Once a man sitting in a car complained loudly about how foggy it was. He had hoped for a bright cheerful sunshiny day but alas...fog. Then he realized that the fog was not outside the car but inside it and the more he complained the more his breath fogged up the windows.
The un-renewed mind is like that. When we aren't thinking accurately we project a false reality but think we are discerning it. The un-renewed mind can affect us much like the condition pilots experience called spatial disorientation. In poor weather conditions with no visibility pilots lose an accurate sense of direction. Their plane can actually be upside down and they don't know it. The only safe way to navigate in those conditions is by instrument panel. 80% of the pilots in the U.S. don't have an instrument rating and aren't allowed to fly in bad conditions. Pilots flying in bad visibility without an instrument rating cause 40% of all plane crashes. A friend of mine who is an excellent pilot and skilled in flying by instruments told me that 100% of all pilots crash when under spatial disorientation and are navigating by feel.
To make a spiritual application we must realize our un-renewed minds are not our friends. At times we can't depend on how we feel or what we may think, particularly when what we feel and believe is contrary to our instrument panel -the Bible.
Paul the apostle wrote to the believers in Rome: "And 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." (Romans 12:2) In this same vein of thought Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." (John 8:31-31) If you aren't free you aren't believing the truth! It is that simple.
A friend of mine recently prayed, "Lord, I would like to know your opinion about something." The Lord responded, "I don't have opinions, I have truth!" Yes there are many opinions that float around in the world we live in. Many of them float through our minds even when we don't invite them. Psalm 91:4b says "His truth shall be your shield and buckler". His truth. Living life from God's viewpoint produces joy and happiness for Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly.
One last thought from the pen of the apostle Paul: "For to be carnally minded (un-renewed mind) is death but to be spiritually minded (renewed mind) is life and peace." (Romans 8:6)
It is time to think like Jesus. We need to fly by the instruments.