But that is not what He tell us to do.  He instructs us to renew our minds with His Word.  Change our dumb thinking by replacing it with The Word of God so we can begin to think like Him.  He instructs us to take control of all our thoughts, imaginations, and beliefs that are contrary to The Word, cast them down and bring them captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ. 

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.

1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:21-26 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender . And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and  virtue: 

Ephesians 4:17-24 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

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.

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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.

Rather than conform to the above scriptures, it has become a common practice, to blame all our faults and imperfections on anyone whom we have come in contact with throughout our life.  And if raised in the perfect home then blame falls to the environment we were raised in.  Our parents take the biggest brunt of the blame calling, because it feels better to be able to say, "It is not my fault I was born this way."  or, "It is not my fault, my parents raised me this way."  Refusing to take responsibility for  who and what we are, removes any need for change.  "After all, we can't help what we have become.  It is not our fault."  

Mankind has found it necessary to find fault in order to explain away negative actions.  This humanistic thinking, which is contrary to God's thinking, was first used in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Woman ate of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.  Woman blamed the serpent for her actions and Adam blamed the Woman God gave him.  In reality, Adam was blaming God for what happened.   It was God's fault because He gave Adam the Woman to begin with.  

God in His infinite wisdom, equipped man with a free will to choose, making man responsible for his own actions.  When we deny God's way and refuse to admit we were wrong, when we refuse to repent of our ways, and receive forgiveness, we open ourselves up to the possibility of mental illness.  God created our minds to acknowledge wrongdoing, repent of it, and receive forgiveness.  This process, thanks to the work of Jesus on the cross, allows us to start fresh every minute of everyday. 

Denial is a blanket we place over our actions to hide them.  However, in spite of what we think we are doing, in God's world, those sins remain, un-repented, which build up in our hearts.  God's Word tells us that the pleasure of sin is but for a season, and sin eventually will result in spiritual and physical death.  Un-repented sin blocks us from receiving God's blessings in our life.  

1 John 15-10 This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleans us from all sin.  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Isaiah 1:18-19 Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.

Hosea 4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

1 Peter 5:14-16  Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and  if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Proverbs 31:10-31 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Here are my husband's lecture notes on his teaching, "Renewing of the Mind."  

You are a spirit, you have a soul, and you live in a body.

Soul Complex = Mind, will, intellect & emotions.

The center of appetite..

Romans 12:1.2 (Amp) I appeal to you therefore, 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 well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world—this age, fashioned after 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—so that you may prove [for yourselves] 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].

Transformed = Greek “Metamorphoo” - Metamorphosis

Caterpillar to Butterfly

Word is used only on two other occasions Jesus being transfigured

There are over 1900 references to the mind, thoughts, imaginations, thinking and soul.

Romans 8:5-8 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. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, says he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders

2 Corinthians 4:3,4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 

1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

2 Thessalonians 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  (Amp = Souls)

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

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;

Renewing the mind means letting scripture cause you to change.  It is  not enough to just learn more scripture.  It means becoming different.  Not by changing jobs, getting a new car, getting a new house, going away on vacation—and remaining the same.

	It is the difference between having gym knowledge and having muscles.
	It is the difference between knowing something about Christ,  and knowing Christ himself.

Knowing about Christ:

Matthew 22:41-42 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asking them, Saying, what think ye of Christ? whose son is he?  They say unto him, The son of David.

Knowing Christ:

Matthew 22:43-45  He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?  If David then, call him Lord, how is he his son?

Not turning over a new leaf or making a New Year’s resolution; an Inward change, different thoughts, attitudes, and they show by different actions.

Your life is different from the inside out. That’s Maturing, Growing; Being Transformed.

You will not walk yourself holy until you talk yourself holy.

Isaiah 55:7-9 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither 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.

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.

A caterpillar cannot fly!

A carnal mind cannot operate in God’s ways (pray daily, read Bible, et cetera.).

Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will imprint my laws upon their minds even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding, and engrave them upon their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

	Change is required!
	You have to do something differently.
	Let the wicked forsake his ways.

Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1 Corinthians :1-4  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?  

We all know of areas where we need to change, but the areas that we really do not want to change are the ones which cause the most problems.

Pride resists change!

Daniel 5:2-31 Look it up!

Signs, Wonders and Miracles only occur as our minds are renewed.   

F.C. Pickering was praying for people in a healing line to be healed. He came to a man in a wheelchair, picked him up out of the chair, walked him up to the platform and asked him what he wanted prayer for.

The man responded that he couldn’t walk until Pickering picked him up out of the chair.

Pickering did not know the man could not walk.

	The Cable Company sends a signal, via the cable, which is received  by your TV, where an image is produced.
	God sends a message, via the Holy Spirit, which is received by your  spirit, and an image is produced in your mind.
	Satan sends a message, via demonic or worldly influence, which is  received by your mind and produces an image.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Ephesians 3:20 (Amp) Now to him who, by (in consequence of) the [action of his] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out his purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams.

So why isn’t he?

Luke 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bring 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.

Because of bad deposits in your heart. However, your thinking must change or you will only re-deposit junk.

Jewish father in Germany changed religion to Lutheranism because of business failure; his son was Karl Marx, the founder of  Communism.

Mark 7:13 — Traditions

Mark 12:24 — Lack of Knowledge

Mark 7:13  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Mark 12:24  And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

Self-Justification

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Justifying your beliefs and old ways will prevent you from going on to new ways.

Result: Tradition and error always put you an a place of non-resistance to Satan, contrary to Scripture.

Lazarus
When Lazarus was raised from the dead, he was most definitely alive, but he was wrapped in the death clothes of tradition. Jesus raised him, but others unwrapped him.

Ephesians 4:23-24 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

It is your subconscious or your attitude.

Memories of bad experiences lurk in the subconscious and sabotage present successes.

God took the children of Israel out of Egypt, but he could not take Egypt out of the children of Israel.

	If your mind is not renewed, it will believe the wrong things: Sickness glorifies God.
	But even worse, you will say things you do not believe and kill  your own faith.

Poor staying poor even after prayer, confession and tithing, because the spirit of their mind was not renewed.

Sick staying sick because they believe: They are bringing glory to God Being punished and deserve it They are busy learning something They are suffering for their sins

 

Many people are repulsed at the idea of being Godlike.

If a man speaks of being Godlike, he is often met with resistance and declarations of blasphemy.

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.  

Transformed into what?

The image of God!

To reveal God to us!

God wanted a family of sons and daughters to fellowship with him and that he could shower with love, provision, protection, et cetera

So he created man in his own image

Genesis 1:26-27  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Man fell through sin, and could no longer fellowship with God because he no longer conformed to God’s image.

Job 40:8  Wilt thou also disannul my judgment: wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

God’s process to restore man back into God’s will required Christ’s  life, death, and resurrection.

	Being reborn through faith in Christ’s sacrifice for sin.
	Being water baptized.
	Being filled with the Holy Spirit.

God’s Ultimate Will, Desire, Plan & Purpose for You as a Christian is Not Heaven!  It is to be conformed to the image of Jesus, his son.

That is God’s bull’s eye.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 8:18-23 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Be One in Unity Having the Same Glory as Jesus.

John 17:13, 22, 23 ¹³And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ²²And the glory which thou gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: ²³I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

	1 John 4:12 Perfection of God’s love in us.
	1 John 4:17 We should be Jesus to the earth.
	1 Corinthians 15:49 We must bear the image of heavenly man in this world. It is easy to see ourselves small; we need our vision cleared.
	1 Corinthians 11:7 Only regenerated man is the image of God.

1 John 4:12  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1 Corinthians 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

1 Corinthians 11:7  For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

It is not heresy to imitate God, it is heresy not to.

Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children:

	The verb, follow, is to mimic — act like.
	But here it is used as a noun and, therefore, means “to be,”  or “become.”
	The tense indicates a decisive act with permanent results.

We need an object, image, vision to imitate.

That is why Jesus came to earth.

2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature

Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:

John 14:7-11 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip says unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffice us. Jesus says unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how say thou then, Show us the Father? Believes thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

John 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

Paul wanted to be a godlike man for his disciples to follow.

Philippians 3:1-19 He says, “Oh, that I may know him.”

He is still seeking—

It is a journey, not a destination.

Vs. 17 — imitate (follow) me as I imitate (follow) Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:16-17 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.   For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

Paul sent Timothy to Corinth to remind them of his ways.

Do you want people reminded of your ways?

This should be done because of an inward motivation, not because of outward restraint.

We should be obedient and do things like pray, love, give, live holy lives, et cetera., not because we are instructed or commanded to do them, but because it is our reborn, renewed, natural behavior.

Not obedient to an external set of rules.

If you are serving God because of fear of going to Hell, or because of a hope of going to heaven, then you are living under the law and not under grace.

If it is a strain for you to deep the principles of the Bible, then you are living in a religious straight jacket of restraint. You are not being free in Jesus.

The more conformed we become to the image of Jesus, the more like Jesus we will act; healing the sick, casting out demons, loving sinners, forgiving those who wrong us.

Paul says, “For me to live is Christ.” Philippians 1:21

How are We Conformed into the Image of Jesus?  By Renewing our Mind!

Surely the Mind Cannot be that Important

Man’s spirit is surely more important than his mind.

Jesus was the express image of God. We are told to Let this Mind be in you. Jesus did not think it robbery to be equal with God.  Philippians 2:1-6

Paul prayed for our minds and our understanding.  Ephesians 1:15-18

Before our minds are renewed, we will fulfill the desires of our flesh and mind.

Ephesians 2:1-3  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Jesus told us to love God with our minds and understanding. 

Mark 12:29, 30, 33  ²⁹The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: ³⁰And thou shalt love the Lord thy god with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
³³ And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding, and with all the soul and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Recognize the Need to Change

You will never change until you recognize your need for a change.

Others may recognize it first:

	Parents
	Spouse
	Teacher
	Pastor
	Friends
	Boss

Until you recognize it, it will appear invalid.

Desire Change

But not because you know you should.

	Not even knowing that it is God’s will is sufficient.
	You need internal motivations to want to change.
	External motivations (laws, conditions, et cetera.) will not change you

The only reason for change is so you can serve Jesus with your entire being.

God will grant you the desires of your heart.

No Excuses

	Other people are not your problem.
	I was born this way.
	It’s my circumstances.

Stop making excuses such as, “I’m waiting for God to do something before I do, “ or, “I cannot help it!” These excuses program you to resist change.

It is important for you to realize you are in control of your mind.

You could not be expected to do something that is not possible for you to do or is out of your control.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:   (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)   Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ .  

You must stop justifying your actions.

Proverbs 14:12  Their is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Stop being defensive and admit that you are wrong.

James 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Confess your faults

God expects us to make certain decisions for ourselves.

We are not going to escape making those decisions.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

God did not promise to give us anything more than he already has. 

Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Colossians 3:1-10 stresses the importance of setting our minds on things above; rejecting our old ways of thinking so we may begin to think God’s thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

Replace error with the truth of God’s Word.  We should constantly be replacing wrong ideas with the truth of God’s word.

Fathers believe mothers are responsible for kids’ education and spiritual upbringing, but ...

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers bring up your children in the training and admonition of the Lord.

I thought Christians were supposed to be quite in church.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.

Spend time in the word to change your thinking.

	Philippians 4:6-8
	Joshua 1:8

Philippians 4:6-8  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Joshua 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Meditate day and night in the Word and do it, then you will have good success.

Practice the Truth Until You Possess It

At first it is different, uncomfortable and strange.

You can Fake it, or you can Faith it.

Prayer, Bible study, clapping your hands during praise and worship, praying aloud in the Spirit, singing, et cetera

You need the right environment to grow.  New lifestyle, new habits, and new friends.

	The correct church
	Fellowship with fellow Christians

Receive the Engrafted Word with a Readiness to Learn

James 1:21 tells us it is able to save your soul (mind).

James 1:21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

It needs saved from itself.

Change your nature through the word.

2 Peter 1:2-4  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

	the knowledge
	and wisdom of God.

 Joshua 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shall make thy way prosperous, and then thou shall have good success. 

2 Corinthians 3:18 [Amp] And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, and constantly being transfigured into his very image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of Glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.  

Psalm 1:1-3  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord: and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Stop taking counsel from ungodly people. Meditate in the word; become a tree bearing fruit.

Imagine — Use Your Imagination (Hope)

Picture the word working in you.

Picture yourself doing the word.

Proverbs 23:7  For as he thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, says he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. 

Hebrews 6:19  Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil.

Speak the Word into Your Heart.  You need to plant the seeds of God’s imagine into your spirit.

Luke 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Create a new deposit.

Proverbs 18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

You can have what you say, and God watches over his word to perform it.

Do the Word

Only the word that you do is abiding in you. 

James 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Wait on the Lord in Prayer

Psalm 25:3-5  Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.  Show me thy ways, O Lord, teach me thy paths.  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

	God will show and he will teach.
	We must wait on God.

We become like what we worship.

Psalm 115:8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusts in them. 

The more we exalt God in worship, the smaller our problems become and the greater our faith in God becomes to deal with those problems.

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