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RENOVATE YOUR MIND

A. Introduction: Tonight we begin a new series on the mind. The Bible has much to say about our mind and
how it affects our lives, as well as what we as Christians are supposed to do with our mind. In this lesson,
I’m going to introduce some of the major points we will cover in this series.
1. The mind is the portion of our makeup that reasons, thinks, wills, perceives, and judges. It is the center
of our consciousness and reflection, our way of thinking and feeling, our personality, disposition and
moral inclinations.
a. However, the mind is also the source of many if not all of our biggest battles. All of us know what
it is like to have thoughts racing through our mind that we can’t seem to stop, thoughts that fill us
with fear, anxiety, or anger, thoughts that keep us awake at night.
b. Thoughts are the product of mental activity. We can choose to think about something, but our mind
also has an involuntary or spontaneous side to it. That’s why we dream.
1. This involuntary part of our mind is a source of creativity (an idea pops into your head). But
it’s also why thoughts sometimes fly through our head that shock or embarrass us.
2. Because of this involuntary aspect to our mind, we can’t stop thoughts from flying through our
head. But we can choose what we focus on and we can learn to control our thoughts (voluntary
and involuntary).
2. We do this by learning to think in line with God’s Word (the Bible), and the result is peace of mind.
Peace of mind is one of God’s greatest blessings to us. Note these passages.
a. In the context of God protecting and delivering His people, Isaiah the prophet wrote: You (God)
will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its
character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You and hopes
confidently in You (Isa 26:3, AMP).
b. The night before Jesus went to the Cross, at the Last Supper, He told His apostles: I am leaving
you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives.
So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27, NLT).
c. In the context of not worrying, Paul the apostle wrote: Phil 4:7—Then, because you belong to
Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one completely understands (CEV) (and this)
peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (NLT);
3. Peace is freedom from disquieting thoughts or emotions (Webster’s Dictionary). It’s the opposite of
anxiety. Anxiety is a painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind over an anticipated or impending ill,
fear or worry over what may happen (Webster’s Dictionary).
a. According to the Bible, whether you are fearful and anxious or at peace is determined by what you
do with your mind and your thoughts. Prov 4:23 says: Keep your heart with all diligence; for out
of it are the issues of life (NKJV).
b. The Hebrew word that is translated heart has a rather broad meaning. It refers to a man’s entire
mental and moral activity, both his rational and emotional elements (or his thoughts or feelings). It
is used for the mind and the inward portion of our makeup. Note these translations
1. Prov 4:23—Above all that you guard, watch over your heart, for out of it are the sources of life
(Berkeley). The word translated heart is the Hebrew equivalent of mind (marginal note).
2. Prov 4:23—Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life (NCV); Be careful
how you think. Your life is shaped by your thoughts (Good News Bible).
c. The New Testament tells us: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about
things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on fine, good things in others. Think about all you can
praise God for and be glad about (Phil 4:8, TLB). Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only
about things down here on earth (Col 3:2, NLT).
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4. These statements raise a number of questions. How do you keep your mind and thoughts fixed on God,
fixed on Heaven, and still live life in this world? How can you think about good things when there is so
much bad everywhere and so many things to be anxious about? How do you guard your mind so you
can have peace of mind? We’re going to address these and other related questions in this series.
B. As always, we need to start with the big picture. You cannot have peace of mind without understanding the
big picture, or why God created you, what He wants from you, and where you’re ultimately headed.
1. This is big picture. Almighty God desires a family. God knew us before we existed and chose us to
become part of His family through faith in Christ. That’s why God created us.
a. The Lord created humans with the capacity to receive Him, by His Spirit, into our being and then
reflect and express His moral attributes to the world around us (love, joy, peace, holiness, etc).
1. II Tim 1:9—It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we
deserved it, but that was his plan long before the world began—to show his love and kindness to
us through Christ Jesus (NLT).
2. Eph 1:5—His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us
to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure (NLT).
b. Jesus is God become man without ceasing to be God—fully God and fully man. Jesus, in His
humanity, is the pattern for God’s family. He shows us what sons and daughters of God look like.
1. Rom 8:29—For those whom he foreknew (knew beforehand) he also predestinated (decided
beforehand) to be conformed to the image of (Jesus) his Son (ESV).
2. The Greek word that is translated conformed (summorpho) means to cause to become like,
having the same form as another—to bear the family likeness of his Son (Rom 8:29, J. B.
Phillips). Conformed has the idea of an inward transformation, a lasting change.
2. Paul used the word conformed a little later in this same epistle (or letter) to the Romans: And be not
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom 12:2, NKJV).
a. However, Paul used a different Greek word for conformed in this passage (suschematizo). It means
to conform to the same pattern and has the idea of an outward change that is transitory and unstable.
In other words, pressure from an outside source (this world) shapes and molds you.
b. Notice that according to Paul, we can either be conformed to the image of Christ (Christ-like in
character) or conformed to this world, and the determining factor is the renewing of your mind.
The Greek word translated renewing means a qualitative renovation. Note these translations:
1. Rom 12:2—Do not conform outwardly to the standards of this world, but let God transform you
inwardly by a complete change of your mind (Good News Bible).
2. Rom 12:2—Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God remake
you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed (J.B. Phillips).
3. Rom 12:2—Stop always trying to adjust your life to the world’s ways. You must get a new
attitude to life; your whole mental attitude must be radically altered (Barclay).
4. Rom 12:2—Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into
a new person by changing the way you think (NLT).
3. We need to understand what Paul meant by the term world. Paul used the Greek word (aion) for world.
It refers to an age or period of time marked by spiritual or moral characteristics. The New Testament
writers used this word used it to mean the present state of things.
a. We (and every other human being since Adam and Eve) live in the age when things are not the way
they’re supposed to be, not as God created or intended them to be, because of to sin.
b. This world is in rebellion to God and dominated by a system that is contrary to God. In addition,
because of man’s sin, the material creation (the earth itself) is infused with corruption and death.
1. All of us have grown up in a world that is contrary to God. Prior to coming to faith in Christ,
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all of our input came from this world system. Not only were we affected by it, we were
molded and shaped by it—our beliefs, attitudes, opinions, personality, and perspective, our
prejudices, our view of reality, our morals and values.
2. In another epistle Paul wrote to Christians: In the past you were dead because you sinned and
fought against God. You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the
world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn’t obey God. Once we were also ruled
by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds (Eph 2:1-3, CEV).
A. Because of the corruption in us due to sin we have a bent toward selfishness. Because of
the influence of the world on us, all of us think in ways that put the focus on us rather than
on God and others.
B. This must change if we’re going to fulfill our created purpose as sons and daughters who
accurately reflect our Father in Heaven. And, to have peace of mind, this must change.
4. Note what John the apostle said about this world. He used a different Greek word (kosmos) to refer to
the present order of things. It has the idea of transience, worthlessness, and both physical and moral
evil. This world is the center of cares (worries), temptations, and inordinate (excessive) desires.
a. I John 2:15—Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers to you, for when you love the world,
you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you (NLT).
b. I John 2:16—For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification], and
the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own
resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father but are from the
world [itself] (Amp).
c. I John 2:17—And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will
of God, you will live forever (NLT).
1. We’ll discuss this in greater detail in upcoming lessons, but a major key to peace of mind is
changing your perspective. You realize that there is more to life than just this life and that we
are only passing through this world in its present condition (lessons for another day).
2. This life is not unimportant. But it is not an end in itself. This is the pre-life. The life to
come, going to be with the Lord is the end and goal for which we seek.
A. If this becomes real to you (your mind is renewed to that fact), it is easy to keep your mind
(your focus) on Heaven and have peace of mind even in the mist of trouble.
B. This example falls short, but it may help convey the point. If you know that you’re going
on your dream vacation, but it won’t be for two more years, you will still be able to
function in your everyday life, but the anticipation of the coming vacation is at the back of
your mind, and it affects how you feel and how you respond to life’s challenges.
C. We must be aware that in this world there are two competing kingdoms vying for our attention and allegiance
—the devil and his rebellious, visible kingdom which is expressed through the systems of this world
(including people who are not surrendered to God), as well as God and His unseen kingdom.
1. In connection with Jesus’ second coming, God’s kingdom will one day visibly overcome the world
system and renew and restore this earth to pre-sin conditions (many lessons for another day).
a. Right now, not only do you need to be aware of the effect that growing up in this world has had on
your makeup, you must recognize that there is a pull on all of us toward this rebellious world system.
b. Even though specific thoughts don’t necessarily come from the devil, as the first rebel in the
universe, he is ultimately behind wicked, ungodly thoughts and attitudes. And, he takes advantage
of our unrenewed minds and our ignorance of God’s Word.
c. We are freewill creatures, with the ability to choose. Both God and the devil influence our mind to
get to our will and persuade us to action. God moves us by persuading us with the truth (His
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Word) and gaining our consent. The devil presents us with lies about God, ourselves, and our
circumstances in an attempt to capture our will by persuading us to disobey.
2. Note what Paul wrote to Christians who were being influenced by false apostles: But [now] I am fearful
lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced
from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ (II Cor 11:3, AMP).
a. There are varying ideas about who and what the serpent was (a topic for another day). The point
for us is that the serpent is representative of Satan, who is the tempter (I Thess 3:5),
1. Paul was concerned that these Christians would be drawn away from devotion to Jesus by the
subtle trickery of the devil, just as Eve was. Gen 3:1-6
2. God told Adam and Eve that if they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they
would die (Gen 2:17). Don’t get caught up in details that aren’t clarified in this account (such
as what kind of tree was it) and miss the main point.
A. When we examine what happened to Eve we find that the serpent assaulted God’s Word
and God’s character, took advantage of her natural desires, and made evil look good, in an
attempt to persuade her to exercise her will in the direction that he wanted.
B. Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden (Gen 3:1, NLT). You
won’t die…God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become
just like God (Gen 4-5, NLT). And Eve was persuaded by what he said and what she saw.
b. There’s more in this encounter between Eve and the serpent which we aren’t going to address now.
Just note that Paul was concerned the people he knew could be affected in the same way as Eve—
moved from their devotion to Jesus through the influence of the prince of this world and his system.
1. Just as all these people were vulnerable to being moved away from Jesus (who He is, what He
has done, and how He wants us to live) through ignorance and lies, so are we.
2. We need to bring our mind into line with God’s Word. That’s what renewing the mind is—
changing our perspective and our view of reality so that can recognize thoughts and attitudes
that aren’t in agreement with God.
D. Conclusion: We’ll elaborate on these and other points in future lessons. For now, consider these thoughts.
1. Paul wrote some other Christians: Be strong in the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so
that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies and tricks of the Devil (Eph 6:10-11, NLT).
a. The devil’s strategies and tricks can be summed up in one word—lies, (ideas and thoughts that are
contrary to God’s Word). To be deceived means to believe a lie. Our protection against the lies
presented by this world system and its leader is the Truth.
b. God’s armor is His Word: Ps 91:4—His faithful promises are your armor and protection (NLT).
2. The Word of God (the Scripturs) is the means through which our minds are renewed or renovated. A
renewed mind is a mind that has been transformed in its perspective and view of reality.
a. It’s not what you see in this life that defeats you, it’s how you see what you see. How you see what
you see (your perspective or view of reality) is based on the input you’ve received.
b. We have just completed a series on becoming a regular reader of the New Testament, reading it as it
was written to be read—each book from beginning to end.
c. It’s a supernatural book that will expose attitudes, thought patterns, prejudices, and judgments that
are unChrist-like. It will transform you by renewing or renovating your mind.
3. Over the next couple of months we’ll discuss our part in renewing our mind—where and how we should
focus our attention, the right mental perspective (long term and short term), how to get control of your
thoughts, how to talk to yourself—and other related topics. We have a lot to talk about!