“BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND”

Satan’s greatest weapon is man’s ignorance of God’s Word!

We need to get our minds under control. We need to put on the whole armor of God and keep it on. Each piece of these Spiritual tools is essential for winning the battles in life. Additionally, the condition of our heart before the Lord is paramount to our thought life. “…For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

Putting on the mind of Christ is essential in controlling our thought life. But first, we must put off our old carnal mind. God has made promises and provisions for us to change our way of thinking. His Word instructs us on how to submit to the will of God. Remember, God’s ways are not our ways.

The Greek word translated “renewed” used only here in the New Testament.  It means “to create again” or “make new.” When you become a Christian, God gives you a new mind, but you must fill it with new thoughts. A baby is born with a fresh, new spirit, and then the imprints help determine the course of his or her life.  The same thing is real of a Believer.  We enter God’s kingdom and receive a fresh, new mind.  We then need to begin building a spiritual vocabulary with the right words for your thoughts.

Paul gives an impressive list of thoughts we should think on; “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

We’re to “Put Off . . . The Old Man” and “Put on The New Man.” When you came to Christ, you acknowledged that you were a sinner and chose to forsake your sin and the evil things of this world.  Satan will dangle the temptations of the world and its sins in front of you to tempt you to return to it.  So, Paul warned us not to return to the world but to put it off and instead put on righteousness and true holiness.

That’s not something you do once; it’s something you do every day. But how?  2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Need help, read the scriptures, need spiritual thoughts, read the scriptures, need guidance, pray the scriptures. If you want to live correctly, expose yourself to the Word of God. It will help you deal with the traces of the world still present in your life.

Our Father’s plan is utterly amazing. We enter a relationship with Him, the Spirit comes to live within us, He prints our names in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and Heaven becomes our eternal home. Our part is to sanctify (set apart) our lives and persevere (continue) toward the high calling of Christ by pressing on.

THE CONCEPT OF TRANSFORMATION

Transformation into the image of Christ is possible because of our salvation. This ‘metamorphosis’ takes place at the time of our rebirth, and it continues throughout our new life as we sanctify (set apart) ourselves unto Christ.

The same Word (metamorphosis) describes Jesus’ transfiguration in Mark 9:2-3. Paul also uses this glorious Word in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Satan would have us conform to the ways of this world through peer pressure.  The Christian life is so different from the world’s way of thinking. The world wants their self-esteem to feel good, while God tells us to esteem others more highly than ourselves. Non-believers need their image to shine above all others, but God wants Jesus’s Image to prevail. The world says to go for it, no matter the cost. God’s Word tells us to count the cost.

When we become Christians, God does not remodel us or add to who we are – He transforms us.  A Believer doesn’t have two different natures.  He has one new character – the single life in Christ.  The old self dies, and the new person becomes alive; they do not coexist.

God’s Word exhorts us, to “Put on the new man,” a new behavior that is proper to our original nature. But to do so, we must end the patterns and practices of our old life. Furthermore, He has given us the rules, the principles, the strategies, the armor, and the promises for fulfilling His purpose. If we will renew our minds and study the Word, then we will be able to sort out and discern the will of God. When we make the right decisions combined with some skills, we will succeed and come out on top.

The truth of the Word is the pill that everyone needs but can’t seem to swallow.

CAUTION, not obeying God will cause you to run off in directions that will result in harm to you and your loved ones. You cannot escape the consequences of wrong actions. God’s Word should always be at the threshold of every decision we face. For it is GOD’S MIND WRITTEN DOWN.

The Bible teaches there is a reasonable relationship between God and believers. He does not, nor has He ever made demands upon us. The Gospel is consistent. God said, “Come now let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins are as scarlet, they can be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they can be as white as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

“Present your body as a living sacrifice, unto God, which is your REASONABLE service.” It is reasonable to present our body to God because the wisdom and the knowledge of God bring the depth of His riches, grace, and power to our transformation process. Since God is so wise and full of experience, it’s reasonable to present our body, our mind, our life to Him that He might guide and direct us.

It is UNREASONABLE to try figuring out things on our own or working out our personal life and our plan. The reasonable, rational, and smart idea is to turn our life and decision-making process over to God that He might direct our life. Presenting our body unto God as a living sacrifice allows us to let go and let God direct our path. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

We discover God’s progressive revelation as we present the issues of our life to Him. Committing myself to Him, not having my own will master me, sets me free. Thus, allowing God to bring those things I need for my spiritual walk. We never know what a day is going to bring forth as God unfolds His will and purpose for our lives.

Considering what God did for us, it is only reasonable to respond to God’s mercy shown to us as described in Romans 1:11. Because of His mercy, we can present ourselves a living sacrifice and able to offer ourselves to God as He works His grace in and through us. Biblical faith teaches that the divine mercy of God supplies the basis of our sacrifice as we response faithfully.

Paul points out in Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

For Paul, this transformation and renewing of our minds take place as we behold the face of God, spending time in His glory. The inside change is evident on the outside, as others can see what the good and acceptable and perfect will of God is through our lives. Thus, letting your light shine in the world.

God has dealt with each one a measure of faith. We can use the belief that God has given to us, or we can just let it die. A person can grow their faith through God’s Principles and Promises.

We have a choice to make between two types of lives:

THE SELF-DIRECTED LIFE – SELF is on the throne, resulting in discord and frustration. Christ lives outside of our experience.

THE CHRIST-DIRECTED LIFE – CHRIST is on the throne, the self is yielding to Christ. Christ directs our interests, resulting in harmony with God’s plan.

CONTROL YOUR THOUGHT LIFE WITH THE WORD OF GOD

“Therefore, if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Think Like Jesus Christ: If we are not to think the way that the world thinks, then what are we to be thinking? “How do we find and keep our thoughts in line with God’s Principles?” We must search the scriptures to uncover God’s promises and principles about this New Life He has given us through His Grace and Mercy. Since it is a New Life in Christ and He is the author and finisher of our faith, we must learn from His Words written in the volume of the book.

In his epistles, Paul writes that every believer has a new will, mind, heart, life, inheritance, relationship, and citizenship. We also receive new power, knowledge, wisdom, belief, understanding, righteousness, love, and desire. He called it the “Newness of Life…” (Romans 6:4). According to the Word of God, WE ARE NEW. Our New Life isn’t a matter of addition; it’s a Transformation!

WHAT GOD DESIRERS FOR YOU

TO BE THE IMAGE BEARER OF GOD: “So, God created man in His image; in the image of God, He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).

TO BE CONFORMED TO THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).

TO BE LIKE GOD IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS:  . . . And that you put on the new man according to God, in true righteousness and holiness…” (Ephesians 4:24).

TO LET GOD BE THE TRUE KING OF YOUR HEART: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

TO BRING GLORY TO GOD: “Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:7).

WINNING THE BATTLE OF THE MIND

THE LIE:  I can’t control what I think about my thought life seems to influence every aspect of my being.

IT IS WRITTEN: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

IT IS WRITTEN: “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 Corinthians 10:5).

IT IS WRITTEN: “And be not conformed to this world: but transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

IT IS WRITTEN: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

IT IS WRITTEN: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

A PROMISE

 “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 54:17).

A PRAYER

Dear Father, Your Word says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. Therefore, I declare that no weapon formed against me prospers this day or any day to come in Jesus’ name. Your Word says that trouble will not arise a second time (Nahum 1:9). Therefore, I declare that Satan cannot make trouble for me again, in this manner, as he did in the past in Jesus’ name. I say all these prayers carried out and brought to pass by trusting you through faith and expectation in the name of Jesus.