Self-Renewal and the Mind

Presented, Sunday, January 2, 2005 am

THE CHRISTIAN AND SELF-RENEWAL (2)

Renewing the Mind (1)

Last week we began a study designed to encourage us to grow as we ought to. We spoke not only of growth but also putting measures into place to ensure continued growth. We are speaking of renewal and noted that it means, “To make new again, to restore to freshness, perfection or vigor” (Webster). After that lesson it was pointed out to me renewal in a very real sense means returning to that state of sinless perfection that we had as we came up out of the waters of baptism. As Paul described the effects of baptism in Romans 6:4, he said we are raised to “walk in newness of life.” But it is a word that also means “to give new life to, to rejuvenate … to rebuild.” Thayer noted that the word used in numerous passages means “complete change for the better” or as The Complete Word Study Dictionary says, “to renew qualitatively”. As you look at the meaning of the word we find not only is it reference to that state of sinless perfection (brethren, that OUGHT to be our goal), but I also believe a process of continued growth toward spiritual maturity. We see that in many of the passages dealing with our renewal that are addressed to those who have been Christians for quite some time and need to make changes.

IF you have studied the New Testament to any significant degree, one fact that becomes clearly evident is that we are expected to keep growing. If we are to be pleasing to God, it is simply NOT just an option! Last week we established that our eternity and possibly the souls of others are at stake if we are not moving forward.

Brethren, we do NOT want to remain spiritual infants! While there was an innocent bliss when we first became Christians, as we look at where we are now compared to where we were then, we should not want to return to that state (other than being forgiven) of immaturity, ignorance and inexperience.

The lessons in this study are designed to encourage our growth in Him. ONE might ask, “Where do I start?” That is what we want to examine today.

I. The renewing of your mind

A. The mind is so important in the life of a Christian. As a matter of fact, it is the primary determinate in what you make of yourself in every aspect of life.
A very REAL fact of life is that many do not reach their potential because they are imprisoned by the limits of their thinking. Before they even get started moving in the right direction they are already defeated thinking, “it can’t be done” or “nothing good ever happens to me”.

B. In the life of the Christian the mind has reference to:

a. The intellect, … divine or human; in thought, feeling or will (Strong)

b. The psychological faculty of understanding, reasoning, thinking, and deciding - 'mind.'
Louw & Nida Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain. Copyright © 1988 UBS)

c. Mind, the organ of mental perception and apprehension, of conscious life, of the consciousness preceding actions or recognizing and judging them, intelligent understanding.
(I) As the seat of emotions and affections, mode of thinking and feeling, disposition, moral inclination, equivalent to the heart. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament

C. The Bible frequently addresses the mind or thought process of the Christian.

a. Romans 12:2 – we are to be transformed “by the renewing of your mind”

b. Ephesians 4:22-24 – speaks of putting off the old man which can be corrupted with deceitful lusts – I believe the old man has reference to the mind as well – it is the thought process of one without God. WE replace (or renew) it with the New Man “in the spirit of your mind”

c. Colossians 3:1-2 calls upon us to set our mind on things above. Where is your mind?

d. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - we develop to the point where even our thoughts are “brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”

e. Philippians 4:8 – “meditate on these things”

f. Philippians 2:5 – “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”

g. 1 Peter 1:13, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”

h. NOTE: In all these passages and many others we see the mind is something we have at least some control over. We also see that a key element of a fruitful life in Christ involves having a proper mind and proper thoughts. How much are we working on this?

i. I am firmly convinced that this is where the spirit of renewal begins in our lives. Brethren we can beat around the bush all day long, but the fact is: UNTIL our minds are right, everything else will NOT be as it ought to be.
IF you want to grow, you have to make up your mind about it.
IF you want to help others grow and make the church stronger, it starts with an inward desire in the heart. NOT just a superficial desire, but deep down conviction that moves you to service and to act.
IF you want to quit sinning, it starts with the mind - BTW, what is repentance? It is literally, “to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider” (Strong’s) or “to change one’s way of life as a result of a complete change of thought and attitude…” (Louw & Nida).

II. Some Things To Think About

A. Since the mind is so important, what can we do to renew it?

a. Ironically, the answer lies in what we think about. Philippians 4:8 gives a list of things we ought to “meditate on”. A few weeks ago we examined this text and noted the wholesomeness and purity of the types of things we are to think about. But even beyond that there are things to consider that will convict us and move us to make necessary changes.

b. Renewal begins with an honest examination of where you are at.
2 Corinthians 13:5 calls for this examination.

B. Some things to consider:

a. The Battle for our minds. Why do we not think about proper things?
It is because Satan wants to control our thoughts just as much as God does.
2 Corinthians 4:4 speaks of those, “whose minds the god of this world has blinded”
Ephesians 2:2-3 speaks of the former walk of these brethren because they “walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience”, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind.
How much of a grip does Satan have in our lives? What types of things do we think about? Do we have a defeated attitude? Are we complacent?

b. Consider your past

i. What you were: 2 Peter 1:9 – describes the one who lacks the “Christian graces” that we ought to be continually adding to. He is described as “shortsighted” having forgotten his past.
We need to realize that the only reason we are where we are at is because of the grace of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 describes the conduct of those who “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Verse 11, “and such were some of you.” Paul was trying to get them to realize how blessed they were. DO WE REALIZE where we are compared to where we would be if we had not been changed by the power of the gospel? (Romans 1:16)
Paul described his own condition to a young Timothy in his first letter to him (1 Tim. 1:13-16). Paul knew, “by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
A serious reminder of our past can humble us and motivate us to become what we ought to be.

ii. BUT don’t dwell on it!
At the same time that we remember what we were we don’t dwell on it! Because the past IS the past. We can’t change what we were and we can’t take back much of the damage we caused. We need to realize God has forgiven us and so we need to forgive ourselves!
Paul said that he forgot those things that are behind and reached forward toward the goal (Philippians 3:13-14)
Luke 9:62 speaks of one having put his hand to the plow and looking back. He is not fit for the kingdom of God.

c. A proper perspective

i. Far too many fail to grow because they limit their vision. Their perspective of life is limited to the physical realm – what they can physically experience with their senses. They measure their successes and failures in human terms rather than looking at it from God’s perspective.

ii. God does NOT view success the same way man does! Isaiah 55:8-9 says His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts. God does not look at the numbers. What does God look at? THE MIND AND THE HEART!
IF we can train our minds to think in heavenly terms, it will change our perspective about everything.

1. We will endure persecutions with joy.

2. We will be content with little of this life’s goods and be willing to walk away from it if that is what is called for.

3. No matter how others treat us, we will faithfully endure with a right attitude.

4. We will view sickness, death and various other things in a totally different way. A way the world will not understand.

iii. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 speaks of our inward man being renewed day by day, even though our outward man is perishing because we are NOT looking at things which are seen, but at things not seen?

d. Consider your future

i. WE have already noted that there are potential eternal consequences if we fail to grow as we ought to. But it is my hope that fear of punishment is NOT your only motivation for what you do in life. If that is your only motivation your life will be miserable AND you will not renew your mind.
Fear is NOT a good enough motivator to give your best. It is a good starting point, but all it yields is the minimum required to get by. John spoke of love as a motivator and said that “perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has NOT been made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18)

ii. Perhaps a better way to motivate us is to consider our future is in the terms of investments. When you have invested in something, you will do what you can to preserve it. When you have been paying on a home for twenty years, you are not going to intentionally act in a manner that will jeopardize it.
If you have invested your life savings in a business, you are not going to treat it flippantly. In fact your vested interest will provoke you to take measures, sometimes extreme to protect your interests.
Now apply this to your Christianity. How much have you invested in your service to God? How much time have you spent studying His word, attending worship services, praying, telling others about Him? How much money have you given to the local congregation you are a part of? How much effort have you put forth to maintain the purity and unity of His church? There are two ways to consider these questions:

1. Have you invested enough in them? Some have given so little to the Lord that there is little, if anything, at stake in their lives. How can one with this attitude be expected to renew his mind to prove what is good and acceptable? Maybe one reason you are not thriving spiritually is because you haven’t given enough to make it worthwhile to you. Consider this in light of passages like Matthew 6:33 which tells us to seek first the kingdom of God.

2. IF you have invested what steps are you willing to take to secure it?
Matthew 6:9-21 speaks of our treasure in heaven. Where is your treasure?
1 Corinthians 9:27 – Paul disciplined his body lest after having preached to others he himself would be disqualified.
Colossians 2:18 says, “Let no one cheat you of your reward….”
Galatians 4:8-11, “But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.”

Truly, there are many things to consider as we strive to renew our minds. Next week we will continue our study by noting some more things to consider to help us set our minds on things above. With our minds and hearts where they need to be, we will be ready to take whatever actions are called for to ensure the growth God desires in our lives. Brethren, let us THINK ON THESE THINGS!