RENEW

Make no mistake about it, we are the products of the thinking in our hearts and minds. If you can find a way to get your ideas inside another person so he thinks the way you do, you gain that man. That’s what God is trying to do with you every day - get His ideas inside you. This is both the motivation of the Holy Spirit and the unholy spirit. Both are eager for control of your thoughts and mind every single day.

We live in a world that lies to us every single day. All our lives we have been told lies. It is a consequence of living in a world that has turned its back on the source of truth.

Every day women in our culture are told in a thousand different ways that in order to be lovable, they must be physically beautiful. And while few women would admit they buy in to that line of thinking, fewer still could deny that they have at some point acted on that philosophy. Most women are acting on that philosophy in some form or another even as you’re reading this --- probably wearing eye liner, rouge, mascara, blush ...

Every day, men in our culture are told their key to happiness is a newer model that requires less maintenance. Whether that means cars or women or something else, the lie is the same. We see the lie repeated every time we turn on the TV or open a magazine. I’ve never met a guy who would actually acknowledge thinking that way, but I know a lot of men who have made real-life decisions based on that lie.

The fact is, you cannot fill a mind with truth until you have identified and removed the lies that live there. Christianity is a life-long process of being transformed into Christ-likeness. Unfortunately, we have a tendency to believe that if our spiritual experience is real, it will produce instant change. And when it doesn’t, we are prone to believe the experience didn’t work. Or maybe we weren’t sincere enough about it. Or we didn’t have enough faith. But here’s a news flash: Being adopted into God’s family doesn’t instantly or automatically improve your character. Spiritual growth comes as a result of a process called renewal.

When we talk about renewal and transformation, we’re not merely talking about replacing a list of bad behaviors with a new list of better ones, because you can avoid all kinds of worldly behaviors and still not be transformed. You’re not transformed by re-dedicating your life - or by feeling extra sorry - or by repeating a nice long prayer. It happens by renewing your mind. This is the most significant thing you can do to develop Godly character.

Our mind is our biggest problem because when we just have a Biblical commandment without having a corresponding Biblical worldview, then the Bible just becomes a bunch of rules that aren’t supposed to be broken - and God’s commands end up not making sense to us - and that makes follow-thru very tough.

If you want to discover where renewal needs to happen in your life, all you need to do is examine your responses to some of God’s laws. Our natural tendency is to self-edit God’s laws to our personal lifestyles. A good rule-of-thumb to see where and if your mind needs renewed is to use the “But-Principle ... ”

‘I know I should put others first, but ... ‘

‘I know he or she isn’t good for me, but ... ‘

‘I know I don’t have any business going to that place, but ... ‘

‘I know I should forgive, but ... ‘

‘I know I shouldn’t have behaved that way, but ... ‘

‘I know I shouldn’t be living with him because we’re not married, but ... ‘

‘I know it isn’t good to take up that person’s offense, but ... ‘

‘I know about the divorce thing, but ... ‘

‘I know I shouldn’t talk about her behind her back, but ... ‘

When you know what to do but you are unclear about why to do it - when the ‘why’ amounts to nothing more than ‘because the Bible says’ - then you have revealed an area of your mind that needs renewal. You are not convinced that God’s way is the best way for you. You actually see God standing in the way of what is best for you - and when that begins to happen, you’re due for some mind renewal.

Read the truth. Do we spend as much time in the Word as we do in the allurements of the world? When something happens in your life, is your involuntary response a Biblical one? If it IS, that’s a renewed mind. If it ISN’T, that’s an area that needs renewal.

Speak the truth out loud. It worked for Jesus, when the devil was tempting Him: ‘It is written.’ Volume isn’t the issue, but something powerful happens when we verbalize truth and Scripture.

Listen to the truth. Biblical CDs and DVDs and online things. Ponder the writings of great, spiritual men and women.

Personalize the truth. This is the same as ‘SPEAK THE TRUTH,’ only you do it in first person.

“There is no weapon formed against ME that can prosper.”

“Greater is He who is in ME than He who is in the world.”

“All things work together for good for ME - because I love You, God - because I am called according to Your purposes.”

“I will be strong and courageous. God will be with ME wherever I go.”

Pray the truth.

“GOD, thank you that there is no weapon formed against ME that can prosper.”

“GOD, I praise You that You are greater inside ME.”

“I am blessed, because I know all things work together for good to those who love You, God -- and I love you -- and to those who are called according to Your purposes -- and I am called by Your purposes.”

“God, make me a man who is strong and courageous. I know You are always with me.”

Journal and meditate on the truth.

These aren’t meant to be ‘Six Easy Steps To Successful Christian Living.’ They are HABITS to develop in your life that will serve to renew your mind - and that’s a process.

And in it all ---- pray, pray, pray, pray that the Holy Spirit will renew your mind ---- because you cannot become the person God created you to be by remaining who you are.

And be blessed.