Be Fully Persuaded in Your Own Mind
One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. (Romans 14:5 KJV)
One of the most enlightening truths the Spirit is teaching me about faith is the pivotal role of the mind in believing. This insight is reshaping much of my Pentecostal understanding of how faith operates. In Romans 14:5, Paul provides us with a practical definition of faith: “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Let’s explore what this means.
The term “fully persuaded” means “to be fully convinced” or “to be completely confident and certain of something.” This concept resonates with God’s definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Essentially, faith is assurance and conviction. Paul emphasizes persuasion here. It’s simple: faith is being convinced that what God has said is true. That conviction something you are aware of and something over which you have control. Faith is not a mysterious process that happens in our spirit while our minds believe otherwise. Indeed, your spirit cannot truly believe in God while your mind is not convinced. This challenges some Pentecostal perspectives that may obscure the true understanding of faith among believers.
Paul further clarifies that we should be fully convinced in our minds. He pinpoints precisely the sphere of our conviction, pre-empting potential misunderstandings about faith involving the human spirit versus the human mind. The human spirit operates in and through your mind. Understand this: if you are fully persuaded in your mind, you are not only aware of it, but you are also in control. Therefore you can train your heart and mind to accept God’s Word and be convinced of its truth. You can grow in faith by meditating on the Word and renewing your mind in it.
Meditate
Think on the words of Romans 14:5 in light of this devotional. Remember, as you contemplate, you are using your mind, thus meditating on the Word and training your mind to be persuaded by it.
Apply the Word
Do you truly accept the words God speaks to you in the Bible as true? Are you persuaded about them, or do you assume you truly believe them—your spirit—when in reality, your mind is not convinced? Begin by understanding what faith really is, and then train your mind in the Word and in intimate communion with the Spirit to be persuaded.
Pray
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you increase in your conviction of the truthfulness of His words to you.
Recommended Reading
- How to Train Your Heart to Believe God’s Word
- How the Spirit Produces Faith in Our Hearts
- If Thou Wouldest Believe, thou Shouldest See the Glory of God
- The Three-Tier Pyramid Of Believing
- View All Deshen Daily Devotionals
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