The Conditioned Mind:
Overcoming the Crippling Effects of Sin and Guilt by Michael J. Mannia
Counselor and author Michael J. Mannia knows firsthand how
the spiraling of sin and guilt can eat away at life. His new book, The Conditioned Mind, is a look
into how believers can overcome the effects of sin and guilt and live in the
freedom that we have in Christ. Through
a careful look into the patterns that we develop and the mindsets that we get
ingrained in, Michael is able to offer ways through guilt that bring freedom
and healing. I think this is not only a
timely but a book that aims toward bringing real healing to its readers.
In the first chapter Michael looks at two needs that we
have: our need for love and our need for security. Love isn’t something optional for the human
race, but something it needs at its core.
“Additionally, we need to reciprocate love. We need to feel loved as much as we need to
love others (8).” Love is a two-way
street that involves each member of the relationship giving love to one
another. Our second greatest need is the
need for security. Michael points out
that routine, familiarity, and predictability are the hallmarks of
security. A child needs to know that each
day her mom or dad will be there in the morning as he awakes and at home when
he or she arrives home after school. A
parent also needs the security that his/her spouse will not put them in
uncomfortable, unfamiliar, and dangerous situations.
On the chapter on Breaking through Denial, Michael points
out the deleterious effects of denial.
He writes, “When the facts of an issue are accepted but the significance
or impact is denied, it could be said that we are minimizing (86).” Michael points to the life of David in his
sin with Bathsheba. Although David might
have thought that his sin was not grave, he minimized effects of morally
compromising his role as King. It wasn’t
just simple denial that David held onto but a deep sense of self-deception that
would tell himself that his situation wasn’t as bad as he’d made it. Michael makes it clear that we need prayer to
the Lord himself to show us the areas where we minimize sin so that we can walk
in the light as He is in the light (89).
From rationalization to repression and depression, evil and
pride, Michael is careful to bring together biblical solutions for the
predicaments we find ourselves in or that we put ourselves in. I I found this book to be a good outline of
some of the mental challenges we face as Christians and how we can overcome
these challenges with God’s Word, his people, and prayer.
Thanks to CrossLink Publishing an BookCrash for the copy of
this book in exchange for an honest review.
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