Renewing The Mind
- Pastor Corey Erman
Key Scripture: And do not be conformed to this world, but be 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
Key Truth: We can take charge of our lives by taking charge of our minds.
The mind is the battlefield:
With our minds, we think, learn, imagine, remember, and understand. Our minds have the power to reason, understand, and make decisions. Our minds determine our actions — how we live, how we behave, and how we conduct ourselves.
We need to free our minds from demonic “mental bondages,” and get our minds renewed to God’s truth, God’s thoughts, God’s ideas, and God’s way of thinking. The Bible has a great deal to say about the mind, with more than 200 verses listed. These Scriptures reveal the power of the mind.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments andevery high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. — 2. Corinthians 10:3-6
The Bible talks about “strongholds” that can be formed in the mind of a person. These give access to demonic control in the life of the believer. The only way to destroy these strongholds is by the renewing of the mind to the Word of God. These “strongholds” are a result of wrong thinking, wrong ideas, philosophies and opinions, false teachings, worldly views, religious mindsets, traditional and cultural thinking, and all kinds of imaginations that are contrary to the Word of God. The way a person thinks forms their whole lifestyle, and eventually their destiny.
For as he thinks in his soul, so is he. — Proverbs 23:7 (Hebrew Translation)
Our minds are the same before and after receiving salvation. Only our spirit is instantly transformed through the grace of God by the new birth. Living a victorious life is a result of thinking the way God thinks. Behavior patterns, actions, and lifestyle all begin in the mind.
Renewing our mind is re-programming the way we think by learning and applying the Word of God. A renewed mind:
1.Is under the government of Christ, at peace without anxiety (Phil 4:6-9).
2.Exhibits humility by having no confidence in one’s ability or self (1 Cor 1:18-31).
3.Has accepted forgiveness from God and freely forgives all others (Mar 11:25-26).
4.Has a deep desire to know the Lord and His ways better (Philippians 3:10-15). It is always striving to become more like Jesus because once we become satisfied with where we are, we begin to backslide.
5.Has wisdom that reflects the character of God (James 3:13-17).
6.Has concern for others; it is not self-centered (1. Corinthians 13:4-7).