It’s all in the Mind

Romans 12:1-2 Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that is which is good and acceptable and perfect.” And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that is which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

II Corinthians 10:3-5 II Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,”

IT’S THE BELIEVERS’ VICTORY They spell the believers’ victory over the enemy. Satan’s defeat was done by Christ on the cross that is why we are now empowered to overcome him. During the times of Apostle Paul the two churches in Rome and Corinth were under a progressive changing world. New ideas, philosophies and beliefs were introduced everyday. In fact there were some groups who gather in public places everyday discussing whatever is new around them. Not only ideas come in but false and perverse suggestions corrupt every individual in their societies. These are not new to us today.

I was struck lately when I was watching Oprah a nightly television talk show program. The episode showed young women showing their bodies publicly in videos just for fun. The lady who recruited them said she enjoyed it and knows that she is not hurting anyone and who is her to judge others who wants bare their bodies publicly. Others imitate celebrities’ images, looks, dresses etc. The guest psychiatrist viewed America today as a soul with a huge whole hole. Today we have a society and generation who are lost. There is no norm, guide or standard where our young people can be raised upon except the Bible.

EVIL PERILOUS DAYS The Word of God says that in the last days perilous times shall come. Men will be lovers of selves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

IT’S ALL IN THE MIND Man’s wickedness and marred image caused by the devil pose a challenge for us today. They can affect and influence every believer. One may react differently to every situation but with a changed and renewed mind he can come out victorious. It’s all in our mind. To conform or go against the ways of the world and be somebody different effecting change begins in the mind. Every thought shall be caught captive to the obedience of Christ.

IT’S FROM THE WORD OF GOD But how can one really do it? Daily intake and insights of the Word of God have a lot to do with our change. We can change our outside world if our inside world is changed by God’s word. We begin to believe God and have faith in Him— in His promises, His will and in His power. Daily dose of His word keeps sin away. David said, “Your word I have hid in my heart so that I will not sin against Thee.” Daily presence with God in prayer, His Word and obedience to His voice make the difference.

IT BECOMES OUR CHOICE Everything begins with the word and influences our choice. We can choose to think good or think evil. Obey or disobey. If we choose the latter definitely it will be the disadvantage to us. We become what we think. Our words, behavior and lifestyle are all expressions of what we are inside and what’s in our mind— our hearts. The word of God teaches us whatever is pure, good and holy, think of these things. It teaches us to have faith and believe in God.

If we empty our minds from everything defiling and corrupt make sure we put on godly thoughts. After the house is swept clean, the trash can still come back again if we leave it unfurnished. Put, think and desire godly and spiritual things rather than greed, hatred, anger, unforgiveness, selfishness, hopelessness and ill thoughts.

IT’S IN OUR NEW NATURE It is already in our nature to think of God and of His Laws for He wrote it into our minds and hearts after we have believed. He has given us a new heart. For who has known the mind of the Lord, we have the mind of Christ. Let us not give the devil the power to overcome us. It’s giving up our crown wherein our Savior has secured and purchased for us by His blood.

The battleground is in our mind. Winning or loosing it is done in our minds. Remember before sin is brought forth and is finished it began first with a single thought. If we let that single thought dwell, it incubates, grows and then we fall. Later unknowingly it becomes our master if we fail to subdue it. We have the divine powers and weapons to destroy all thoughts that are against the knowledge of Christ.

TRAINED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS After we have trained our mind for God’s thoughts to dwell we then become useful for His service. We can offer now our bodies as living, holy sacrifice acceptable to God which is our spiritual service of worship. God desires us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. It all begins with our mind down to our hearts and into our being. Then truly then we become true worshipers of God when we have presented our bodies to Him unspotted, unblemished and holy. He is pleased and glorified.

THINGS to remember to have a changed renewed MIND: IT’S THE BELIEVERS VICTORY EVIL PERILOUS DAYS IT’S ALL IN THE MIND IT’S FROM GOD’S WORD IT BECOMES OUR CHOICE IT’S IN OUR NATURE TRAINED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS