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We came into this world with a blank slate, with no conscious awareness of our determinations, goals, strategies and thoughts. Henceforth, our minds were clear, yet open to the most subtle impressions. As time passed, we innocently and unknowingly created our defenses, limiting beliefs, self-sabotaging programs, a controlling ego and more. We let these engrained impressions shape our perceptions of who we think we are today. If, believers are going to have any spiritual and personal growth, there be first an inner change before we can successfully make an impact.
Think of your awareness as a television receiver with two channels. Your first channel is your ordinary awareness involving of the standard thoughts, feelings and experiences as well as perceptions of the outer physical world. The second channel is your extraordinary awareness. When you tune in to this channel, you can directly perceive the non-physical, spiritual realm: the source of true intellect, profound wisdom and immense creativity.
Renewing your mind is not merely implementing new thought patterns, but also involves completely giving up old ways of thinking that are detrimental to positive living. It is being renewed in the spirit of your mind, which in the Greek is the principle part of your mind, which will change your negative circumstances. Renewing your mind should not be confused with thoughts that come into your mind. These are keys to help you renew your mind according to the Word of God.
1st Key – Changing the Inside:
The first key is changing the inside, so when you continually blame outward
circumstances such as others, the government, your spouse or children for your problems, and is unwilling not to change the inside, you are only buying into the enemy’s lie that will blind you and bind you and keep you from everlasting change. The process of you renewing your mind, must happen by changing the inside, not just the outside because this will bring about lasting change and freedom. To bring about change, controlling or demonic forces need to be dealt with, but if the mind is not renewed and the inside changed many end up dealing with the same problem time and time again.“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation”(Matthew 12:43-45). So, if you renew your mind to God’s word and live according to the Word, it can bring deliverance and permanent change. True change comes from your mind, so when you begin change it will come from your thoughts and actions. If the Word of God is within you, you will have the ability to change any circumstance, or solve any problem, regardless of its magnitude. To truly change, alter or transform your negative situations you have to understand the need for humility. You must become humble enough to acknowledge the need for change, or you will continue to be beaten up by sickness, poverty, depression, discouragements, and marital problems. Many do not take evaluations that cause them to acknowledge need for change, because pride stands in the way of making a lasting change. You must be willing to acknowledge that your thoughts and actions are not in line with God’s word and you need to humble yourself, then repent and do what the Word says to change your negative circumstances and transformation (change) have to and must took place.
2nd Key – God’s Thoughts vs. Your Thoughts:
The second key is using God’s way of thinking.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). You must abandon your old way of life with its thoughts once you come to Christ. Because, God’s ways and thoughts are much higher and superior to yours. Your ways and thoughts are usually influenced by your physiological influence and social upbringing. If it has been without the word of God, then in all likelihood that lifestyle and thoughts will not be pure and not conducive to producing holy and positive results in your life. So much of what is taught in Christian circles today is just natural thinking that does not include the supernatural power of God. All this does is help you cope, but never teach you how to walk in the supernatural power of God or to live a life of victory over daily circumstances. You need to tap into the power of His word, and think like He does. You must and need to go beyond this kind of thinking and tap into God’s thoughts and ways. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4:6-7.
3rd Key – Having New Thought Patterns:
The third key is to have a new thought patter which becomes an action, the action a habit, the habit a lifestyle and the lifestyle a stronghold. You can have positive or negative strongholds that have control over your life, depending on how you were raised and what you are being taught right now. You need to build on the positive things in your life so that you can tear down the negative strongholds in your mind and heart. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:4-5). The way you have to wage war with an enemy that Jesus already defeated is with the truth of God’s word. Satan and his demons’ plan is not to allow the Word to work in your life. They know the only way they can defeat you is when you do not apply God’s word to your circumstances. This battle you fight with the enemy of your soul all comes down to what you do with the truth of God’s word. You have to really understand that the power of God’s word is to transform you so that you would see lasting changes in your life.
4th Key – Break Out of Negative Circumstances:
The fourth key is to break out of negative circumstances. “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” – I Peter 1:13. The world says you have every right to be depressed, unhappy and have self-pity when everything is going wrong. You can accept this world’s diagnosis, however, the word of God says the joy of the Lord is your strength. The best way to break out of negative circumstances is to rejoice and praise the Lord in spite of your circumstance and situation. Because, joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit which should automatically flow from within you, regardless of your circumstances, because of the nature of Christ within you. A fruit tree does not have to struggle to produce fruit, because the fruit is the outcome of what is within the tree; similarly, as Christians you should not struggle with operating in joy, the fruit of the Spirit within you. The world says that if something feels good, if you desire to do it, then go ahead and indulge, regardless of the consequences to follow. This attitude does not foresee or care about the fruit of impulsive living. The Word cautions you in your actions, warning that you will reap what you sow. If you sow in the Spirit you will reap everlasting life, the Bible encourages you not to be weary in well doing for in due season you will reap if you faint not.
Lastly, the world thinks one way; in fact, many Christians are given to thinking as the world does because they have not heeded the need to renew the mind to God’s thoughts and ways. As believers you can and should think at a higher level, which can only happen as you renew your mind
and think God’s thoughts. Some people tend to blame difficulties on external circumstances, deceiving oneself. You may move to a different town or change jobs, where for a while life goes on smoothly, but soon the same problems will rear its ugly head again. Because the problem comes from within you and you will bring and take them everywhere you go, if you do not decide to renew your mind. For the most part problems will not change unless you make a conscious decision to change by renewing our mind to the word of God. Many times to bring about change in your thought life and circumstances, you need to be open to learning from others. God’s Word will change your circumstances because His word has the power to do so, too literally transform you or your circumstances. The only way to replace the error of the world’s way of thinking is to replace it with God’s truth, and the only infallible source of God’s truth is His revealed Word, the Bible. Transformation through renewed minds comes as believers expose themselves to God’s Word through the faithful exposition of it each week in church, personal Bible study, and group Bible study. A solid church that believes in preaching the Word, reading the Word and worshipping God is priceless in helping you renew your mind.