There is a compound Greek word that combines the word for “mind” and the word for “divided” to create a word that means “divided mind.” This mind is drawn in different directions and is distracted by the cares and concerns abundant in life. We find Jesus using this word at the end of Luke 10, when He came to the house of Mary and Martha. The account reads, “Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me’” (Luke 10:40).
“Jesus answered, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things’” (10:41). The Greek word for worried (also translated “anxious”) in this verse is that word which means “divided mind.” Martha, on this occasion, was of a divided mind—divided between her Lord and her busy-ness. Later in the New Testament, our Lord instructs us, “Be anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6). The same word for divided mind is found here (and in Matthew 6:19-34). It is time for us to make up our mind and no longer be divided. Who are we serving?