God’s call to His children is to live a separate life. A life of opposite. We are to be light in darkness, peace in chaos, joy during grief, love in turmoil, we are to turn the other cheek, forgive when we’ve been wronged, we are to love and serve our enemies (just as Jesus loved and served Judas the night He was betrayed), we are to be salt in this tasteless world. We are called to be holy and acceptable unto Him – weird, nuts, crazy, different, close minded as the world may call us.

Being close minded isn’t all that bad though. Being close minded, is in fact, a great thing as a follower of Christ! I would take it as a compliment any day. 

If I was to allow all the things of this world to seep into my mind I would be a wreck. In fact, I have done just this, and I’ve ended up in the hospital after overdoses, I’ve found myself homeless because I was more concerned about a high than a place to live, I’ve suffered consequences in my marriage because I wanted to drink rather than listen to my God’s convictions. NO, I will not be open minded, because my God calls me to live a life that is full of love, but opposite of what the world says is right. God calls me to protect my mind, to close it off to the things of this world.

If you are not a follower of Christ then you’re probably not going to fully understand this, and that’s ok. My prayer is that perhaps you might still glean some truth from this, or that God might plant a seed in your heart to grow a tree of Life for Him later. Maybe you know Jesus, you’ve asked Him into your life but you’re not seeking Him, or you’re withholding a part of your heart from Him: hear me when I say that there is nothing in this world more satisfying than giving your entire heart over to Him.

When we protect our minds, we are protecting our very life. Whatever it is that you ponder on, that you think about, that you allow to enter into your mind will settle in your heart. And from your heart flows the very springs of your life (Proverbs 4:23). If all I’m doing is stuffing my mind full of sin, of worldly, worthless things then what do you suppose is going to begin flowing out of me? Selfish, sinful behavior. I grew up in a home that taught me what you listen to (music, podcasts, radio, etc) and what you watch (tv shows, movies, news, etc) will eventually shape how you act. If you grew up in church it’s likely that you sang a song as a child with these lyrics: “Be careful little eyes what you see…Be careful little feet where you go…Be careful little hands what you do…Be careful little ears what you hear…” There is great wisdom in those words.

We should get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is prevalent, and we should humbly accept the word planted in us, which can save us. Do not simply listen to the word, and so deceive yourself. Do what it says. Don’t you know that friendship with the world is enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without any reason that He jealously longs for the Spirit He has caused to dwell in us? If anyone, then, knows the good they should be doing and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. Oh dear friends, I implore you to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. (James 1:21-22; 4:4-5, 17; 1 Peter 2:11)

Jesus does not show partiality. Why should we? We are His ambassadors, His representatives. Every action, every word, every thought reflects our relationship with our Christ. I for one, would like to remain submissive to the One who created me. For His ways are high above my ways, and His thoughts greater than mine. My desire is to fulfill His calling – to be pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Am I close minded? Yes. And for good reason.

I pray that those of you who follow after Christ would also consider and choose to be close minded. For those that deny God, I pray for your salvation, because I do believe that there is only one way to Heaven: through Jesus Christ the Son who said, “I am the Way, I am the Truth, and I am the Light. No one gets to my Father except through Me.”

May it all be for your glory, O Lord.