Renew Your MindÉ Key to Living Like A Winner

Romans 12:1-2; 2Cor 10:4-5

 

The battle is in your head. (2Cor 10:3-5; Rm 12:2)

á      The cosmic battle withinÉ our sinful nature is in constant conflict with GodÕs Spirit. (Gal 5:16-17; Rm 7:21-23)

o     Conversion doesnÕt end the inner struggle, in fact it intensifies it.

á      As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Pr 23:7)

o     Spiritual warfare is a battle for the mind (thoughts, will, & emotions).

á      Prepare your mind for action (1Pet1:13)É thereÕs nothing passive about guarding your mind.

á      Thoughts can come from one of three sources: God, ourselves, or Satan.

o     Satan likes to plant his thoughts in our minds & make us think they are ours.

o     Lack of peace, & compelling thoughts help identify intruding thoughts from Satan. GodÕs thoughts come with joy, inner peace & gentle constraining of Spirit. (Col 3:15)

o     Often, itÕs our own evil desires that lead us into temptation & sin. (Ja 1:14)

á      The world (false belief system) seeks to capture us & squeeze us into its mold. (Rm 12:2)

á      Our world view is a product of many influences. Our false perceptions must be replaced by beliefs based on truth (Scripture)É our beliefs must be renewed. (Rm 12:2)

o     Our belief system guides our decision & actionsÉ if flawed, weÕll dishonor God.

á      Warfare includes the challenge of refocusing & reprogramming our mindsÉ to replace wrong thoughts with right & God-honoring thoughts.

 

How can you renew your mind & win the all important battle in your head?

á      Place to start to renew your mind is complete surrender of yourselfÉ body, soul & spirit.

o     Has to be a daily attitude of surrenderÉ living sacrifices keep crawling off the altar.

á      To win the battle for your mind, you must first yield your mind to the control of the H Spirit.

á      Weapons of the flesh are useless in spiritual warfareÉ you must be Spirit filled & controlled.

á      You must accept GodÕs Word as your final authorityÉ it is truth we must obey.

o     Is God worthy of our trust, & is His Word the final authority in our lives?

o     SatanÕs strongholds of lies are reinforced by feelings. Will you hold on to wrong beliefs & feelings, or believe GodÕs written truth?

á      Our minds are very active & mind renewal must therefore be a daily discipline.

á      Daily disciplines for mind renewal (Rm 12:1-2):

1. Test your thoughtsÉ test the spirits to see whether they are from God. (1Jn 4:1)

á      Examine your thoughts to determine their originÉ Word gives us standard to use to test.

á      Accepting your thoughts as authoritative is to set yourself up for real problems.

o     Many of your thoughts originate in your sinful natureÉ encouraged by Satan.

o     Mere presence of a thought in your mind does not mean you have to obey it or act on it.

á      Stay out of the trap that what you perceive with your senses is all there is.

2. Refuse wrong thoughtsÉ many donÕt know they can refuse wrong thoughts.

á      The battle in our heads is ongoing & involves tearing down strongholds, & taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. (2Cor 10:4-5)

á      Difference between thoughts & thinkingÉ enemy can plant wrong thoughts, but he canÕt make us mull them over & germinate into sinful actions. (Ja 1:14-15)

á      We have to feed & nourish lustful thoughts before those thoughts become or produce sin.

o     Simply having a wrong thought does not make you sinful or guilty.

3. Resist the devilÉ Satan does not always flee at our first effort to say no to him.

á      We have authority & power of Christ to command the enemy to leave.

4. Share every thought with the Lord immediatelyÉ especially guilt regarding past sins.

á      If sin was placed under the blood of Christ, enemy has no authority to afflict you.

5. Memorize GodÕs WordÉ there is incredible value & importance in memorizing Scripture.

á      Only infallible source of truth & right thoughts is GodÕs Word.

á      The truth will set you free (Jn 8:32)É Take every thought captive to truth. (2Cor 10:5)

á      Memorized Scripture gives H Spirit an arsenal of truth to draw upon to renew your mind.

6. Set your mind on things aboveÉ things that conform to GodÕs perspective (Phil 4:8)

á      Battle for mind must be positive, not simply a matter of emptying our heads of bad thoughts.

á      Paul gives us a Òrecommended thinkingÓ list in Phil 4:8É think on those things.

á      Thru ChristÕs victory & authority,  you may walk in victory while here on earth. (Lk 10:19)

á      Make renewal of your mind a daily priorityÉ victory is achieved one choice at a time.

 

Your focus must not be on spiritual warfare, but on Jesus Christ. (Lk 10:20)

á      We are not called to focus on the battle or the devil, except where that battle hinders our transformation into ChristÕs likeness.

á      There are no ÒlukewarmÓ victorious ChristiansÉ only those whose hearts burn for Him.

á      A lukewarm Christian dishonors God (Rev 3:16)É he is deceived & defeated by Satan.

á      Ask God for a single-minded, passionate focus upon Jesus ChristÉ your singular purpose must be to love Him, to glorify Him, to follow Him & enjoy His fellowship.

á      Ultimately, spiritual victory is living the Christ life & enjoying His fellowship.

á      There is nothing as strong as the link of relationship, & nothing so weak as the link of fellowshipÉ an impure motive or an unrighteous word/deed will break fellowship. (Ja 4:8)

á      Have you lost the joy of your salvation? Humble yourself before God to find out what caused the loss of joy. Confess your sin so God can restore you to fellowship with Himself.