Gatekeeping The Mind of God

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Gatekeeping The Mind of God

“The things God has prepared for those who love Him— these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit…In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.”- 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, NIV

Many years ago, I foolishly thought I had all the spiritual answers that I would ever need, held together by the sliver of cultural Christianity kept in my back pocket. I was raised in a Christian family, baptized at an early age, and I believed the Bible. In young adulthood, I continued weekly church attendance for a motivating message and to keep God’s favor. Prayer was nothing more than “I need something, God.” I would read one short daily devotional, and occasionally opened God’s Word, though it didn’t transform me. What was missing?

As a believer, the Holy Spirit lived within me, but ashamedly, I grieved Him daily, giving Him a grain-sized space in my heart. God’s Word is clear: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30, ESV). Without my humbled obedience, surrender, and an intentional drawing from the well of the Holy Spirit, none of it worked for me, especially in understanding the Word of God. Perhaps you can relate.

But did you know?…

The Holy Spirit As Gatekeeper

Only the Holy Spirit reveals the mind of God to us. You can’t know the Lord otherwise, no matter how much you try in your own strength. Any and all are welcome to read the Bible, and many have accomplished it from cover to cover, understanding the words on each page.

However, without the revealing of God’s mind by the Holy Spirit, the Bible is simply human knowledge to the reader. Plenty of atheists, other non-believers and even Christians can quote scripture in their own human strength, but they don’t truly “know” it.

It’s the Holy Spirit that allows or prohibits one from hearing the voice of God as He speaks through the reading of His Word. The Holy Spirit teaches, gives understanding to scripture, helping to apply it to one’s daily life which no amount of human knowledge can replace (1 Corinthians 2:14, NIV). And for Christians, it may not be that the Holy Spirit isn’t living in you if you don’t hunger for God’s Word, nor understand it. But, you may be grossly grieving Him as I once did, limiting His supernatural power in your life. 

The Holy Spirit and the Word

To illustrate, let’s go back to the Garden, after the fall of humanity. The cherubim was charged to guard the Tree of Life upon Adam and Eve leaving paradise.

“[God] drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden He placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24, ESV). 

Man sinned, and could not have access to eat of the Tree of Life, which gives eternal life. Otherwise, to eat of the Tree of Life would keep us eternally separated from the Father, eternally living in sin (Genesis 3:22, ESV).

Can you imagine, us as God’s children, living eternally but separated from our Heavenly Father? We can thank Almighty God that He was merciful in not ending man’s life immediately, for He had a divine plan for reconciliation through Jesus Christ. We can also be thankful for His grace in not allowing us to live an eternally broken and painful life, separated from Him.

The Tree of Life has been considered a metaphor for Jesus Christ. 

The flaming swords that the cherubim wielded to guard the Tree of Life- the Holy Spirit- guarded against any access to eternal life (Jesus). Eternal life would not be accessed by any man until Jesus stepped down from the splendors of heaven to become God Incarnate, to die on a cross for our sins, and to be resurrected. For Jesus said, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, ESV).

And In The Word Revealed?

Jesus is God. He is the Word: 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5, NASB1995).

No longer a flaming sword to prevent our access to a sinful eternal life, what a blessing that we have the gift of the Holy Spirit indwelling in us today.

Though Jesus gives us the free gift of salvation and life everlasting with Him, the Holy Spirit gives us access to know the mind of God. His supernatural wisdom is shared in a variety of ways, but especially through our reading and meditating on His Word.

Check List

Perhaps you frequently find scripture to be incomprehensible, or you don’t feel you’re hearing from God while in His Word. Scripture says we must come with a repentant heart, earnestly seeking Him.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8, ESV). “And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22, NASB1995).

Consider taking it to God this week, asking the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Though not a complete list, you can meditate and pray over the following:

• Unconfessed bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness towards someone (Matthew 6:14-15, NIV) 

• Self-deprecating words over yourself (Proverbs 18:21)

• Unrepentant sin or willfully choosing a sinful lifestyle (Hebrews 10:26-27)

• Pride and lack of surrender and humbleness (Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 3:34)

And we can pray:

Lord Jesus, thank you for sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to indwell in my heart. l pray to know you more intimately each day, through the reading, meditating, and understanding of your Word. Holy Spirit, open the gates of spiritual wisdom and understanding, showing me how to apply them to my life each day. Lord Jesus, I pray all of these things in your powerful and almighty name. Amen.

Health  

This Week’s Health Pick

Choosing Healthy Cookware

Using toxic cookware can lead to the ingestion or inhalation of heavy metals and synthetic chemicals, which may accumulate in the body over time. Health risks vary significantly depending on the material of the cookware and how it is maintained.

Primary Dangers by Cookware Material

• Nonstick (Teflon/PTFE) Cookware:

  • Toxic Fumes: When heated above 500°F (260°C), traditional nonstick coatings release hazardous fumes that can cause "polymer fume fever" or "Teflon flu," characterized by chills, headaches, and fever. These fumes are famously lethal to pet birds.

  • PFAS Exposure: Many nonstick pans contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals". Chronic exposure is linked to hormone disruption, immune system dysfunction, and certain cancers.

  • Microplastics: A single scratch on a Teflon-coated pan can release over 9,000 microscopic plastic particles into food.

• Aluminum Cookware:

  • Metal Leaching: Aluminum is a neurotoxin that can leach into acidic foods (like tomatoes or citrus). Chronic high exposure has been linked to brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and kidney problems.

  • Lead and Cadmium: Some imported or artisanal aluminum cookware may also leach lead, cadmium, or arsenic.

• Ceramic Cookware:

  • Lead in Glazes: While modern, high-quality ceramic is considered safe, older or poorly made ceramic cookware may have lead-based glazes that can leach into food.

• Copper Cookware:

  • Copper Toxicity: Uncoated or damaged copper pans can leach excessive copper into food, which may cause stomach distress or suppress zinc levels, weakening the immune system.

Factors That Increase Risk

• Damaged Surfaces: Scratched, chipped, or peeling coatings are significantly more likely to release toxins than pristine ones.

• High Temperatures: Cooking at very high heat (above 500°F) degrades coatings and accelerates chemical leaching.

• Acidic Foods: Ingredients like tomatoes, vinegar, and lemon juice react with metals like aluminum, copper, and stainless steel (nickel/chromium), increasing leaching.

• Age: Cookware made before 2014-2015 may contain PFOA, a particularly harmful PFAS that has since been phased out of U.S. manufacturing.

Choosing Healthy Cookware

To choose the best non-toxic, healthy cookware, prioritize materials that do not leach chemicals or heavy metals, such as 100% ceramic, stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel. Avoid PTFE (Teflon) and ensure non-stick coatings are certified PFOA/PFAS-free. Key options include versatile Lodge Cast Iron and durable All-Clad Stainless Steel.

Top Non-Toxic Cookware Materials

• 100% Ceramic (Uncoated): The safest option, as it is inert and won't leach chemicals, even at high heat.

• Stainless Steel (18/10 or 304): Durable, non-reactive, and safe. Ensure the stainless steel is high quality to prevent nickel leaching.

• Cast Iron: Naturally non-stick when seasoned, this material lasts forever and adds dietary iron, but it is heavy and requires maintenance.

• Carbon Steel: Similar to cast iron but lighter and smoother, ideal for searing and high heat.

• Ceramic-Coated Non-Stick: A safer alternative to Teflon, using sand-derived coatings to provide non-stick properties without PTFE/PFOA.

• Glass: Highly non-reactive and one of the safest materials for baking.

How to Evaluate and Choose

• Look for "PFAS-free": Many "green" pans still contain coatings, so verify they are PTFE-free and PFOA-free.

• Avoid Aluminum: While some cookware uses an aluminum core for heat distribution, ensure it is fully clad in stainless steel to prevent food contact.

• Assess Cooking Style:

  • For Eggs/Delicate Foods: Choose ceramic-coated pans.

  • For High Heat/Searing: Choose cast iron or carbon steel.

  • For Versatility: Choose stainless steel.

• Consider Durability: Ceramic coatings can chip or lose their non-stick property over time, while cast iron and stainless steel offer superior longevity.

Tips for Maintaining Safety

• Avoid High Heat: Use low to medium heat, especially with ceramic coatings, to prevent damaging the surface.

• Use Proper Utensils: Avoid metal utensils on ceramic or seasoned pans; opt for wood or silicone.

• Replace Damaged Pans: Replace ceramic pans if they chip or crack.

• Hand Wash: Hand washing with mild soap is generally recommended over dishwashers to maintain coatings.

In case you missed it, you can check out last week’s devotional and health article below. Or click here for the full archive.

_{†All health information in the articles is exclusively gathered from clinical/medical resources that have been industry vetted, with no conflict of interest in the information they present/publish.} 

_{*Holy Nutrition does not diagnose, treat, or give medical advice. Information provided is not medical advice and should not be relied upon for diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a healthcare provider or medical practitioner for any health concerns, questions, or before making any decisions related to your health. Individual health conditions and needs may vary, and therefore, professional medical advice is essential for personalized guidance. Holy Nutrition is not responsible for any harm or damage resulting from the user's reliance on the information contained in the articles.}