Renewing Our Minds

[Affinity]

A spiritual brain transplant.

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18

Renewing your mind according to Romans 12:2 means interpreting life through the lens of God’s Word and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, rather than through the lens of your experience, woundedness, trauma, preferences, or the opinions of others. Christ rules in our hearts when we let the Word of Christ richly dwell within us.

Let’s say you have stored a lot of filth in your mind and then one day you decide to clean up your mind. The battle gets worse the moment you make that decision. The battle isn’t very intense as long as you are just giving in to tempting thoughts. The battle begins the moment you decide to resist tempting thoughts. So how do you win the battle for your mind?

If we wish to rid our minds of filth, we must read and study the Word of God each day. Our minds are like computers. Think pf that old saying...if we put garbage in, we will get garbage out.

Speaking of old sayings, one I have always liked is: The way to get thru life's problems is to "put one foot in front of the other foot."

It's a phrase that comes in handy when facing challenges or difficulties. Despite obstacles, it encourages you to keep moving forward.

The process of renewing our mind often begins with one step forward and one step backward. We spend time in God’s Word during our devotions but then go back into the world for work and leisure, where we are mentally assaulted again. Learning to take every thought captive in obedience to Christ takes time and commitment, but it can be done. The next day we take two steps forward and one back, then three steps forward and one back. If we stay committed to the process, it will soon become 20, 30, and 40 steps forward and one back.

The Spirit of God will lead us into all truth if we choose that path, and He will convict us if we choose the wrong path. Make a commitment to be like the psalmist, who wrote,

Psalm 119:14-15. I rejoice in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches. 15. I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.…

Renewed thoughts resulting in new beliefs help you engage with God’s plan for your life because thoughts fuel your beliefs. Godly Kingdom-Focused thoughts are great fuel for your godly beliefs, while ungodly, fear-driven lies and half-truths fuel ungodly beliefs.

Renewing your mind is not just a spiritual process, but a physiological one as well. When you intentionally change the way you think to align with God’s Word, it literally creates new connections and pathways in your brain to make that process easier and more preferred over time. Through the process of neuroplasticity, your brain can literally be reconfigured to align with the truth of God’s Word and thus create the solutions, strategies, and opportunities that best align with God’s plan for your life. Remember, in Proverbs 23:7 KJV “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Your thoughts (which ultimately create your beliefs resulting in your actions) literally create the boundaries of your life. If you want to experience a different life—the abundant life Jesus promised—you must learn to intentionally renew your mind.
Neil T. Anderson, Renewing Your Mind

Being transformed by the renewing of our minds requires a proper orientation toward God. Circumstances may not always allow us to be happy, but we can always rejoice in the Lord. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and this inner joy can be experienced in every circumstance, because “the Lord is near” Philippians 4:5

 

[Dean]

The renewing of our minds is something I plan on looking into. I like some of the points made in your post. I know I'm not close to being who I was before I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. My life is completely different.

 

[Affinity]

The renewing of our minds is something I plan on looking into. I like some of the points made in your post. I know I'm not close to being who I was before I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. My life is completely different.

I can relate. My lifelong friends say I look like my old self, but act and think differently.

 

[Salty]

We were all born physically alive but spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins.

"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins."
Ephesians 2:1

We learned how to live in this world independently of God. We had no relationship with God and no knowledge of His ways. So we learned how to cope and tried by our own efforts to succeed in this fallen world. Having no other recourse, we “followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of darkness . . . gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.

Then one day we hear the gospel and we became new creations in Christ. We were transferred to a different team and got a new coach, but nobody pushed the “clear” button in our memory banks. All the previous training experiences, memories, and habits were still programmed into our minds, which is why Paul wrote, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” Romans 12:2

We all were conformed to this world. Even as believers, we will remain conformed to this world if we continue believing and living as we always have. Galatians 1:4 states that Jesus gave himself for our sins to free us from this present evil world, according to God the Father's plan.

So we must make a conscious decision to put aside the lifestyles of this “present evil age”

We must continuously be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The English word “transformation” comes from the Greek word metamorphosis, which implies a total change from inside out. The key to this transformation is the mind, which is the control center of our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

Believers still often struggle with many of the issues they had in their former lives before coming to Christ. I believe the key is to
Abide in Christ.

In John 15:4–7, Jesus tells His disciples that drawing life from Him is essential, using the picture of branches united to a vine: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

 

[Obadiah]

We were all born physically alive but spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins.

"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins."
Ephesians 2:1

We learned how to live in this world independently of God. We had no relationship with God and no knowledge of His ways. So we learned how to cope and tried by our own efforts to succeed in this fallen world. Having no other recourse, we “followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of darkness . . . gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.

Then one day we hear the gospel and we became new creations in Christ. We were transferred to a different team and got a new coach, but nobody pushed the “clear” button in our memory banks. All the previous training experiences, memories, and habits were still programmed into our minds, which is why Paul wrote, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” Romans 12:2

We all were conformed to this world. Even as believers, we will remain conformed to this world if we continue believing and living as we always have. Galatians 1:4 states that Jesus gave himself for our sins to free us from this present evil world, according to God the Father's plan.

So we must make a conscious decision to put aside the lifestyles of this “present evil age”

We must continuously be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The English word “transformation” comes from the Greek word metamorphosis, which implies a total change from inside out. The key to this transformation is the mind, which is the control center of our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

Believers still often struggle with many of the issues they had in their former lives before coming to Christ. I believe the key is to
Abide in Christ.

In John 15:4–7, Jesus tells His disciples that drawing life from Him is essential, using the picture of branches united to a vine: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

What does the Father add to my daily life? You could fill a library with books on that topic.

He gives us this our armor

The Warrior's Prayer Ephesians 6

Heavenly Father, Your warriors prepare for battle. Today we claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God. We put on the Girdle of Truth! May we stand firm in the truth of Your Word so we will not be a victim of Satan's lies.

We put on the Breastplate of Righteousness! May it guard our hearts from evil so we will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.

We put on the Shoes of Peace! May we stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your peace will shine through us and be a light to all we encounter.

We take the Shield of Faith! May we be ready for Satan's fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so we will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.

We put on the Helmet of Salvation! May we keep our minds focused on You so Satan will not have a stronghold on our thoughts.

We take the Sword of the Spirit! May the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in our hands so we can expose the tempting words of Satan.

By faith your warriors have put on the whole armor of God! We are prepared to live this day in spiritual victory! Amen!!

See Link

 

[Affinity]

Choosing the Truth

Philippians 4:4–9

We are not called to dispel the darkness; we are called to turn on the light.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:9

Being transformed by the renewing of our minds requires a proper orientation toward God. Circumstances may not always allow us to be happy, but we can always rejoice in the Lord. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and this inner joy can be experienced in every circumstance, because “the Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5).

Paul admonishes us to turn to God when we are feeling anxious, or double-minded. He then uses four words to describe how we do that. “Prayer” is a general term describing our approach to God. “Petition” is a request for a specific need. “Thanksgiving” is an attitude of the heart that should accompany prayer. “Requests” is plural and identifies what is needed. It is like saying, Dear heavenly Father, I am anxious and in need right now. Thank You for your love, and I humbly request the following . . . Then “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus” (verse 7).

Being created in the image of God, we have the capacity to choose. We can choose to believe or not believe, and we can choose what we want to think about. It is not enough to turn to God; we have to assume responsibility for our own thoughts. God will assist us through His grace, but He will not do our thinking for us. Paul wrote, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

Don’t try to rebuke every negative thought. That would be like trying to keep 12 corks submerged while treading water in the ocean. We should ignore the corks and swim to shore! We are not called to dispel the darkness. We are called to turn on the light. We win the battle for our minds by choosing the truth. Trying not to think negative thoughts is futile, because it just reinforces the negative thought.

Everything we do is a product of our thoughts. In other words, we don’t do anything without first thinking it, which is why turning to God and thinking positive thoughts is not quite enough either. Paul continues, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (verse 9). In other words, live the truth, do the noble deed, do the right thing, live a pure life, and practice loving others as a noble citizen in God’s kingdom.

If we want to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, we have to reprogram our minds. However, like a computer, we better check for viruses. Computer viruses are not accidental—they have been intentionally and maliciously introduced to cripple the computer (brain) and disrupt the program (mind). “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). That is presently happening today all over the world, which is why we need to submit to God and resist the devil (see James 4:7). The Steps to Freedom in Christ have been designed to help you do that by resolving personal and spiritual conflicts through genuine repentance and faith in God.


Neil T. Anderson, Renewing Your Mind

 

[civic]

I like the last paragraph which gives a great illustration and comparison on the similarities between our minds and a computer. I’m going to use that in the next Thursday morning Mens discipleship group when I lead the devotion.