Your New Mind

Be made new in the attitude of your minds.

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:23 (ESV)

If we’re saved when we give our hearts to Christ (and die not long after our conversion), then God picks us up and carries us Home! We get to skip Earth-time curriculum.

But for those with time to study Jesus, our minds have much to learn– and to unlearn! One crucial lesson is DIPLOMACY, that we become 'Ambassadors for Christ' (2 Corinthians 5:20).

In God’s “student body”, age means little. Awards come from personal sacrifice, rather than professional achievement.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Consider the challenge of a lifetime: Getting our minds to agree with our hearts. Be patient with yourself. IT’S A PROCESS!

Because trying to control all our thoughts… is like the Lone Ranger trying to catch a field of wild horses all by himself.

Taking 'Every thought captive to the obedience of Christ' (2 Corinthians 10:5) requires self-control and mind-renewal: every hour and every day of our lives. Therefore,

'Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect' (Romans 12:2).

What are some ways you can renew your minds?

  1. ‘Set your mind on things above…’ (Colossians 3:2), namely God!*

  2. Choose to hang around positive people.

  3. Replace your bad thoughts with thoughts that uplift. (Keep rehearsing Philippians 4:8.)

  4. Refuse to speak bad thoughts. Keep your mouth closed.**

  5. Do speak God’s Word out loud. It has POWER!***

  6. Pray without ceasing. Your mind will STAY new.

  7. Worship God and change the atmosphere.

  8. Do put on the Helmet of Salvation.****

  9. Repeat these steps as needed.

‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things’ (Philippians 4:8).

Beginnings: Your New Mind (Part 13)

* ‘I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways’ (Psalm 119:15).

** ‘You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger’ (James 1:19)

*** Why “out loud”? Because Satan and his legion of demons can’t stand the “sound” or force of Scripture, worship music, or praising God. It pushes dark forces back and away, as evidenced by Jesus at the end of His 40-day fasting trial in the wilderness.

**** The Armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-17 NKJV - The Whole Armor of God - Finally, my - Bible Gateway The Helmet of Salvation will protect your mind. Speak it on, pray it on, DAILY!

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because they’re often misinterpreted out of context. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban