Nous

Introduction

To be a good, faithful, powerful Christian, am I truly willing to strip away everything until there is nothing left but me? No family, no surroundings, no history. Just me. Alone—not in the sense of solitude among others, but in the deeper, starker sense: no others at all. Just me before God. Could this total abandonment be the doorway to “Christ in me”?

What I’m speaking of is not isolation, but the complete surrender of worldly influence—the emptying of self so that God alone may fill the space. This is the path of sanctification. Not imitation, but impartation. Sanctification is not achieved by mimicking Christ—it is not the cause but the effect. Imitation flows from the truth already placed within us, not the other way around. (See my blog on Cause and Effect: click here) 

Sanctification was gifted the moment we first recognized the weight of Christ’s atonement on the cross. “It is finished,” yes—but only in the sense that the work was completed on His part. For it to exist in our lives, we must acknowledge its presence and live accordingly. Without our action—without our “yes” to His finished work—it remains distant, inactive.

“And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

The Greek word nous refers to a responsible intelligence, both natural and spiritual. And in Christianity, responsibility never departs from us. We are not passive recipients. We are accountable beings, called to live and act in both worlds with awareness and intention. This responsibility endures until we are welcomed into glory.

Being “in Christ” does not mean living an inert life under the blanket of “it is finished.” It means we remain actively engaged—asking, seeking, knocking—living with open eyes and a receptive heart. This is the nous in action, the divine intelligence we carry.

But this raises a powerful tension: How can we speak of abandonment and responsibility in the same breath? If I abandon everything and rely on God alone, how can I still be responsible for anything? Isn’t it all God? This seeming contradiction is the heart of the mystery. And to understand it, you must read on.

Ignorance

It’s sad to say, but many Christians live in ignorance. They seldom read the Bible, thinking that if Christ is in them, they are okay, saying, “He will bring to remembrance anything I need to know.” They do not pursue knowledge of any kind, spiritual or natural. Again, thinking God will take care of them because they are Born Again. And sadly, they live a lethargic life, I presume, hoping they will be OK until “God takes me home”. Their lives are meaningless accordingly to scriptures. They bury their talents in fear of doing something wrong or just not wanting to do anything that requires effort. They may go to church services, but this becomes social. They remember who was there and not what was said by the teacher or preacher.

Now, my wife and I are getting older. Our abilities to walk, stand, and sit for long periods are very limited. We are more often not well than well. We listen to Church services every Sunday and often listen to preaching and teaching during the week. We read many things, including the Bible, spiritually anointed books from well-known authors, and we read fiction and non-fiction books alike, for entertainment and relaxation. Being we are mostly housebound, we listen to the internet, increasing our knowledge of world events, researching personal interests, expanding our worldly knowledge, using much-appreciated discernment – a gift by God’s grace. And, we witness to family, neighbors, friends, and acquaintances often. Of course, we have our hobbies. For me, it is this blog among other things.

I am not saying this is what everyone should do when they get older, or even that I’m doing everything I should be doing. What I am saying is that our age has not stopped us, or anyone, from our spiritual and natural nous – responsible intelligence. To read my blog T-H-I-N-K, click here. 

Natural Nous

Children are not responsible for many things. Hopefully, they are taught by their parents, but more often than not by other educators. Some of these are nothing more than baby sitters or child health care workers, as they are called today. Ideally, they are taught in the way of the Spirit as directed by the scriptures. Most are not. Their brains need to develop a natural and spiritual nous of their own.

Mature adults should have responsible intelligence, but many do not. It seems that many continue to act as children even though society may call them mature. As the Bible says, “They are a law unto themselves – each person doing what is right in his or her mind”. What we speak with our mouths and what we know and think in our minds becomes what we call intelligence, and when we act out this intelligence, it is thought to be mature, and we are responsible for all. This is called natural nous. Natural in the sense that it did not come from employing the Spirit but from mankind himself and our circumstances.

Again, we know through the scriptures that mankind has no excuse for not following a Godly path throughout their lives. However, for whatever reason, they persist in following man rather than God, even if that man is himself. These are also natural nous.

“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse”. Romans 1:19-20

“For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” Romans 2:14-16”

Again, the scriptures state that these “heathens” are judged by conscience.

“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools…” Romans 1:21-23 ESV

Bewildered Nous

Unfortunately, there are those among us who have bewildered nous. These are those who are double-minded or those upon whom the seed (Word of God) falls on rocky soil and among tares. Christians call them backsliders. They are confused, thinking the old ways are better than The Way and return to their own “vomit”. Many try to live in both worlds. You may call some of these semi-Christians.

“They are those who hear the word, ¹⁹ but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” Mark 4:18-19 ESV

The apostle Paul says something quite frightening.

“I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain”. Galatians 4:11 ESV

This is the Old responsible intelligence, the old bondage, the old legalism, before the renewing of the mind sets in.

Spiritual Nous

There’s no big mystery here, you know what I’m about to say. Spiritual nous enters when the Holy Spirit takes over. Initially, there is confusion. Your natural, responsible intelligence is confused. The renewing of the mind must take over.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”. Romans 12:2 ESV

It is the Holy Spirit who energies us to work out responsible intelligence.

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true;” 1 John 5:20 ESV

This understanding means nothing less than spiritual responsible intelligence.

You’ve likely seen this refrain throughout many of my writings: Read. Read. Read. Whether you are a child or an adult, do something—grow in knowledge. Expand your nous—your natural and spiritual intellect—so that you may gain true understanding of both God and the world around you.

“But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual”. 1 Corinthians 15:46 ESV

I say this because I’ve encountered far too many, even among believers, who live with little awareness of what is happening around them—spiritually, culturally, morally, or politically. This kind of detachment is not merely intellectual negligence; it is a form of spiritual blindness. At times, it feels like a veil has descended over both Christians and non-Christians alike, particularly in parts of the South and similar regions, though it is not limited to geography.

But how can anyone “go out” in obedience to Christ’s commission if they do not even know what they are going out for, or to?

Understand this: you will be called a fanatical, holier-than-thou, and maybe even a Pharisee, but ignorance is not innocence, and it is certainly not bliss. Our reason to exist is to obey.

Jesus said, “Ask, seek, knock…” These are not polite suggestions; they are divine imperatives.

True nous—the deep, discerning, responsible mind enlightened by the Spirit—is the gateway to present peace, spiritual vitality, and a life of holy adventure. Without it, we stumble in the dark. With it, we walk in wisdom, strength, and the light of God’s purpose.

Note: Some of the information above was inspired by Oswald Chambers’ (OC) book Biblical Psychology, which may be purchased through Amazon. This is a great way for my readers to increase their natural and spiritual nous. Purchase and read it if you are inclined.

Conclusion

We all need both natural and spiritual nous—the insight to navigate the world around us, and the discernment to walk wisely before God. We live in a natural world, and to live effectively in it, we must understand its systems—its politics, sciences, cultures, and the patterns of human thought. Ignorance is not a virtue; understanding is a stewardship.

Years ago, I heard of a man of great intellect who regularly read Reader’s Digest, a magazine written at a fourth-grade level. When asked why, he answered, “Millions of people read this. If I want to understand them, I need to know what they’re reading and how they think.” That is natural nous in action—wisdom that seeks not superiority, but understanding.

Do not fear knowledge or insight. Take the risk and live the adventure. They are sacred responsibilities—gifts that must be cultivated with humility and used with love. Though they require effort, that effort can be exhilarating, even joyful, when fueled by purpose.

When a person becomes both discerning and useful—prepared for any circumstance—they are not just wise by the world’s standards; they are faithful stewards and worthy citizens of the Kingdom of God. Life need not be a drudgery full of boredom, happenstance, and unwarranted fear. It is a journey. To read my blog on The Journey, click here. 

Your life is now. Your choice is now. Your solution is now. Your journey is now. Your future depends on how you handle your nous.

Enough Said

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV