, yet…? From a human standpoint He should have been declared the greatest benefactor of mankind that ever lived, but He was put to a cruel death upon the cross. Only minds fogged by the insanity of sin and degradation could have been guilty of such a crime.
Today we still have the same problem. Men and women without God and His word still do the most insane acts of cruelty and sin. Ephesians 2:2-3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Ephesians 4:17-19 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.What is the reason? Mankind's eyes are darkened, their understanding is faulty, and they are ignorant of God's way, work and words. They follow the leading of their father, the Devil who desires to destroy them.
John 8:41-44 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.Many years ago there was a comedian on television who used to say, "The devil made me do it." He was mocking, making fun of a great Bible truth, which may have caused millions to believe that there is no devil. This is often a tool that the devil uses to cause people to think wrong about the Bible. Couch the truth in mockery or comedy and people will not understand that it really is the truth. This is part of the devil's plan to create spiritual brain fog in his people. In order to clear away spiritual brain fog we must get into the word of God and let it wash our minds and heart with its life-changing message.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;Regeneration is that act of trusting in Jesus Christ the Lord as your personal Saviour which is also spoken of as being "born again."
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. If you have never been born again then your mind is cluttered, confused, and vitally in need of cleansing. A person must start there and then the indwelling Holy Spirit can renew your mind into one that can think clearly and wisely. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Have you been saved? Is your mind being renewed by the in dwelling Holy Ghost? If not, trust Jesus today before it is too late.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
