Transformation Starts In The Mind
Monarch butterflies follow a very specific generational migration. Starting in Mexico, the first generation will fly to the southern United States where they will remain for life. Their offspring will fly to the central states, stopping somewhere around the Ohio River, where they will reproduce. At this point the third generation will migrate to Canada to lay eggs. The fourth generation that is born in Canada will then take a miraculous flight all the way back to the same mountains in Mexico where their great grandparents originated from.
For countless years this incredible butterfly has been following this same four generation cycle, one of the most incredible yet mysterious journeys in the natural world. In short, they do it because it is in their nature.
Paul said in Romans 12:2: Be transformed by the renewing of your mind . The word Paul uses here is the word we use for the metamorphosis of a butterfly. The change in the end is something completely different than was there before. This is how total the transformation should be when it comes to our thinking. And remember, our thoughts determine our actions.
It is very hard for people to change their opinion, let alone to change the opinion of another person. We’ve all seen people become trapped by their words. Yet instead of confessing to a fault, they will defend their words and actions, all in the hopes of appearing right, afraid of appearing weak.
Leaving Our Old Ways Behind
17 This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
What Bible Says About New Month
Start off the new month with inspirational scriptures. This month shall be the beginning of months for youThe steadfast love of the Lord never ceases his mercies never come to an end they are new every morning great is your faithfulness.Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
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Be Careful With What You Are Feeding Your Mind
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:5-6
What are you feeding your mind?
Do you watch shows that feed fear and unbelief? Do you listen to music that is not a blessing to your life?
Do you read books that bring thoughts into your mind that do not align with the word of God?
Do you call yourself a Christian but your mind is of the world?
Everything you listen to and everything you watch feeds your mind. So, if you are feeding your mind the wrong kind of food, you will stay stuck with an unrenewed mind.
Remember, renewing means to replace. So you need to replace the old habits, the old shows, the old music, the old tv shows, etc.
Its hard, I know, but if you want to experience God and everything He has for you, you must be willing to give up the things that are keeping you from going deeper in your relationship with God.
If you want to renew your mind, you need to feed yourself with the right kind of food. Watch shows and listen to things that bring blessings and life.
Nowadays we have tons of information available to us 24 hours a day. Be wise and choose the right information, for example listen to bible teachers and pastors, read books that will help you grow, and add value to your life.
Never Let Up On Learning
The third thing to learn and teach to others in this battle for the mind is to never let up on learning. Become a lifelong learner. Love knowledge. Love wisdom. Learn to love the act of learning. The word disciple means learner. You cannot be a disciple of Christ without being a learner. Jesus said, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me . What do you do when you take on a yoke? You share a burden with another animal. You lighten a load. And Jesus wants us to learn from him.
God expects not only faithfulness but also fruitfulness.
Many people act as though their education ended at their last graduation. I have met some pastors who have not cracked a book since seminary. They have never studied anything else. They have never taken another class since finishing school. Are you kidding me? To be a disciple means to be a learner. All leaders must first be disciples. So leaders must first be learners. The moment you stop learning, you stop leading. Growing churches require growing pastors. The moment you stop growing, your church stops growing.
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The Believer Actively Seeks Heavenly Things By Impressing Scripture Upon His Heart
It is through Scripture that we renew our minds and start to think on things that are noble, good, and righteouswe start to think more like God. How do we impress Scripture upon our hearts? Listen to what Moses said to Israel:
These commandments that I give you today are to beuponyourhearts. Impressthemonyourchildren.Talkaboutthemwhenyousit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tiethemassymbolsonyourhands and bind them on your foreheads. Writethemonthedoorframes of your houses and on your gates .
He gives them several ways to put Gods Word on their hearts.
- They were to teach the Word of God to their children.
If you are going to think on heavenly things, you must be a teacher. You must teach it to your friends teach it in small groups teach it to strangers. When you have to teach something, you cant help but think upon it all the time.
Some may say, I am a baby Christian. How can I teach? Find somebody you know more than and share with that person, even if its an unbeliever. Thats what the parents were doing when they taught their children. They taught somebody they knew more than. We should do the same. Every Christian is called to be a teacher, and one cant set his heart upon things above without doing this.
- They were to talk about the Word of God everywhere: at home, when walking, when lying down, when getting up.
How else do we discipline our mind?
Renewing Of The Mind: Ways To Renew Your Mind Today
Recognize: Intentionally capture each thought that comes into your mind and compare it to Gods Word and His promises for your life. Ask yourself Does this thought that Im having right now reflect what Gods Word says about this situation or does it reflect a lie that I know doesnt represent Gods heart for me?
Replace: If the thoughts youre having dont agree with Gods Word, then replace them with promises from Gods Word. It can literally be as simple as asking the Holy Spirit to bring to your remembrance a scripture that is opposite of the lie you may be faced with currently. You can also just do a quick internet search for scripture verses based on the lie youre trying to replace. Remember, thoughts are like seeds and whatever you allow to be planted in the garden of your heart will bring forth a harvest in your life. Choose your seeds wisely.
Visualize: God created you with an incredible imagination to see, sense, feel and create new realities in your mind before they ever come into the physical realm. Its one of the primary ways we co-labor with the Holy Spirit to release His Kingdom in and through our lives. As you are replacing and reinforcing new thoughts based on Gods Word, imagine in your minds eye what it would look like, feel like to experience life within this new reality. This further stimulates your brain and accelerates your own ability to come into agreement with Gods best for your life.
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Putting The World Behind Us
17 This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
As we approach this passage, we need to remember what Paul has already said about our previous condition as unbelievers:
1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest .
Now that we have been born again, in Christ we have been raised from our dead state spiritually to newness of life. And because of this, we are to renounce the world and its dominion over us. This is what Paul urges every believer to do in 4:17-19. We were also slaves to our own fleshly desires, and now as believers we are to put off fleshly things and put on the things of the Spirit . Being born again is meant to reverse the way we once were, apart from Christ.
The Way Gentiles Walk
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Does God Change Our Hearts
Deuteronomy 30:6 : The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live! Psalm 33:15 : He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do. The Maker of hearts also knows how to remake hearts.
A Heavenly Mindset Is Developed By A Focus On Our Hidden Life In Christ
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God .
Another aspect of the crucified life is that we are hidden in Christ. There are many ramifications of this we must daily internalize if we are going to develop a heavenly mindset.
ApplicationQuestion: What does Paul mean by our lives being hidden in Christ? From whom are we hidden?
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Rest In The Truth That You Are Accepted In Jesus Christ
Ill pray for the Lord to protect my mind, help me recognize the enemy, and work to keep my mind focused on God. Sometimes I will be successful, and sometimes I will not be. Over time, it will be more often the former.
There are days when all I can do is rest in the truth that I am at peace with God, that I am free from accusation, and that I am Gods child.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are at peace with God. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ .
In Christ, we are free from accusation.There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus .
In Christ, we are children of God and heirs along with Jesus. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirsheirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ .
My identity in Jesus Christ is the central fact that influences my present circumstances and determines my eternal future, and it is available by faith alone. Dont doubt dont wonder dont question it.
Accept Gods gracious gift, and rest in it.
What Does The Bible Say About Transgenderism
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Some would argue that the Bible says nothing about the explosion of the transgender phenomenon in the Western world. After all, there is no verse that says, Thou shalt not transition from a man to a woman. But neither are there any verses that talk explicitly about gun violence, anorexia, waterboarding, fossil fuels, vaccines, GMOs, HMOs, or Pokemon Go. We should not expect the Bible to speak in 21st century terms to every 21st-century eventuality.
But that hardly means the Bible provides no guidance for Christians trying to make sense of our transgender moment. In fact, when it comes to transgenderism, the Bible actually has a lot to saynot by a prooftext here or there but by a rich and pervasive understanding of gender and sexual identity.
Obviously, transgenderism, as a cultural trend, is massively complex, touching on fields as disparate as genetics, fashion, medicine, law, education, entertainment, athletics, and religious liberty. We need Christians thinking through, and talking to, all of these issues. We also need Christians patiently loving, counseling, and befriending those who feel that their psychological identity as male or female contradicts their assigned biological sex. In asking the question, What does the Bible say about transgenderism? we are asking a question that can take us in a dozen different directions.
And what is that understanding?
1. Gender Binary
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A Heavenly Mindset Is Developed By A Focus On Our Crucified Position
Foryoudied, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God .
InterpretationQuestion: In what way have believers died, and how should this affect our thinking?
Paul says we died with Christ and our life is now hidden in Christ. For many, instead of thinking on the things of God, they are consumed with ungodly things like lust, anger, bitterness, jealousy, covetousness, etc. In order to have a heavenly mindset, we must reckon our death with Christ. But, we must ask the questions, What exactly did we die to? and How did we die?
Replace Toxic Thoughts With Gods Thoughts
His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and He has given us direction for how we are to think. To replace toxic thoughts with Gods thoughts, we have to change the attitude of our minds from I cant, to I can through Christ . Change your mind by practicing thoughts of love and victory. Direct your attention to the way God thinks, and your brain will change course to agree with what God intends. When you think like God thinks, you will activate every zone of your brain, and you will change the physical structure and function of the brain.
So, for example, if youre thinking negative or critical thoughts about your spouse, take that thought captive and throw it out! Then, switch to Gods way of thinking. Praise and thank God for your spouseeven list all of his or her positive attributes. Choose to think loving and kind thoughts about your spouserepenting for any wrong attitudes you might have. Yes, you might be right in what youre thinkingbut are you honoring Gods Word by loving your wife or respecting your husband?
The same is true if you begin thinking negatively about your health or finances. Stop right there! Dont let the enemy trick you into receiving defeat. Replace those thoughts with thoughts of victory. Speak Scripture that reveals what God says about your situation. Your mind has to follow your words. So, think truth!
Watch as Kenneth Copeland and Dr. Caroline Leaf discuss how you can make the decision to change your thinking.
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How Do We Actually Control Our Thoughts
My biggest downfall is attempting to control my thoughts in my own strength. Consequently I wear out, fall short and give up.
But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs power may rest on me. That is why, for Christs sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Bringing your weaknesses to God, who gives grace abundantly, is far more effective. We arent perfect, nor is our thought life perfect but the grace of Christ is sufficient. Stop beating yourself up and give it to Him.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
We are not intended to bear the burden alone. Its grace that comes alongside us to help bear the load. In addition to grace, were equipped to wage war against thoughts that are out of control.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lords people. Ephesians 6:17-18