The Benefit of a Renewed Mind
PASTOR JR
When you renew your minds, you break the pattern that once controlled your peace. Every action begins with a thought, every stronghold is a thought that became unchecked, our thoughts can bring peace or distress, they can open faith or close it.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV)
[5] 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.
This is a command to bring our inner thoughts to the principles of God’s word. Stop letting our thoughts wonder. Think about a field with weeds unchecked, the longer they stay the harder it is to clear the field. The same thing happens when we leave lies, guilt or hopeless thoughts ungraded, they grow and choke out the truth of what God says about you,
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
[2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Transformation begins when you don’t let the worlds way of thinking control your thoughts.
When the world says follow feelings, God say follow faith.
When the world says think small, God say thing according to my promises.
When your mind aligns with God your heart finds rest. Renewal is not just memorizing scriptures alone, it is allowing them to reshape thinking which in turns shapes your actions. Replace fear with faith, resentment with grace, confusion with clarity.
Renewing your mind is an act of surrender, allowing every thought to be molded by the Word of God. Many Christians cry for a breakthrough while holding on to old mindset that can’t carry the new blessing. You cannot step into a new season by thoughts that are trained by old behavior. Renewal lifts your spirit from memory to motion. It teaches you to see with new sight.
When you renew your mind, your past disbelief loses its authority, the thoughts that once anchored you loses strength. You look at circumstances differently, were you once saw lose, you now see learning, were you once saw delay, you now see preparation.
Renewal means choosing forgiveness when bitterness feels easier, stepping out in an area of fear that has paralyzed your movement. Using words of kindness to someone that has continued to show you disdain. Making an effort to show love, forgiveness and compassion to your enemies.
Renewing your mind means surrendering the narrative you tell yourself, and let the Word have the final say, instead of fear. The world teaches self-improvement; God teaches mind renewal. Improvement polishes the surface while renewal rebuilds the inner man. Self-improvement says try harder, renewal says think differently.
A renew mind brings;
order to emotions,
stops panic before it starts,
and stops your peace from being stolen.
Some of you are waiting for God to change a situation, but he is waiting for you to change your mindset. A renewed mind does not ask “what if I fail?” It declares that with God I can do all things. It does not focus on shame, it focuses on redemption, it does focus on regret, it moves in gratitude. Many believers lose peace not because of outside attaches but inner thinking.
Romans 8:6 (NKJV)
[6] For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
The way we think determines if we live in chaos or peace, a carnal mind filters everything through pride, comparison and performance. A renewed mind filters everything through gratitude, humility and love.
A saint that has not renewed their mind performs righteous without enjoying relationship. It does the right thing with the wrong mindset. Working, serving, and giving but never at rest, always feeling overlooked, always measuring what other receive, always comparing. Renewing the mind means releasing these burdens. Let grace rewrite how you interpret life.
Serve out of love not obligation or reward, rejoice when other are blessed not resent them, finds security in belonging not comparison.
Stop measuring your worth by what others receive, stop counting blessing as competition, stop waiting for the validation that Christ has already given you.
Pride is a private prison, convincing you that you are always right, unwilling to hear another perspective. This keeps you from experiencing joy.
Renewal breaks the chain, it teaches you to think through love instead of ego, it teaches to value relationship over always being right.
A mind with humility is a renewed mind.
1 Peter 5:5 (NLTse)
[5] …….. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
A STARTING POINT FOR RENEWING OUR MINDS:
Ephesians 4:25 (NLTse)
[25] So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. [26] And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
[28] If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. [29] Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
[30] And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
[31] Get rid of all
bitterness (I hate my life, my job, my financial situation)
rage (uncontrolled anger)
anger (an ongoing feeling of being mad at a situation or an individual)
harsh words (words that you know will hurt someone)
slander (dogging people out with no basis for the truth),
all types of evil behavior.
[32] Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Renewing your mind and living by God’s precepts brings peace, joy, contentment, and stable emotions during a time when the World’s emotions are out of control.
Repeat this; Today I make a commitment, that I will enjoy the fruit of my Salvation, I will show the people in my surroundings, the joy and peace of the Lord.
So, they may see an example of;
Hebrews 10:24 (NLTse)
[24] Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. [25] And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Titus 2:7 (NLTse)
[7] And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.
James 3:13 (NLTse)
[13] If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)
[16] “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
In closing, this renewal of the mind can only happen with the power of the Holy Spirit controlling your emotions.
Luke 6:27 (NLTse)
Love for Enemies
[27] "But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. [28] Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.
Lk 6:27-28 Jesus taught that love must not be selective. His followers are to love all people, regardless of how unlovely or even hostile they may be. They also must act on that love by being willing to do good when it is in their power to do it. There are several words for love in Greek. The word used here is agape, meaning the kind of love shown even when the one loved has no merit for that love. It is love that must be chosen and willed.
All people have experienced agape from God. God loved the world even while people were sinful and rebellious. God willed to love his people and sent his Son to die for them, not because they deserved it or had any merit, but only because of God's love. Those who have experienced God's love understand what it means to be loved undeservedly. People who were once enemies of God and have joined his family can understand what it means to love your enemies. Only with the help of God's Spirit can his people do good to those who hate them, pray for the happiness of those who curse them, and pray for those who hurt them (see Ro 12:14-21). When believers are hated, cursed, and hurt, they are to respond with love.
Characteristics of Love (1Corinthians 13:4-7)
Patient
Kind
Not Jealous
Not Boastful or proud
Not rude
Does not demand its own way
Is not irritable
Keeps no record of being wronged
Does not rejoice about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out
Never gives up
Never loses faith
Is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance.
Definition of an enemy.
Anyone who opposes, harms, or wishes ill upon another-whether personally, nationally, or spiritually. Please note that the command to love your enemy does not apply to your spiritual enemies such as Satan, sin and powers of the unseen World.
Practical Wisdom
Enemies test our faith and character. They reveal whether we will respond with vengeance or Christlike love.
The Bible reframes enemies as opportunities for growth. Loving them breaks cycles of hatred and reflects God’s mercy.
Ultimate enemy: Satan and sin are the true adversaries, not just people who oppose us.