Showing posts with label thought life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thought life. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Think On These Things
Temple Baptist Church - 10-10-2012
Philippians 4:8
Introduction:
A. Our verse for tonight says to “think” on these things. I want to look at that word “think” for a few minutes. The mind is one of the marvels of creation and is to be differentiated from the brain. The mind is a function of the brain but the brain does so much more than just “think.” The brain:
1. The brain is the “computer” that operates the motor functions of the body.
2. The brain is the “computer” that processes the responses of nerve endings in the body.
3. The brain is the “computer” that controls the involuntary work of the heart, lungs, and other vital organs of the body.
4. The brain is a marvel of God’s creation that is so much more that “gray matter.”
5. The brain is also called the “mind” because it is there that the process of thinking occurs.
B. Mind – a thing framed or to mold into a form – thus the “MIND” is not just “gray matter” but is the capability to frame thoughts. The mind has the ability to reason with logic; to frame emotions and desires; to ponder upon something specific; to store in memory; to forget and recall; to imagine; to have curiosity; etc.
c. The “mind” has three basic functions:
1. Thinking – by which we make sense of the world or of the things that we perceive. It constitutes judging, perceiving, analyzing, clarifying, determining, comparing, and synthesizing.
2. Feeling – by which we understand “how we are doing.” It constitutes happiness, sadness, depression, anxiousness, stress, calmness, anger, worry, excitement, etc.
3. Wanting – by which it motivates us to action. These actions constitute our goals, desires, purposes, agendas, values, and motives.
D. In the mind, our thinking, feeling, and wanting are interwoven.
1. Where there is one, the other two are present as well. These three functions continually interact and influence one another in a dynamic process.
2. Thinking, feeling, and wanting produce “doing.” Our doing is the product of these three things and are controlled by our “heart.”
E. Each of us have an intimate relationship to our minds because the processes of our minds dictate what we desire and do. Because we are made after the image of God, we find biblically that our minds and our hearts are also related.
1. The “heart” of man is not our physical organ but, according to the Bible, it is “who we are.” I often call the heart the “seat of our affection.”
2. The “heart” of man is also made up of the “conscience.” The Conscience is an aptitude, faculty, intuition or judgment of the intellect that distinguishes right from wrong.
3. To the world, the conscience is made up of circumstances and perceived values of an individual and, therefore, varies from person to person according to race, sex, surroundings, religion, place of birth, upbringing, etc. alone. No doubt these things affect the conscience but the Christian perspective goes beyond these things.
4. To the Christian, the conscience also involves divine intervention as God places within man certain innate values.
Romans 2:14-15 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: (15) Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;
F. It should now be clear that everyone lives in a special and intimate relationship to his or her mind—both consciously and unconsciously.
1. The mind and the heart are connected in thought but, at the same time, the mind can work independently from the heart as it can be attacked from the outside or devise wicked thoughts from the inside that we hate.
a) The mind can be subject to satanic attack. Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
b) The mind can be subject to dreams and imaginations. Daniel 2:3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.
2. The heart never works independently from the mind. Our affections show forth in our thinking and desires.
a) We think in our hearts - Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Matthew 9:4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
b) Our of our hearts, we set forth who and what we are. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (What we are in our hearts is the real “me!”
G. Thoughts are bold and daring; they are both strong and persistent.
1. Like armed men they force themselves into the mind. They come enticingly; they come insinuatingly; they come threateningly; they come in a thousand ways; they come singly; they come in droves; and they come unceasingly!
2. Therefore, we now know the importance of controlling our minds. Our verse for tonight admonishes us to think “right” things and sets forth the possibility of thinking “wrong” things.
H. Now, the message for tonight is simple:
1. We Must Protect Our Minds - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2. We Must Program Our Minds - Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3. We Must Prioritize Our Minds - Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Renewing Of The Mind
Temple Baptist Church - 1-26-2011
Ephesians 4:17-24
Introduction:
A. The verses tonight show a contrast between the “old man” and the “new man” or the two natures of the saved. The natural man or the lost man has only one nature and that is a sin nature. The saved man has two natures: the natural or old nature and the new nature that comes with salvation. Thus, we have the natural man (who is lost), the carnal man (who is saved but worldly), and the spiritual man (who is saved and living a consistent life for Christ). The natural man cannot be a spiritual man and the spiritual man cannot be a natural man but the spiritual man can be a carnal man.
B. Verses 17-19 show the relationship between the natural man’s walk and the natural man’s mind.
1. The Vanity of their Minds. Vain: not yielding the right outcome or of no avail.
2. The Darkness of their Minds. The absence of the light or illumination of God is the perpetual state of the unsaved man’s mind.
3. The Ignorance of their Minds. The natural man cannot discern or know spiritual truth.
4. These are the results of the condition of their Hearts.
C. When salvation comes, then comes the struggle between the old and new natures. In verses 20-21, we find a clear contrast between the philosophy and teaching of this world and that of Christ. “Ye have not so learned Christ!”
Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
D. We that are saved have both the Word of God and the Spirit of God! We are now “taught of God” how to live in this world and still be a light in the darkness of sin. Before our salvation, we were under the controlling influence of the world. Now, we find that the saved man’s spiritual walk and the renewing of his mind work hand-in-hand. Between the putting off of the old man and the putting on of the new man is the renewing of the mind.
E. I want to look at the mind for a few minutes tonight. This is not going to be a complete study of the mind for that could not be done in one sermon but some things that will help us to “put off the old man” and to “put on the new man.”
1. There Must Be A Renewing Our Minds - Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ( To make over! The world’s philosophy has molded the minds of the lost. They are blinded by the “god of this world” into thinking as the world thinks. Outcome based education shows both the process and results of satanic thinking. The teacher now gives a “s” or a “u” instead of A, B, C, D, or F. There is no longer the point system of grading that we used in our childhood. Children and adults are being programed to accept sodomy, adultery, etc. as acceptable lifestyles. Our minds have to be “renewed” or made over again by the Word of God so that we will think right. Otherwise, we become conformed to this world.)
2. We Must Gird Up The Loins Of Our Minds - 1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (To bind up in order to protect. Weight lifters [serious ones] wear a belt around the waist. It is tightly wrapped in order to protect both the back and the loins. A “loose mind” is one that tends to wander from the things of God. As frontlets keep the mule’s mind upon his business, so the girding of our minds keep our minds on God’s business.)
3. We Must Pattern Our Minds After Christ - Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (A mind of humility, obedience, and service. Philippians 2 speaks of the incarnation, obedience, and sacrifice of Christ for us. We are to have this same mind. Humilty or know just who and what we are; obedience, being doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves; and sacrifice, giving our lives in Christ’s service. Heavenly minded instead of earthly minded.)
4. We Must Learn To Capture The Imaginations Of Our Minds – 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (As children, we were taught to let our imaginations flourish. We had little in the way of toys when I was young so we made use of our imaginations. This was not a bad thing. Not all imaginations are sinful. As we grew older, we continued to entertain ourselves by letting our minds drift into a world of imagination. It is a departure from the real world; an escape mechanism; and is dangerous spiritually. We are to cast down and bring into captivity every thought that is contrary to sound doctrine and our obedience to God.)
5. Learn To Quench The Fiery Darts of the Devil - Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Our minds are constantly “bombarded” with carnal thoughts. The word “quench” means to extinguish. One of the best ways to put out a spark of fire is with a good dousing of water! The shield of faith: faith coupled with the Word of God. Believing what God has said and immediately putting away the temptation to sin.)
6. We Must Arm Our Minds Against Hardships - 1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. (This world is hard! In our generation, we have become accustomed to a life of comfort. We expect everything to work out right and are “floored” when things go wrong. We are to endure hardness as good soldiers. When you know that life is hard, you can make it! We can grit our teeth, set our jaws, fix our eyes, and withstand everything that the world throws at us. Toughness is a state of the mind! Ron. We need to arm our minds with a spiritual toughness that we are going to take all that Satan can throw at us and, through the power of the Spirit, come out of our hardships better instead of bitter.)
Conclusion: The battle that we looked at tonight is an old one. We find the fiery darts of Satan in the beginning as he turned the thoughts of Eve from the revealed will of God. Paul gives us a little glimpse into his personal battle with the flesh as he was continually tempted to give into to its sinfulness.
Romans 7:21-25 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Ephesians 4:17-24
Introduction:
A. The verses tonight show a contrast between the “old man” and the “new man” or the two natures of the saved. The natural man or the lost man has only one nature and that is a sin nature. The saved man has two natures: the natural or old nature and the new nature that comes with salvation. Thus, we have the natural man (who is lost), the carnal man (who is saved but worldly), and the spiritual man (who is saved and living a consistent life for Christ). The natural man cannot be a spiritual man and the spiritual man cannot be a natural man but the spiritual man can be a carnal man.
B. Verses 17-19 show the relationship between the natural man’s walk and the natural man’s mind.
1. The Vanity of their Minds. Vain: not yielding the right outcome or of no avail.
2. The Darkness of their Minds. The absence of the light or illumination of God is the perpetual state of the unsaved man’s mind.
3. The Ignorance of their Minds. The natural man cannot discern or know spiritual truth.
4. These are the results of the condition of their Hearts.
C. When salvation comes, then comes the struggle between the old and new natures. In verses 20-21, we find a clear contrast between the philosophy and teaching of this world and that of Christ. “Ye have not so learned Christ!”
Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
D. We that are saved have both the Word of God and the Spirit of God! We are now “taught of God” how to live in this world and still be a light in the darkness of sin. Before our salvation, we were under the controlling influence of the world. Now, we find that the saved man’s spiritual walk and the renewing of his mind work hand-in-hand. Between the putting off of the old man and the putting on of the new man is the renewing of the mind.
E. I want to look at the mind for a few minutes tonight. This is not going to be a complete study of the mind for that could not be done in one sermon but some things that will help us to “put off the old man” and to “put on the new man.”
1. There Must Be A Renewing Our Minds - Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ( To make over! The world’s philosophy has molded the minds of the lost. They are blinded by the “god of this world” into thinking as the world thinks. Outcome based education shows both the process and results of satanic thinking. The teacher now gives a “s” or a “u” instead of A, B, C, D, or F. There is no longer the point system of grading that we used in our childhood. Children and adults are being programed to accept sodomy, adultery, etc. as acceptable lifestyles. Our minds have to be “renewed” or made over again by the Word of God so that we will think right. Otherwise, we become conformed to this world.)
2. We Must Gird Up The Loins Of Our Minds - 1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (To bind up in order to protect. Weight lifters [serious ones] wear a belt around the waist. It is tightly wrapped in order to protect both the back and the loins. A “loose mind” is one that tends to wander from the things of God. As frontlets keep the mule’s mind upon his business, so the girding of our minds keep our minds on God’s business.)
3. We Must Pattern Our Minds After Christ - Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (A mind of humility, obedience, and service. Philippians 2 speaks of the incarnation, obedience, and sacrifice of Christ for us. We are to have this same mind. Humilty or know just who and what we are; obedience, being doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves; and sacrifice, giving our lives in Christ’s service. Heavenly minded instead of earthly minded.)
4. We Must Learn To Capture The Imaginations Of Our Minds – 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (As children, we were taught to let our imaginations flourish. We had little in the way of toys when I was young so we made use of our imaginations. This was not a bad thing. Not all imaginations are sinful. As we grew older, we continued to entertain ourselves by letting our minds drift into a world of imagination. It is a departure from the real world; an escape mechanism; and is dangerous spiritually. We are to cast down and bring into captivity every thought that is contrary to sound doctrine and our obedience to God.)
5. Learn To Quench The Fiery Darts of the Devil - Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Our minds are constantly “bombarded” with carnal thoughts. The word “quench” means to extinguish. One of the best ways to put out a spark of fire is with a good dousing of water! The shield of faith: faith coupled with the Word of God. Believing what God has said and immediately putting away the temptation to sin.)
6. We Must Arm Our Minds Against Hardships - 1 Peter 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. (This world is hard! In our generation, we have become accustomed to a life of comfort. We expect everything to work out right and are “floored” when things go wrong. We are to endure hardness as good soldiers. When you know that life is hard, you can make it! We can grit our teeth, set our jaws, fix our eyes, and withstand everything that the world throws at us. Toughness is a state of the mind! Ron. We need to arm our minds with a spiritual toughness that we are going to take all that Satan can throw at us and, through the power of the Spirit, come out of our hardships better instead of bitter.)
Conclusion: The battle that we looked at tonight is an old one. We find the fiery darts of Satan in the beginning as he turned the thoughts of Eve from the revealed will of God. Paul gives us a little glimpse into his personal battle with the flesh as he was continually tempted to give into to its sinfulness.
Romans 7:21-25 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. (22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Monday, April 21, 2008
For As He Thinketh In His Heart, So Is He
Temple Baptist Church 4-20-2008
Proverbs 23:7aIntroduction:
A. In Paul’s description of the last day professing believers, the Holy Spirit used the words “having a form of godliness.” I have found over the years that the church has some of the most wonderful people in the world sitting on its pews. These believers consistently love God and live for Him through the years. These believers, like all people, have problems but are not problematic! They sometimes need direction and pastoring but remain faithful to and useful in the Lord’s service.
B. There are also believers, and I believe them to be so, who drift from the Lord and get into sin in spite of all that we try to do for them. They are chastened of God in this world which is a sign of being born again. To remain in sin without chastisement shows a lack of the New Birth. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
C. There are some who sit on church pews lost and, eventually, will expose themselves because of the wicked condition of their hearts.
2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
The dog truly returns to its vomit and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he!” Sheep may fall into a mud hole but to the sow, it is a way of life. (Lost professors change for a while but eventually return to their old way of life.)
D. There are many who have never had a real heart change and their lives reflect their lost condition.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators (unlawful sex among singles), nor idolaters (worships the things of this world), nor adulterers (unlawful sexual relations of married people with others), nor effeminate (soft-sissies-men with characteristics of women), nor abusers of themselves with mankind (sodomites), 10 Nor thieves (to steal or take be fraud), nor covetous (insatiable, greedy of worldly gain, bent upon increasing their substance at any rate), nor drunkards (habitually giving themselves to strong drink), nor revilers (tale bearing, whispering, and backbiting, or by raising and spreading scandalous reports), nor extortioners (to plunder or extort for unlawful gain), shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
E. Then, there are those who do not control their thought life and their flesh acts out their fantasies. What is in the heart will eventually manifest itself in outward actions because what is in the heart is what we are.
1. Our Thoughts Are Known
a. Our Thoughts Are Known By God - 1 Chronicles 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.
Psalms 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Proverbs 6:16-19 These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
b. Our Thoughts Are Know By Self - Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee.
c. Our Thoughts Well Soon Be Known By Others - Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
2. Our Thoughts Must Be Controlled
a. Our Thoughts Are Controlled By Girding - 1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (Gird up is the opposite of loose. To bridle or to control.)
b. Our Thoughts Are Controlled By Renewing - Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (As we are constantly bombarded by the world we are to renovate our thinking with the Word of God.)
c. Our Thoughts Are Controlled By Meditating - Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
3. Our Imaginations Must Be Captured
a. We Either Destroy Them - 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations (framework or to build), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (MARTIN LUTHER was credited with saying, "You can't keep the birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” “Casting down” means to throw down with force.)
1) Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. used to say: “Behind every human tragedy there is a slow process of evil, wicked thinking.”
2) Sinfulness is a process of evil thinking! No one ever falls into sin. They have been falling a long time. We only saw them when they landed. It began in their thoughts.
3) Sir Francis Bacon was asked what he thought the outlook was for the next generation. He declared, “Tell me what the young people are thinking and I’ll tell you.”
b. Or They Will Destroy Us - Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. (THOUGHTS produce ACTIONS; ACTIONS produce HABITS; and HABITS produce LIFE-STYLES!)
Conclusion: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he!”
Romans 8:12-13 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
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