Brainwashed
For those who think of me as someone who is "brainwashed", I have a proposal to all of you. Would you like to be brainwashed like me?
Now before you get all cynical, let me state that I believe that we are ALL "brainwashed", in one way or the other. Our schools, parents, churches, religions, clubs, media, culture, TV, friends... they all have, over the years, brainwashed or indoctrinated us in so many ways we often miss to see. I know that the term is used in a negative way, but at the end of the day you are left with what you have and what you have needs to stand the turbulence of life and bring you the expected results, which can only be success and victory.
Therefore, the question that needs to be asked is with what and by whom do we prefer to be brainwashed. The brain is ours and the choice is ours. The washing, however, is not within our capabilities.
The Bible says: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom 12:2), "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind" (Eph 4:17)
In the above two verses, it is evident that the apostle Paul views gentiles or unbelievers as people who have been conformed to this world and walk in the futility of their minds. That's a very striking statement if we pause and think about it. What he is saying is that everyone in the world is like a zombie, a brainwashed machine, walking according to a futile imprinted command, which is sin.
"Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?" (Rom 6:16)
So according to Paul brainwashing can be summed up in two basic types: sin and obedience, and we can be influenced and receive our benefits according to who we accept as our "brain-washer", of course once we have been freed from both and given the opportunity to choose.
"Now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.." (Rom 6:22-23)
The apostle Paul continues to elaborate on the process of being brainwashed by sin by saying:
"Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Eph 4:18-19)
And later comes to compare it to the work of obedience in Christ as follows:
"But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." (Eph 4:20-24)
Righteousness and Holiness! Now that's something worthwhile! That is something worth living for in all eternity! That is the kind of results I'd rather have!
Before talking about not being conformed to (or brainwashed by) the world and being transformed (or brainwashed, as many call it) by the renewing of the mind, the apostle Paul begs the believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices to God (Rom 12:1). In other terms, surrendering our minds and bodies to God's grace to work in us, and produce in us a fruit which is holy and acceptable to God.
Finally, I would like to mention that all of us brainwashed Christians (as many call us) were once unrighteous sinners and disobedient unbelievers, but chose a better washing:
"The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God [...] And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor 6:8,11)
God invites all to be washed from all sins by the blood of Jesus Christ, who said: "For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Mt 26:28), and He invites all who are washed to live accordingly.
"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." (Heb 9:14)
Although many may wonder why the blood and why all this washing. The answer is that we are all sinners and our life is in the blood and atonement for sins can only be done through the blood (Lev 17:11). Our atonement as sinners can only be done through the blood of Jesus, who knew no sin and was made sin for us, so that we may become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21). Why? You might ask... It is because He loved us.
"To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (Rev 1:5-6)
We need His blood. We need it badly. The good news is that it is for free to all those who believe and approach with confession of sins and receive this marvelous grace... or "brainwashing", as some call it. God bless you!
