A NEW MIND
PURPOSE
In this study,
we will discuss the transformation of the mind.
Second
(Corinthians 5:17) says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation; the old has gone, the new has come." This transformation starts with the heart. When we realize that we have the disease of
hard-heartedness, we must look to God for the cure. Spiritual surgery that pierces us with God's truth is necessary
so that we can receive a new heart.
Once we have a
new heart we realize this is only the start of a process of transformation that
will last a lifetime. Along with
needing a new heart, the Scriptures teach us that we need a transformed mind as
well. God wants us to have a mind that
is razor sharp, discerning, and quick to respond to His will. However, too often we can be dull-minded,
allowing the razor's edge of our mind to become a ragged edge.
In this lesson,
we will focus on how we can allow God to transform our minds daily.
OPENER
What do you "think"
about the most?
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LESSON
1.
IS "WHAT WE THINK
ABOUT" IMPORTANT TO GOD?
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n
Suppose Christ
broke through the veil that separates the spiritual realm from the physical
realm and audible said to you today, "I am going to require you to have my
mind in all its fullness. However, I
want people to know what a miracle of change I can work, so I am going to
reveal to your church what your mind is like right now. Next Sunday, in your church, I am going to
take over the morning service and play back for all to hear every thought you
had this week."
n
Would it
frighten you or delight you if Christ revealed your thoughts to your church
family? I don’t know about you, but I
would be a little embarrassed.
n
We
unconsciously assume that our outer, physical, and visible actions are going to
be the basis for our judgment. In the
Bible, though, God places the emphasis on the inner, invisible actions of the
mind. For example, we may protest that
we have never committed adultery. Yet
Jesus said, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has
already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Mt. 5:28). We may protest that we have never committed
murder. Yet Jesus said, “You have heard
that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders
will be subject to judgment.’ But I
tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.
Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin.
But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell"
(Mt. 5:21, 22). We may protest that God
doesn't care about our evil thoughts or our evil imaginations. He only cares about our sinful actions. Yet
(Prov. 15:26) says, "The Lord detests the thoughts (not the actions) of
the wicked…" Before God sent the
great flood on the earth, (Gen. 8:21) says, "The Lord saw how great man's
wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts
of his heart was only evil all the time."
n
God is
certainly concerned with our thought patterns.
You see, the mind has always been more important to God than our outward
actions. Most of us, at times, are
satisfied if we appease the expectations of society and the requirements of God
by our outer, visible actions. However,
we must understand that God looks on the inner part of man as well as the outer
part of man. In (1 Sam. 16:7), God
said, as early as Samuel's day, that "man looks at the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart."
In other words, God looks at the mind.
2.
AS A CHRISTIAN, DO YOU EXPERIENCE
EVIL THOUGHTS (MARK 7:21)?
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n
Since we live in a sinful and negative world that is constantly
bombarding us with unwholesome ideas, we do experience evil thoughts.
How often do you experience unwholesome thoughts?
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Can Satan plant evil thoughts?
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§
Yes. In (1 Chronicles 21), David
took a census of Israel even though God did not advise him to do so. And because he did that, God sent a plague
on Israel and 70,000 men died. -- Why
did David take an unauthorized census?
Where did he get the idea to do that?
(1 Chron. 21:1) "Satan rose
up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel." Incited means to "stimulate or
entice.” In other words, Satan planted
a thought in David’s mind to do something that God did not approve of.
n
In (Mt. 16:22), Peter rebuked Jesus for revealing that He must go to
Jerusalem and be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Who incited Peter to discourage Jesus from
going to the cross? Satan! (Mt. 16:22) Jesus turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me Satan! You are a
stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the
things of men.” Jesus knew that Satan
was the one who planted the thought in Peter’s mind, which was designed to
hinder Jesus from fulfilling His mission on the cross.
n
Ananias and Sapphira, who were believers (v. 32), sold a piece of
property to give to the apostles.
However, before they gave the money, they decided to keep some of it for
themselves. Because they lied to
Spirit, and kept some of the money, they died.
Where in the world did they get the idea to lie to the Spirit and keep
some of the money? Satan! (Acts 5:3)
Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart.”