THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE MIND IS RENEWED

psychoanalytic theory. In psychoanalysis, a therapist uses free association and

dream interpretation to enable a person to verbalize any repressed instinctual

drives in the unconscious mind. The therapist seeks to modify the emotions and

behavior by making the patient aware of the origin and effects of unconscious

emotional conflict in the hope of eliminating or diminishing anxiety. In psychoan-

alytic theory, the psyche has three major mental constructs: the ID, the SUPER-

EGO, and the EGO.

The ID

The ID is the source of a person's unconscious instinctive impulses and

desires. In Biblical terms we might call the ID the "bowels" (splanchna--source of

affections) or the "heart" (kardia--source of the real person). The wise man said,

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the

issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).

Jesus told his disciples it was not what went into the mouth that defiled a

man, but what came out of his mouth,

But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,

adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blas-

phemies: These are the things which defile a man

(Matt. 15:18-20).

For the sake of our discussion, I will equate the heart of man with the ID,

for out of it proceeds the issues of life. However, not only does the ID harbor the

desires and instincts, but it also has the hurts, the traumas, and the effects of the

sins that have been committed against us.

The SUPEREGO

The SUPEREGO is a partially conscious part of the psyche that has identified

itself with parents, grandparents or others and has formed from the teachings or

values of those persons a moral standard of behavior or an ethical value system.

The SUPEREGO is divided into two parts: the CONSCIENCE and the EGO IDEAL.

The CONSCIENCE is the morally self-critical part of our minds that deter-

mines our concepts of right and wrong, good and evil, acceptable and non-accept-

able behavior. We are not born with a set of values; our concepts of right and

wrong, good and evil, acceptable and unacceptable are learned.

The EGO IDEAL is our self image, and it incorporates our life's goals and

aspirations--the type of individual we wish to be. Some of us have been scripted

by our parents to be a certain kind of person, and we spend our lives acting out

the script they have handed to us.

The EGO

The EGO is the "I," the conscious self, the central part of the personality

which deals with reality and is influenced by social forces. The ego acts as a

mediator. It seeks to resolve the conflict between the impulses from the ID and

the ethical restraints from the SUPEREGO, thereby reducing anxiety. It is through

the EGO that we express ourselves to the world. The world influences the EGO,

and the EGO helps shape our world as we interact with social forces.

MENTAL MECHANISMS, sometimes called defense mechanisms, are

processes, operating unconsciously, by which the ego or superego seeks to

resolve emotional conflict and gain freedom from anxiety. When instincts or

desires rise within us seeking to find expression to the world, the self-concept and

the ethical values in the superego (the conscience and the ego ideal) may come in

conflict with these desires or instincts, with the result that anxiety or mental

conflict arises. The ego then seeks a way to reduce this anxiety through mental

mechanisms.

For instance, you may feel guilty about your thoughts or feelings, so you

accuse others of that activity in order to resolve the guilt. You have projected

your guilt upon others. Or you may become angry and desire to punch someone

in the nose; however, your superego reminds you that "you must turn the other

cheek"; therefore, you suppress that anger. You go home, and the little dog runs

out to see you. You yell at the little dog. You feel better. You could not strike

the person, but you can yell at your little dog. This helps you to reduce the

anxiety you feel about being angry. These are simple examples: however, we use

many defense mechanisms to help us relieve our anxiety and maintain our mental

balance.

PORTRAIT OF A SINNER

As we have discussed the various aspects of the personality and the

operation of the mind in maintaining mental balance and in reducing anxiety as

psychological theory presents them, we have tried to lay a foundation for under-

standing the process by which the Holy Spirit renews the mind. Also, we previ-

ously discussed many scriptures related to the need for the renewal of the mind.

The most important need for the renewing of the Holy Spirit in the life of the

individual is seen in the tragic condition of man without God as set forth by the

Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans. Paul paints this graphic portrait of the

sinner:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against

all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who

hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that

which may be known of God is manifest in them; for

God hath shewed it unto them....Because that when

they knew God, they glorified him not as God, nei-

ther were thankful; but became vain in their imagina-

tions, and their foolish heart was darkened...they

became fools, And changed the glory of the incor-

ruptible God into an image made like to corruptible

man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creep-

ing things. Wherefore God also gave them up to

uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to

dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and wor-

shipped and served the creature more than the Cre-

ator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause

God gave them up unto vile affections...And even as

they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,

God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those

things which are not convenient; Being filled with all

unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetous-

ness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate,

deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of

God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil

things, disobedient to parents, without understand-

ing, covenant breakers, without natural affection,

implacable, unmerciful (Rom. 1:18-31).

This is the portrait of man without God. The one reason for such a dismal

picture is SIN.