“Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you.”— 2 Corinthians 10:15
Have you wondered how the seed planted in the garden becomes a fully matured fruit? What silent processes does it undergo to produce such amazing fruits? Our minds are the most fertile gardens God has given us to cultivate. Character is the fruit it produces. “A good character is a capital of more value than silver or gold” (E. G. White Maranatha pg. 223.4). But how do you get character? The same principles that govern the cultivation of the garden to produce fruit also shape the cultivation of the human mind to produce character.
What then are the seeds that is cultivated in the human mind? The faculties. The faculties in order to produce the fruit of character, need to be developed. Every thought, feeling, and choice is a seed that can grow into either weed of destruction or fruit of righteousness. “A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next” (E. G. White Maranatha pg. 223.2). The quality of our moral character depends largely on how we use the faculties of the mind, which God has entrusted to us for discipline, development, and devotion.
Every one is born with tendencies, both good and bad, but it’s our choice to cultivate the bad and then the good will be suppressed or cultivate the good and then the bad will be suppressed.
Therefore, to have a well-balanced or perfect character self-control must be exercised upon all the powers of the mind. What are these faculties of the mind that need cultivation? your reason, your conscience, your imagination, your memory, your perception, and your will. Others are feelings, impulse, impressions.
Faculties of the mind to be cultivated
A well-balanced mind, what Scripture terms perfect character, is the product of cultivating all the faculties equally, under God’s guidance. The key faculties include:
Will: Is the governing power of the mind—the deciding force that determines our actions. The will is a function of the other faculties. One may have a good reason or judgement but how to carry out the action they have reasoned out to be correct and good is a problem for because he is not strong-willed. Hence a strong will, sanctified and strengthened by God’s word, enables us to choose to do right even when feelings press in the opposite direction. Christ declared, “I came … not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me” (John 6:38). True strength of character begins with a will that is firm for righteousness yet pliable to divine guidance.
Reason: Is the safeguard of the soul, helping us to weigh our choices and discern between truth and error. When this faculty is under the control of passion or prejudice, it becomes clouded, leading to poor decisions and regret. But when sharpened by God’s Word, it becomes like the captain of a ship, steering us safely through the storms of doubt, suspicion, and impulsive thinking. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thes. 5:21). “The simple believes every word: but the prudent [man] considers his steps” (Prov. 14:15).
Conscience: Is the inner voice that speaks God’s moral law to our hearts. It alerts us to danger, approves what is right, and rebukes what is wrong. Yet, conscience too can be dulled or “seared.” A clear conscience, trained in truth, becomes trustworthy, keeping our character aligned with heaven’s standard.
Imagination: Is a gift meant to enrich life, inspire creativity, and expand our vision of what is noble and pure. But when uncontrolled, it can run riot—breeding suspicion, discontent, and unhealthy daydreams. A sanctified imagination, guided by reason and conscience, can inspire creativity, vision, and holy contemplation. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5)
Memory: Stores the knowledge, experiences, lessons, and impressions that shape our identity. What we choose to dwell upon in memory feeds our present character. A disciplined memory, filled with Scripture and uplifting thoughts recalls God’s promises and equip us in times of trial and remind us of His faithfulness.
Perception: Is the faculty that helps us interpret the world around us. It influences how we respond to people, situations, and even God’s dealings. A spiritually trained perception sees trials as opportunities, not just obstacles; it looks for the good in others and recognizes God’s providence where others see only chance.
Intuition: Is that quiet, almost instinctive reasoning built on experience, which helps us detect truth or danger without a long process of reasoning. When in harmony with the Holy Spirit, it can serve as an early warning against temptation or deceit. But like other faculties, it must be tested by Scripture, for impressions alone are not safe guides.
Other Influences on Character
Feelings: Are powerful, but they were never meant to rule us. When brought under the control of reason and religion, they become blessings—deepening our compassion, joy, and empathy. But when feelings dictate our choices, they lead to instability and poor judgment.
Impulse: Can be the spark for quick acts of kindness—or rash decisions that bring regret. Self-control ensures that impulse serves, rather than masters, our character.
Impressions: Are the momentary thoughts or sensations that can influence us. If not tested by truth and reason, they can be dangerous; but when subjected to God’s will, they can prompt timely actions for good.
The Struggle Within
Each person is born with strengths and weaknesses among these faculties. Some may have a strong will but a weak conscience, others a vivid imagination but little reasoning. These imbalances shape our tendencies—for good or for evil.
A diseased imagination paired with strong will can produce a tyrant. A timid will paired with faulty reasoning leads to inaction, even when truth is known. Thus, every Christian must evaluate honestly:
Is my will strong or weak?
Does my conscience speak before sin or only after?
Is my imagination under control or ruling unchecked?
The Word of God: The True Cultivator
The faculties of the mind are like tender plants. Without watering, pruning, and sunlight, they wither or grow wild. The Word of God is the living water and divine gardener. It sharpens our reasoning, tenderizes our conscience, empowers our will, and guides imagination and perception.
The Will Strengthened – The timid Nicodemus, once afraid to confess Christ, found boldness after contemplating the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Word gave him strength to act where once he faltered.
The Reason Enlightened – Christ’s question, “What shall it profit a man…?” cuts through worldly reasoning and reorients the mind to eternal values.
The Conscience Made Tender – Scripture exposes hidden sins and teaches righteousness, making the conscience keen and reliable.
Daily contemplation of Christ’s life, from His humble birth to His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, transforms the faculties. It reshapes how we think, feel, choose, and live.
All Faculties to Be Cultivated
Every garden has weeds, and every mind has tendencies toward evil. But neglect is no excuse. If certain faculties are used to the neglect of others, the design of God is not fully carried out in us, for all the faculties have a bearing and are dependent, in a great measure, upon one another. One cannot be effectually used without the operation of all, that the balance may be carefully preserved. If all the attention and strength are given to one, while others lie dormant, the development is strong in that one and will lead to extremes, because all the powers have not been cultivated. (1Mind Character and Personality, volume 1, pg. 50.2)
This is a lifelong work, but it is not ours alone. The Holy Spirit applies the Word of God to our hearts, refining our faculties until they produce the fruits of a Christlike character.
Conclusion
The faculties of the mind are God’s gifts, planted in the soil of our inner life. But they do not flourish by chance. They require cultivation through study of Scripture, guidance of the Spirit, and the self-control of daily choices.
A balanced, Christlike character does not appear overnight—it grows like fruit in a well-tended garden. And when the mind is cultivated under God’s care, it will bear fruit unto eternal life.
Do you want a strong will to do right? Do you desire reasoning sharpened, conscience tender, imagination sanctified? Then daily water the garden of your mind with the Word of God, and let the Spirit of Christ cultivate it into a fruitful character.
