Self Renewal 6 - How NOT To Think

Presented, January 30, 2005

THE CHRISTIAN AND SELF-RENEWAL – 6

How NOT to Think - 2

We gave been examining the need for renewal in our lives as Christians. The past several weeks we have examined the importance of a proper mindset. We have noted that Romans 12:2 tells us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” which means that we need to bring our thinking into a proper state of mind. We can control how we think and we need to be concerned about how to think and how NOT to think.

Last week we talked about pessimism and noted that it should not be our way of life. There may be times in our lives when things look bleak and we have to sigh or there may be times when we know we are NOT what we ought to be, but we need to do what we can to get beyond those times and look toward our Father with faith and hope (both words associated with optimism).

Today, we want to continue our study of how NOT to think by noting some specific things that many allow to influence their lives to the point of hindering them in their growth and the ability to renew their minds. As I present this lesson it is with a realization that I need to work on many of these things myself, and I ask your prayers on my behalf to put myself in a better frame of mind.

I. Letting Go of Your Past –

A.        So many today fail to think properly because they can’t get over their past. They dwell on their own past failures and perhaps bad things that have happened to them before. This is known as living in the past and it is unhealthy both physically and spiritually.

B.         Paul learned to move on – Philippians 3:13-14 – He forgot about the past and moved on.
Luke 9:62 – Jesus said, “No one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

C.         You need to forgive yourself. Have you done wrong things in the past? YES! We all have. Some have lived horribly sinful lives and have pasts that will follow them the rest of their lives (not that we are dwelling on them – but the consequences are there). We may feel that we are not worthy and thus we find it hard to forgive ourselves.
Here’s a thought – WE AREN’T WORTHY! No one is. BUT God does not forgive us based on what we deserve. Always consider the example of Paul – he formerly persecuted Christians even to the death. Note 1 Timothy 1:12-15 – Christ came to save sinners. He saved Paul, a murderer. Paul said it best in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “by the grace of God, I am what I am.” Why did Paul say that? Note vs. 9 – because he persecuted the church.
NOTE: I am not saying in this that we should excuse present sinful behavior – but if we have done what we can to obtain forgiveness from God (See 1 John 1:7-8) we need to move on.

D.         Let go of old hurts. There are many who have suffered wrong at the hands of another sometimes in the past. And it is something they can’t or WON’T get over. It causes them continual grief and a poor outlook about life and themselves. Often this is a cause of one thinking they are worthless. Why does an abused child often drift toward a spouse who will also abuse them? They think that is how they are supposed to be. And often they blame themselves for the problem.
As Christians we HAVE TO let go of these things. Ephesians 4:31 – “let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”
James 3:14-15 tells us that bitter envy is not from above, but is sensual and demonic (of the devil)
Proverbs 14:5 – “the heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy.”
They are in the past and they cannot be changed. When they have asked for forgiveness WE NEED TO FORGIVE THEM. And we need to completely forgive them and forget about it – the way we want God to forgive us (Matthew 6:14-15, Ephesians 4:32), etc. You may need to let go of these hurts – FOR YOU! If you want to have a mind that is pleasing to God you need to get rid of these deep seated things for yourself.
BUT what if they haven’t asked for forgiveness? There is some debate as to whether you can forgive someone who has not asked for forgiveness. But regardless of whether or not that is possible, you still NEED to let it go. If you dwell on it, it will rule you and hinder you. You need to develop a willingness to forgive them and be ready to forgive and forget it when they ask, if they ever do.

II. The problem of worry –

A.        Often associated with the previous point, we need to learn to not worry. There are many who keep their minds occupied by worrying about either things of the past that they cannot change OR things in the future that they have no control over. Either way, it will cause stress, depression and anxiety. It clouds one’s thinking with trust and hope.

B.         Jesus taught us not to worry – Matthew 6:25-34. While Jesus was specifically speaking of worrying about what is yet future, we need to understand that worrying about the past bears the same consequences.

C.         When we worry, we are:

1. Not Seeking first the kingdom of God (NOW)

2. Becoming overly concerned about things you cannot change

3. Not showing complete faith in God.

D.         Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in the heart causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.”

E.          Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for NOTHING.

III. What You Cannot Do

A.        Some look at Christianity in terms of what they are no longer allowed to do. They know that they have had to give up the way they used to be and they dwell on that. This is the one who when asked to do something with his old friends says, “I can’t do that anymore!” There are two ways one can say this – with conviction or in disappointment. The latter is what we are speaking about.
Such thinking will cloud your desires to do right.

B.         Galatians 4:8-9 finds Paul asking these brethren why are they turning again to the weak and beggarly elements they left.

C.         Remember what Satan told Eve in Genesis 3:4-5. He asked her if God had forbidden her to eat of any trees. When given the answer he said, “You will not surely die, For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Notice how he accused God and got Eve thinking about that (6). When we dwell on what we cannot do, Satan will exploit us.

D.         Jesus said, “No one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of heaven.” Luke 9:62.

E.          Understand that God does not prohibit behaviors because He wants to make us miserable. He DOES know what is best. Sometimes we may not understand all the implications and consequences associated with a certain behavior – especially when many times the fruit doesn’t reach maturity until much later.

F.          ALSO, don’t forget the warning of God in 2 Peter 2:20 concerning those entangled again in the world.

IV. You Are fine where you are at

A.        Sometimes this is a refusal to face up to problems and sin because one knows they need to change. There are many who have for all practical purposes shut their eyes and ears to their own faults. They intentionally don’t study or pray regularly and they do as little as they possibly can. They KNOW that if they probe too deep, they will find evil in their lives they need to face. They are also fair weather disciples that will allow any reason whatsoever keep them from worshipping God. One who reasons like this will never renew their mind.

B.         We need to examine ourselves regularly – 2 Corinthians 13:5.
We need to put our bodies “to the test” – 1 Corinthians 9:27 – lest we be found disqualified. Losing our salvation - cf. Galatians 5:4.

C.         Others are afraid of change itself. Like the one talent man (Matthew 25:18, 24-25), they are afraid of the unknown so they just stay where they are at. The problem with this is the WHOLE purpose of this study. Hebrews 6:1 says, “Therefore, leaving the discussion of elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection…”
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

V. “Garbage in, garbage out"

A.        There is another consideration as we examine what NOT to think about. We need to be careful that we guard what enters into our minds. So often, improper thinking is a product of allowing that which is ungodly to enter our minds. What I am speaking of is the ungodly garbage that we allow into our lives. The sinful attitudes and actions that we find on television, at the movies, the music we listen to, the books we read and sometimes those we associate with.

B.         We need to filter what goes into our minds. When we allow that which is impure into our thoughts it squeezes out that which is pure and good.

C.         1 Corinthians 15:33 – Evil companions corrupt good morals.
Prov 6:27-28, “Can a man take fire to his bosom and his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be seared?” While the passage deals with an adulterous relationship, the principle applies in all areas ungodly. Solomon’s point was - you are affected by your surroundings.

Thus we can see the importance of how to think and how NOT to think. We have spent a number of weeks examining these things. It is my hope that as we consider these things we can “be transformed by the renewing of your minds”. And with that we are ready to move on to our next subject – actions that promote self-renewal.