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THIS IS REALITY
A. Introduction: For many of us, our mind can be a source of trouble. We struggle with anxious thoughts
about the future. We can’t seem to focus or we can’t get our mind off of something that’s bothering us.
And even though we’re committed to Jesus, ungodly thoughts sometimes fly through our head. We’re
looking at what the Bible says about these issues so that we can deal with them in a godly way.
1. The Bible tells Christians that we are to be transformed by renewing or renovating our mind: Do not
be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom 12:2, NKJV).
a. We renew our mind so that we can live and act in a way that brings honor and glory to God. God’s
will for our lives is that we become increasingly like Jesus in our character and behavior. I John 2:6
1. Jesus is God Incarnate (God become fully man without ceasing to be fully God). Jesus, in His
humanity shows us what sons and daughters of God look like—their character and behavior.
2. Jesus is the pattern or standard for God’s family: Rom 8:29—For God knew his people in
advance, and he chose them to become like his son (NLT).
b. God created us to live in loving relationship with Him and express His moral character to the world
around us (His love, peace, holiness, goodness, etc.)
1. Sin has cut us off from our created purpose. But when you bow your knee to Jesus as Savior
and Lord, God indwells you by His Spirit and makes you His son or daughter. John 1:12-13
2. This new birth is the beginning of a process of restoration and transformation that will end with
you fully restored to your created purpose, fully like Jesus in character and behavior.
3. Renewing your mind is key to this process of transformation. To renew your mind means to
bring you thinking and subsequently your behavior into obedience to Almighty God. Prov 4:23
2. Renewing the mind is not simply memorizing Bible verses. It’s a supernatural process carried out by
the Holy Spirit, through the written Word of God, as we regularly read the Bible and think about it.
a. II Cor 3:18—And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of
God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image
in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord
[Who is] the Spirit (Amp).
b. This is a main reason why we need to become consistent Bible readers. If you struggle with regular
Bible reading, see lessons TCC—1301 to TCC—1307 for simply, practical instructions on how to
read effectively. These lessons are available on our website, RichesInChrist.com.
3. Renewing your mind changes your view of reality. You learn to see things as they really are according
to God, and then live your accordingly, which then brings peace to your mind. That’s tonight’s topic.
B. We need to begin by defining what the word reality means. Reality is actual existence, the quality or fact of
being real (Webster’s Dictionary). Reality is the truth at the basis of appearance (Webster’s Dictionary). In
other words, reality is the way things really are.
1. The word truth is a synonym for reality—or, the way things really are. The Greek word that is
translated truth in the Bible means the reality lying at the base of an appearance. John 17:17; John 14:6
a. Truth (or reality) is objective. Objective means existing outside and independent of the mind,
dealing with facts without distortion by personal feelings or prejudices (Webster’s Dictionary).
1. We need to clearly state this because much of our culture has discarded objective truth. It has
been replaced by the idea that there are many truths—your truth, my truth. Truth has been
redefined to mean whatever I think or feel about something. But that is subjective.
2. Subjective means arising within one’s self or mind in contrast to what is outside (Webster’s
Dictionary). Reality (or truth) is the way things really are not just how it looks or feels to us.
b. An objective fact would be two plus two is four. A subjective opinion would be I believe or feel
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that two plus two is five. A subjective feeling or thought doesn’t change objective reality (truth).
1. However, an objective fact can change a subjective belief. Jesus said: If you abide in My
Word—hold fast to my teachings and live in accordance with them—you are truly My
disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32, Amp).
2. There’s a lot in this statement for another day, but note one point. God’s written Word (the
Bible) gives us the truth (information that tells us the way things really are) and this information
produces transformation in us as we hold fast to and obey it, despite what we see or feel.
c. The Bible helps us see reality as it truly is—God as He truly is and ourselves as we truly are in
relation to Him. And it helps us see our circumstances in terms of who He is and what He has done,
is doing, and will do, which helps us see our situation more clearly. All of this gives us peace.
2. In this time of increasing belief in subjective truth, we need to be clear about who God is. Almighty
God is a Transcendent Being. Transcendent means prior to, above and beyond the universe or material
realm of existence. God is eternal perfection. He needs nothing outside of Himself to be whole.
a. God is Infinite (no beginning or end), He is Omnipotent (all powerful), Omniscient (all knowing),
and Omnipresent (present everywhere at once).
1. Ps 90:2—Before the mountains were created, before you made the earth and the world, you are
God, without beginning or end (NLT).
2. Jer 23:23-24—“Am I a God who is only in one place?” asks the Lord…“Can anyone hide from
me? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” asks the Lord (NLT).
3. Acts 17:24-25—He is the God who made the whole world and everything in it. Since he is
Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve
his needs—for he has no needs (NLT).
b. Before creation, all that existed was God. He is the Uncreated Creator who created everything.
He created two realms of reality, the spiritual (unseen, immaterial) realm and the material (seen,
physical) realm. Not seen doesn’t mean not real. It means beyond the perception of our senses.
1. Col 1:16-17—(God) created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see…Everything has been created through him and for him. He existed
before everything else began, and he holds all creation together (NLT).
2. Heb 11:3—The entire universe was formed at God’s command…what we now see did not
come from anything that can be seen (NLT).
c. God is a personal God who created and sustains all things, and this Transcendent Being desires
relationship with men and women. He wants to be known by and enjoy the creatures He created:
For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they were created (Rev 4:11, NLT).
3. Back to renewing your mind and peace in your mind. All of the information which has shaped your
view of reality has come to you through your physical senses. But these senses can’t perceive the
unseen realm. Our mind has to be made aware of or renewed to these unseen realities.
a. God reveals these unseen realities to us in His Word, the Bible. In every circumstance and situation
there is always more to reality than what your senses tell you. This is reality: God is with you and
for you, perfectly present, loving and reigning, and upholding all things by the Word of His Power.
b. Unseen realities are real. What we see is real; it’s not an illusion. But what we see is temporary
and subject to change by God’s power either in this life or the life to come. When you become
persuaded of this reality, it gives you peace of mind even in the most challenging circumstances.
4. In previous lessons we looked at examples of people who faced fearsome circumstances with the
awareness that the Unseen God was with them and for them. They put their focus on Him through
praise—by acknowledging who He is and what He has done, is doing, and will do. Consider another.
a. In 726 BC King Sennacherib of the Assyrian Empire invaded Judah (southern Israel) and laid siege
to fortified cities. His plan was to force them to pay tribute money. Jerusalem was his next target.
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1. King Hezekiah recruited an army to protect Jerusalem. However, his army was no match for
the mighty army coming against them. Listen to what the king said to encourage his men.
2. II Chron 32:7-8—“Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid of the king of Assyria or his
mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they
are just men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” These
words greatly encouraged the people (NLT).
3. The king’s words encouraged the people because he was describing reality as it truly is—God
with them and for them. The king had many examples from their written history where their
ancestors cried out to God for help in the face of a greater enemy and God’s answer was: Fear
not for I am with you. I will fight for you. II Chron 20:1-19; Ex 14:1-13; Deut 31:6-8
b. Sennacherib sent his officials to Jerusalem with a message for Hezekiah and all the people in the
city. His message was: Every nation we have conquered thus far cried out to their gods, and their
gods did not help them. What makes you think that your God is any different?
1. The Assyrian officials stood outside Jerusalem and shouted threats to the people gathered on the
city walls in their Hebrew language, trying to frighten and dishearten them. II Chron 32:18
2. Note that information from the seen realm came to discourage and terrify the people. But the
king and the prophet Isaiah put their focus on unseen realities revealed in God’s Word and cried
out to God in prayer. We don’t have a record of what they prayed, but we know this:
A. Hezekiah had a written record of what his ancestor king Jehoshaphat did almost 150 years
earlier in a similar situation, an overwhelming enemy force coming for them. Jehoshaphat
opened his prayer with praise to God: You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In
your hands are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you…we don’t
know what to do but our eyes are on you (II Chron 20:6; 12, ESV).
B. Isaiah would later record these words from God: Fear not, for I am with you; be not
dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with
my righteous right hand (Isa 41:10, ESV)…When you go through deep waters and great
trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown!
When you walk through the fire oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not
consume you. For I am the Lord, your God (Isa 43:2-3, NLT),
3. The Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its officers and officials…that
is how the Lord saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem (II Chron 32:20-22, NLT).
5. There are two aspects to renewing your mind. One involves changing your perspective or your entire
view of reality (the way you see life). This change takes time and effort. The other involves getting
control of your thoughts and emotions in the moment, while your perspective is in the process of
changing, so that you bring honor to God and have peace of mind.
a. We see both aspects in the account of Hezekiah. His view of reality was shaped by God’s Word.
He knew from the written record that God was with them and for them despite how it looked.
b. And in the moment he was able to keep himself and his people focused on the way things really are
through praise—remembering and acknowledging God’s power and presence with them. Isa 26:3
c. This is reality: Ps 46:1—God is our refuge and strength…a very present and well-proved help in
trouble (Amp). So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and mountains crumble into the sea
(NLT) Ps 46:10—Pause a while (be still) and know that I am God (Jerusalem).
C. The Bible shows us reality, the way things really are according to God. Our mind is renewed or renovated
and our view of reality is changed by reading God’s Word and thinking about what it says—taking time to go
over it in our mind and allowing the Holy Spirit to change us.
1. Paul the apostle wrote a letter to Hebrew (Jewish) Christians who were experiencing serious pressures to
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abandon their faith in Jesus—including ridicule, beatings, and loss of property (Heb 10:32-34). The
purpose of his letter was to exhort them not to give in, but to stay faithful to Jesus. Note one statement:
a. Heb 13:5-6—For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So that we may
boldly say: The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear. What shall man do to me (NKJV)?
b. Paul was quoting Deut 31:6-8 where God promised to go with Israel as they entered their ancestral
homeland of Canaan to settle. They faced formidable obstacles in the land, but God kept His Word
to them, and helped and preserved them. This is one of the accounts Hezekiah would have known.
1. Paul explained that God said some things to His people so that they could boldly or confidently
say some things. Notice that what we say is not word for word repetition of God’s statement.
2. God’s Word has been personalized and the speaker’s view of reality has changed: Because
God has promised to never leave or forsake me, I do not have to fear what anyone does to me.
2. God with you and for you does not mean no more trouble or problems. We live in a world that has been
damaged by sin and is filled with hardships, pain, and loss (Rom 5:12; Matt 6:19; John 16:33; etc.).
Sometimes peace from God means peace in the storm as opposed to peace to the storm.
a. Yes, things can and do hurt us now. We suffer loss and pain in this fallen, broken world. But
peace of mind comes from seeing reality as it truly is.
b. This is reality: Nothing can come against you that is bigger than the Transcendent God, the
Uncreated Creator God who is with you and for you. This is reality: Everything you see is
temporary and subject to change by God’s power either in this life or the life to come.
c. A renewed mind not only realizes that there is more to reality than what you can see in the moment.
A renewed mind realizes that this life is temporary and fleeting and that the greater and better part is
ahead in the life after this life (more on this in later lessons).
3. Paul faced many hardships and challenges in his life. But he kept his focus on unseen realities. He
knew that nothing could come against him that is bigger God with him and for him. Rom 8:32-39
a. In the context of many hardships Paul wrote: Our present troubles are quite small and won’t last
very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t
look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For
the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever (II Cor 4:17-18, NLT).
b. Our perspective (view of reality) is formed by reading and thinking about God’s Word. It is upheld
in the hard times by what we mentally consider and focus our attention on. Seen things can and do
scare us, unseen things lighten the load. Praise to (acknowledging God) helps us keep our focus.
D. Conclusion: To have peace of mind in this life we must learn to see things the way they really are—God as
He truly is, ourselves as we truly are in relation to Him, and our circumstances as they truly are.
1. This is reality: The Uncreated Creator of all things, this wonderful Being sees, knows, and wants you.
He’s gone to great lengths to have a relationship with you through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
a. This is reality: Life in a fallen world is hard, but nothing can come against you that is bigger than
God. It’s all temporary, and He is with you and will get you through until He gets you out.
b. When king David of Israel was on the run for his life, he made a conscious decision to acknowledge
and praise God despite his circumstances (Ps 56:3-4). He knew God was with him and for him.
1. I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to
heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there (Ps 139:7-8, NLT).
2. You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have
recorded each one in your book (Ps 56:8, NLT).
2. This is reality: In the midst of your circumstances, God sees and God knows, He is with you and for you
and He get you through whatever you are facing. As your mind is being renewed to these realities, keep
your focus on God by praising Him in the moment, and you’ll have peace (much more next week).
