Mindful Christianity Today
I am a human judging machine in need of a cure. My mind is a dualistic processor of information. It is a binary operating system with either/or thinking as the default position. I can identify the character flaws of everyone but cannot recognize my own.
My mind evaluates and makes instantaneous judgments on everything I see or hear about you. The moment I see you or listen to you say something; I immediately assess whether I like you or not. I judge whether you are good or evil, pretty or ugly, rich or poor, religious or nonreligious. These are a few examples in an endless list of comparisons which I choose. It is living life from one perspective, mine. It is an all or nothing thinking that falsely gives me a sense of control over my out of control life.
I judge you according to my belief system of what I believe is right or wrong for me and only me. I view life by comparing and differentiating between negative or positive possibilities on any given subject about you. You are either benefiting me or hurting me. If you can do nothing to help meet or satisfy my needs, I will replace you with someone who can offer me a better alternative.
Self-preservation and personal security are at the heart of my human judging machine. I anticipate and try to nullify any danger I feel directed at me. I am hard-wired to make decisions based on my survival. Dualistic thinking is necessary for surviving my day to day life. When approaching a traffic light, there is a decision that is made whether to stop or go or whether to turn left or right. Without dualistic thinking, it would be impossible to get anywhere or negotiate the task-oriented details of our life.
We are generally unaware that our conscious view of life is a direct response to how we think. For a life-altering transformation to place in our life, there must be a whole new way of thinking and perception of how we view life. (Contemplation: Seeing the World through God’s Eyes)
The apostle Paul speaks of putting on the mind of Christ. It is exchanging our way of thinking for a new way of thinking and processing life.
It is learning how to view life from a non-dualistic way of thinking, which is a both/and perspective. Thought doesn’t have to be either/or but the possibility of both/and with an openness to compromise and bring a resolution. I no longer need to destroy you out of fear of what you might do to me.
It views life from a holistic perspective, not having to take a side on every issue. It no longer labels and divides people by their value and worth to us. You can sit back and observe a situation whatever it may be from politics to religion without rendering judgment and causing more conflict and division.
Where scientists and engineers need absolutes that dualistic thinking provides, that type thinking cannot effectively deal with other aspects of our life. The dualistic mind is incapable of processing the intangible things of faith, the mystery of God, suffering, death, and the question of who I am and why I am here.
It is virtually impossible to love as Christ commands us to love our neighbor as oneself without a radical transformation in our thinking. My human judging machine without a spiritual change continues judging evaluating and making pronouncements of who is worthy and acceptable even in my relationship with God. (The Deception of Spiritual Pride)
The spiritual danger in dualist thinking is I conclude what I believe about Christ is how everybody else should think and feel about Christ.
A relationship with God provides us the authority, structure, and identity we all need and seek in our lives. However, more times than not, it remains a darkened way of thinking and believing we are genuine followers of Christ because we have the truth, and others don’t. If your theology doesn’t cause you to love others more, accept people who are different than you, then you need to question what you believe. If you still critique everyone by your set of values and belief, you need to let Christ convert your mind and heart. Otherwise, you remain a human judging machine still in need of a cure.
Scripture:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV
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