In praying about what to write on next for devotions, I
really do desire now to write a little series on the mind. What it means to have a renewed mind,
the mind of Christ, the mind of the Spirit which according to Romans 8 is life
and peace.
Reviewing Scriptures more deeply and in thinking about my
own life and experiences, I truly believe the mind is where God intends to
capture as solely His (and of course, the rest of us). For how many of us know torments of
thoughts, false ideas, lies, teachings (that are not pure), etc. have been a
great deterrence to spiritual growth in Christ.
I remember a dearly beloved person
I knew who was tormented ALL her days back and forth with certain thoughts that
were planted there in her twenties. She
had heard a sermon regarding the Holy Spirit that was not accurate and from
then on, she experienced torment.
We all have our opinions of why
this person thinks the way they do, why that person didn't just simply
abandoned a certain pattern of thinking when God offers it. But it is not as easy as we all know. For we encounter spiritual
warfare/conflict against the Truth. We
have to fight, lay hold, work through with spiritual understanding in order to
possess.
It's nothing less than the children
of Israelites who fought the giants and enemies of the land they were to
possess. They were in a
physical battle which is a type/picture of our laying hold of Jesus Christ
and the heavenly country we will dwell in forever.
Even in that example we have
Israelites who were stronger than others. And an encouraging thought is Gideon,
who was weak, was made strong by God Himself. As a matter of fact when God called on
him, He addressed him as "mighty man of valor." Gideon, I'm sure
turned around thinking surely someone else must have been behind him. When he realizes God is speaking with
him, he may have said to himself or God, "Who me?!?"
One of the phrases I love in
Hebrews 11 (where heroes of faith are listed), and have claimed for my life is
this one:
"...out of weakness were made strong."
Through faith and our cooperation
with our Lord, we surely can have God change our thinking, our ideas into great
substance of Truth that transforms our lives.
Paul wrote in Romans 12:
"I appeal to you brethren,
and beg of you, in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive
dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a
living sacrifice, holy, devoted, consecrated and well pleasing to God, which is
your reasonable (rational and intelligent) worship.
Do not be conformed to this
world (this age) (fashioned and adapted to its external, superficial customs),
but be transformed (changed) by the ENTIRE renewal of your mind (by its new
ideals and its new attitude) (and I add as found only in Christ Jesus), so that
you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the
thing which is good and acceptable and perfect in His sight for you."
(Amplified Version).
It is God's will that our minds are
entirely renewed according to true knowledge of Christ, of the Father, the
great Salvation in Him and through Him, and God's Holy Spirit.
How far we go with this is an
individual thing. We can be in a church, a group and still have not made
our own decisive determination to have the Lord conform us to His image. He
works as we allow Him to and we ask for an increase and continued growth in
spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Next devotion, I will share the understanding I've grown
in concerning the mind and my personal journey through God's working in me and Truth of His Word.
In Christ's love,
Sue Gaither
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