The Formation of Character: The Operations of the Mind and the Invisible Influences That Shape Character

The Origin and Subject Matter of Our Thoughts

The subjects of our thoughts do not originate in our minds; they are externally sourced. Though the process of thinking is a function of the mind, the mind does not originate the subjects it contemplates or the concepts with which it reasons. This is an intriguing concept, yet very little attention has been given to it. Not only is it intriguing, but it is also the crux of the matter in everything pertaining to character formation and personality. We are what we mentally consume. The question is: What are we consuming? What is its origin? And what purpose does it serve? Our thoughts constitute the most fundamental and essential material from which we build our characters, and our characters determine both the nature of our lives and our destinies. How essential it is, then, that we understand the origin and nature of the material that constitutes our thoughts—the subject matter of our thoughts. I am convinced that there are only two primary intelligent spiritual beings from whom the material of our thoughts originates. These two are the originators of the subjects and concepts that constitute the contents of our thoughts, influencing and directing our emotions, desires, appetites, and the tenor of our minds as a whole. They distribute this material through various secondary means of communication, such as nature, various forms of education, traditions, and culture. They also communicate directly with the human mind, personally and through their respective angelic agencies.

The Battle Behind Every Thought

There is a great controversy taking place over the true nature of goodness. Two beings are engaged in a war over what is truly good for the beings that populate the universe, both in this world and in other worlds. This controversy is not merely a disagreement over ethics, but a disagreement over the very character of God and the principles upon which the universe is governed. These two beings, God and His Adversary, have been engaged in this conflict for millennia, disputing what material true love is made of. The controversy is not merely over information, but over the very definition of goodness, love, and reality. Yet its weapons are information. In this conflict of the ages, information is not neutral; it functions as a weapon because it shapes thought, character, and ultimately destiny. We are directly involved in this controversy, for we were created to be both the recipients and the imparters of God’s character. Therefore, we are still continually receiving and distributing the material from which character is formed. The tragedy is that we now receive and impart influences from either side of the great controversy.

Ideas Are Not Spiritually Neutral

The world is full of information, and it is from this material that we form our characters. Character, in turn, becomes the governing system of the mind, for “as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Whatever dominates our thoughts ultimately determines the nature of our lives. This information comes in many forms, yet only in two natures: one is pure material, fitted to build an enduring, noble, and righteous character after the image of God; the other is impure material, fitted to build a corrupt character that leads to death. Now, the information comes through the sciences, philosophies, religions, spirits both good and evil, cultures, traditions, the media, nature, and countless other avenues. The challenge, then, is this: How do we determine what material is good? What data should we choose for the formation of our thinking patterns? More often than we realize, every piece of information is accompanied by a spirit seeking to make an impression upon the mind. Ideas are not spiritually neutral; they are advanced by personal intelligences in the context of the great controversy. Herein lies the problem: our failure to discern the nature and purpose of the data, our failure to comprehend the heart and agendas behind the information. Therein lies our danger. We do not inherently know what is good or evil. At birth, even our consciences are not rightly calibrated. Our problem is not the abundance of information, but the lack of discernment. The issue is not merely intellectual ignorance, but a failure of spiritual discernment. How crucial it is, then, to test every theory and the spirit behind it. We must test and prove the material from which we are building our characters. We desperately need a trustworthy standard by which to test every science and philosophy. In order to live life to the fullest and become, both in this life and in the life to come, the best version of ourselves according to the purpose for which we were created, it is indispensable to possess a perfect standard of truth upon which to base every choice and by which to test every material we use in the formation of character. The problem is that we often uphold as the standards by which we test what is good, what is true, and what is real the very things that are poisonous and insidious to our well-being. This is no small matter; it is one of the most dangerous weapons employed against humanity. The Adversary of God and humanity has mastered the art of using information to the detriment of mankind. Daily, hints are communicated through the media and entertainment that point toward a hostile being who hates every fiber of truth as it is revealed in the Scriptures. It is this being who perverts and twists every piece of information intended for the formation of noble and righteous character to produce the very opposite effect. 

The Infallible Standard

It is worth noting that the Adversary does not, nor can he ever, create anything new, but he is an Archdeceiver. He has mastered the art of deception, adding to everything already existing a pinch of lies and thereby changing the nature and purpose thereof. God provided truth as the only material from which to build character. All creation was originally designed to communicate this truth, even the knowledge of the only true God, the truth about existence, its nature, and its purpose. Now nature itself, though it still communicates truth, is marred almost nigh to obliteration. That which still reveals truth is being misinterpreted and distorted to communicate the opposite. Yet still, all things that pertain to life and godliness, god-likeness, have been abundantly provided in the knowledge of Christ and the promises of Scripture. The Bible has, for millennia, proven itself to be an infallible standard of truth. Centuries before the science of archaeology, the Scriptures soundly and accurately traced sacred history. When no historian believed that there was ever a nation called the Hittites or a man called Sargon, the Scriptures recorded these truths. Years before psychology could discover the relationship between our thoughts and our behaviors, the Scriptures had already declared that “as he thinketh in his heart so is he… out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Furthermore, centuries before psychology discovered neuroplasticity, it was already written, “be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Again and again, the Scriptures have proven themselves to be no ordinary book. Before the establishment of the so-called great America, the Scriptures had long predicted its rise and nature. To mention but a few things, since if I were to write in detail every piece of evidence concerning the validity of Scripture, I would be left with no space to write. Historically, philosophically, psychologically, prophetically, and in many other fields, it has stood unrivalled. What better standard is there by which to test every concept, every theory, every scientific discovery, every social norm or custom, and every bit of information found in the sphere of mankind and spirit beings than the Bible? 

Pardon the limitations of my mental abilities. Had I the tongue and angelic ability to write, I would set before you, with heavenly clearness, the beauty and power of the Word of God. The principles by which every philosophy, science, custom, and influence are to be tested are found in the character of God as revealed in Christ and the Scriptures. It is not only the mere principles that are found therein, but also the mentally reviving and rejuvenating power that purifies the mental powers, exalts them, and ennobles the human mind to discern spiritual and the most exalted subjects of existence, is found in the Bible. Human language is inadequate when speaking of divine things. Therefore, like the Psalmist, I invite you to test the Word of God for yourself, and you will find that it is more to be desired than much fine gold and sweeter also than honey. If only you could suspend your judgment in testing the Word of God, for “The essence of critical thinking is suspended judgment; and the essence of this suspense is to determine the nature of the problem before proceeding to attempts at its solution. This, more than any other thing, transforms mere inference into tested inference, suggested conclusions into proof.” John Dewey (1910), How We Think, p. 74. It is crucial that, in approaching the Bible, one should not interpret it through the lenses of preconceived ideas and assumptions, but allow it to speak for itself. In the Scriptures, you will find the infallible standard and wisdom by which to test every brick of information you use to build your character; and more than that, you will find in them the most invaluable source of pure material from which to build your character.