Have you considered what it means to be “open-minded”? How does this virtue in our culture relate to being a disciple of Jesus Christ? Does the Scripture call us to be open-minded? Most people want to be thought of as an open-minded person willing to accept or entertain new ideas from anyone at anytime. But practically, how does an open-minded person say with integrity, “Jesus is Lord”? How can they stand firm in the faith and be accepting of ideas and doctrines that are contrary to Scripture?
The Scripture talks about the mind and has specific things it is suppose to do. We are to love the Lord with all our mind. We are to have our mind renewed so that we can be transformed and different from the world. We are to put on the mind of Christ. And we are to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Jesus Christ.
But if I am open-minded, how do I take every thought captive and make it obedient to Jesus Christ? I cannot make my thoughts obedient to Christ if they go against what He teaches in His Word. Those are the very thoughts I must make obedient. The only way is to allow Jesus to have the final say. It is His opinion on the matter that becomes the truth and authority I live by. He is the standard and nothing can compromise it.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians with this very concern when he says, “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” (2 Cor. 11:2-4)
There is plenty of teaching in the church that asks for open-mindedness. Redefining marriage and sexual purity are two of the biggest we face in our culture. But I am afraid that we are being deceived and led astray by this so-called virtue. Several churches have accepted a different gospel than the one preached in the Scriptures.
To be “open-minded” is really to be double-minded, or even triple-minded. It is to hold a position that is really no position at all. There is no place to stand. James warns that those who are double-minded are like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. They are unstable in all they do (James 1:6-8). That is a great picture of what it is like living by every new fad, ideology, or progressive doctrine that comes along.
Please don’t get the wrong idea. I love to hear new ideas, perspectives, and thoughts. We need to consider, evaluate and weigh all kinds of options. However, for a disciple, each one must submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
If a Christian is not open-minded does that make him close-minded? No, it makes him single-minded with a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. He is one who believes the Word of God and submits to its authority, especially with his mind. This disciple has a mature and persevering faith no longer tossed by changing doctrines, theologies, ideologies, or fads. He hears the words of Jesus and puts them into practice. The Word of God that stands forever becomes his rock. That man built his house on the Rock. And his house will stand.
This is a hard word because it is not what the world so readily accepts. Perhaps that is a good sign we are on the right path as disciples. I encourage you to look at your thoughts on this subject and check out the Scriptures. Are you standing firm in the faith or do you put up with a different gospel easily enough? Every thought is to be made obedient to Christ.
Mike Hudson 