… they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.
Summary: In this passage, Paul returns to the basic principle of spiritual life: We have to be born again by the power of Jesus Christ to have any hope of understanding spiritual things.
As we begin this meditation, we should review where we are.
Most of chapter two has been about the dangers of false teachings. Paul wants us to remain focused on the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and not be distracted by anything.
In verse eighteen, he turns his attention to teachers who employ “false humility” as a tool for winning people’s trust. He also warns against their teachings that detract from Jesus. He specifically mentions “the worship of angels,” a principle that applies to any teaching that distracts us from Jesus.
In this passage, he returns to the topic of recognizing false teachers. He describes them as “puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.”
Paul’s words introduce us to the idea of a “spiritual mind” and an “unspiritual mind.”
What is an “unspiritual mind?”
The answer is found in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. Jesus says:
“Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:6)
We are all born with an “unspiritual mind.”
The unspiritual mind is separated from God. Whatever knowledge of the spiritual realm it has is limited. Before we know God directly, we know about him. However, without being born again, we do not have access to God’s Spirit, our guide and teacher. Imagine someone who has not been born again attempting to teach on spiritual matters. It would be like a blind man giving a tour through an art museum. A blind tour guide memorizes what they have been told is there, or they make things up.
Without the Holy Spirit, we are mostly limited to the physical world around us. The “flesh,” as Jesus calls it, is concerned with those things that “feel” good to the flesh. The “spiritual mind” is different. It sees beyond the physical realm and past the desires of the flesh. More importantly, it is aware of God. One of the dangers of an unspiritual mind is the possibility of being influenced by ungodly spirits.
When we are “born again” (John 3:3), our spirit is reborn, and we are given a fresh start in our relationship with God. Added to this is God’s own Spirit, the Holy Spirit (John 14:26, 15:26). God’s Spirit testifies about Jesus and teaches us about God’s will.
The best defense against unspiritual minds is a mind and spirit, devoted to Jesus.
Application: Listen to the Spirit’s teaching.
Food for Thought: Where do “idle notions” come from?
Where do “idle notions” come from?
Proverbs 16:27-29
27 Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.
28 An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
29 Wickedness loves company—and leads others into sin.
We are all eternal beings, confined within temporary physical bodies. Once we have received Christ, we do not retire, instead we are called to seek spiritual growth and allow Him to minister to others around us. We remain on earth to serve God now.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
If your gift is serving, and you do not serve, the body suffers. If your function is to lead and you fail to do so, the church will lack leadership. Ephesians 4:11-13
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. And warn those who are idle and disruptive. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14
Thank you, Ron!
“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop…”
It is interesting how many common saying are found in the Bible!
The next words are telling:
“… idle lips are his mouthpiece.”
“Idle lips” speak the words of the devil.
Gods word is amazing!
Thank you for your morning Blog Jeff!
Ron
This is a good question. In thinking and meditating on it, it reminded me of some behavior that I have seen in myself and in others.
Another way of saying “idle notions” would be “ideas without implementation.” That is to say, ideas that appear valuable but offer no real solution because there is no action behind them. Perhaps because the person chooses not to implement them for one reason or another, or because the idea itself is unactionable (impossible).
When I was a drinker, I did this a lot. Wake up in the morning and decide I was going to “turn over a new leaf.” I would come up with all these ideas of how I was going to make that happen, and it would make me feel less ashamed. But the reality of the situation was that I never followed through. That is because the drinking was a fruit, but I had not sought to address the root.
What I was really seeking was release from my sinful nature, redemption, and a clear path to goodness. Instead of humbling myself and calling on the name of Christ, I sought to accomplish this through my own design. Ultimately, something I could “feel” like I “controlled.” I think this is where “idle notions” come from. The recognition of the need for truth, but denying the need for Christ to see the truth live in our lives. The notions are idle because they are cannot achieve the intended result, but they make one “feel” like there is hope. Pride comes in because the notions make one “feel” like they have accomplished something on their own, on their own terms. In a very real sense, placing oneself on the same “level” as Christ.
I think a clear litmus test for “idle notions” is the result of those notions. If they result in no result in our life, then they were not worth the calories it took to assemble them in our mind.
The Bible speaks about the results of our faith. That the result of placing faith in Christ, making Him Lord of our life, is that we come more like Him as He was when He was in the flesh. More like Him as He is now.
James 2:14-17 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Chris,
Thank you for sharing part of your testimony! I like your literal exposition of what “idle” means, too. It makes me think of a car with the engine running while the gear shift is in neutral.
Good and interesting comments as always.
There is certainly a battle for the mind. I found it interesting that according to my Bible hub app, the Greek word for “idle notions” is simply the normal word for our mind. It refers to our mind, understanding, intellect. What appears to make our mind idle in regards to God’s truth, is that as an unbeliever our mind has not been regenerated or transformed.
It would appear that idle notions come from an absence of Christ and an absence of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12: 2: 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.
2 Corinthians 10: 5: We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Thanks, Rich!
The transformative power of Christ is absolutely needed to overcome the idleness of our lives.