Setting the Mind on the Spirit - The Vanishing Verb

[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by Igzy

ZNP, When Lee taught to set the mind on the spirit he meant focus your attention on what you are feeling in your spirit.

Really? Can you give me a reference on that?

I specifically recall being told that reading the Bible = setting the mind on the Spirit. Praying = setting the mind on the Spirit. Going to a meeting = setting the mind on the Spirit. Singing a hymn = setting the mind on the Spirit.

We were also taught that "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God". In other words, spending time in the Bible, in fellowship, in prayer, in meetings increases the opportunity to "hear the word of God" and therefore increases the possible amount of faith you might receive.

So unlike your idea of the figure skater thinking about their feet, I felt that the teaching was the more time I spend "practicing" the better I will be in the game. Just like a piano player who practices until the music becomes part of his fingers (a concept that recent studies of the brain have proven).

Now that might be the Houston version, don't know. I was not in the LRC when the Roman's life studies were given. I do know that this is what I was taught in Houston and it does seem to match the word and my personal experience. It seems reasonable since this is how piano players, and basketball players, and even figure skaters learn their craft (see Perfecting Training, Chapter 38, Sect. 3, Practicing to be in the Spirit). So then, "Let us reason together".

Witness Lee: "To read the Bible, to recite the verses of the Bible, to fellowship with the Lord, to pray, and to fellowship with the saints around the Bible or about the spiritual things helps you to mind the things of the Spirit." (Perfecting Training, Chapter 37, Section 3).

[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah

Really? Can you give me a reference on that?

I specifically recall being told that reading the Bible = setting the mind on the Spirit. Praying = setting the mind on the Spirit. Going to a meeting = setting the mind on the Spirit. Singing a hymn = setting the mind on the Spirit.

We were also taught that "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God". In other words, spending time in the Bible, in fellowship, in prayer, in meetings increases the opportunity to "hear the word of God" and therefore increases the possible amount of faith you might receive.

So unlike your idea of the figure skater thinking about their feet, I felt that the teaching was the more time I spend "practicing" the better I will be in the game. Just like a piano player who practices until the music becomes part of his fingers (a concept that recent studies of the brain have proven).

Now that might be the Houston version, don't know. I was not in the LRC when the Roman's life studies were given. I do know that this is what I was taught in Houston and it does seem to match the word and my personal experience. It seems reasonable since this is how piano players, and basketball players, and even figure skaters learn their craft (see Perfecting Training, Chapter 38, Sect. 3, Practicing to be in the Spirit). So then, "Let us reason together".

Witness Lee: "To read the Bible, to recite the verses of the Bible, to fellowship with the Lord, to pray, and to fellowship with the saints around the Bible or about the spiritual things helps you to mind the things of the Spirit." (Perfecting Training, Chapter 37, Section 3).

I am confused. I was hoping someone would have cleared this up but apparently not.

1. Is my understanding of Romans 8:4-6 flawed?
2. If not how is my understanding of these verses any different from what WL taught in the verses I quoted?
3. If it is flawed what is the "acceptable" understanding?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah

I am confused. I was hoping someone would have cleared this up but apparently not.

1. Is my understanding of Romans 8:4-6 flawed?
2. If not how is my understanding of these verses any different from what WL taught in the verses I quoted?
3. If it is flawed what is the "acceptable" understanding?

Nigel is not saying that to "set the mind on the mind" is inherently wrong, since some other translations use this same wording, but how WL built a house of cards upon this unique reading. The article highlights some of these abuses. As always, WL said some great things alongside his more extreme sayings. Also, practices seemed to deteriorate as time went on.

For example, I still treasure the practice of praying the scriptures, much as Ray Graver used historical patterns of this in his booklet "Lord, Thou saidst." But how this ever deteriorated into merely shouting scriptures or reciting outlines with PSRP in beyond me.

[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by Ohio

For example, I still treasure the practice of praying the scriptures, much as Ray Graver used historical patterns of this in his booklet "Lord, Thou saidst."

I thought you weren't allowed to say this on this forum.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah

I thought you weren't allowed to say this on this forum.

Shhhhh! Maybe they won't catch us.

[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Ohio

For example, I still treasure the practice of praying the scriptures, much as Ray Graver used historical patterns of this in his booklet "Lord, Thou saidst." But how this ever deteriorated into merely shouting scriptures or reciting outlines with PSRP in beyond me.

Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah

I thought you weren't allowed to say this on this forum.

Originally Posted by Ohio

Shhhhh! Maybe they won't catch us.

Sometimes you guys really crack me up

Actually what is not allowed are wisecracks about supposed heavy handed, prejudicial moderation

Anyways....I haven't read Ray Graver's book in quite a while, but I don't believe he was able to give any quotes that support the kind of "pray-reading" that is practiced in the Local Church. And the reason he was not able is that no other Christians throughout history have practiced such a thing. The Local Church has produced other similar works that supposedly illustrate "calling on the Lord" as well, but those "proofs" fall flat on their face as well.

After many years away from the garlic room, and after many years of reading, observing and experiencing what other evangelical, orthodox Christians have practiced since the beginning, I believe these Local Church mainstay practices (pray reading and calling on the Lord) are best left for INDIVIDUAL practice and not for corporate practice in Church meetings. In my observation and experience over decades in the LC, these practices become somewhat mindless and ritualistic, and even worse they have a tendency to become a kind of performance. So they become very unprofitable - the saints are not edified or helped, and God is not praised or glorified.

[Ohio]

Here is the article on a blog complete with pics.