Study 29

Battle for the Mind

Before we became Christians we were blind, hard and hostile towards God. We needed revelation and transformation. We still need them today. As God reveals the truth to us, He wants us to allow Him to transform our wrong patterns of thinking.

A willing mind. Once saved, some people refuse to allow God to challenge them further. Their problem may concern a personal sin or a particular doctrine. They have fixed opinions and have blocked out any other viewpoint. Such behaviour is immature. James (3:17, RSV, NKJV) tells us that the wisdom from above is open to reason and willing to yield. We must listen to the Word, be open to the opinions of others and be prepared to change our thinking.

A humble mind. Although we know that we must not seek the praise of men, we are often in danger of becoming proud of our achievements and spiritual experiences. The bible warns us, 'Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought' (Rom. 12:3) and 'in humility consider others better than yourselves' (Phil. 2:3). Jesus who is 'gentle and humble in heart' invites us, 'learn from me' (Matt. 11:29).

A thankful mind. When we find ourselves in difficult circumstances we moan almost automatically. As we do this we reinforce negative thinking and become prone to depression and bitterness towards God and others. Paul says, 'in all things God works for the good of those who love him' (Rom. 8:28). If we believe this truth, we will live by it and 'give thanks in all circumstances' (1 Thess. 5:18).

A peaceful mind. We live in an anxious world. Disastrous world events and personal difficulties threaten to overwhelm us. When Jesus was on earth, He went through extreme pressure, yet responded with remarkable calmness. He trusted God, so He experienced 'perfect peace' (Isa. 26:3). 'Do not worry,' He said (Matt. 6:25) and Paul adds, 'Do not be anxious about anything' (Phil. 4:6). We must train our minds to trust God. Then we will know His peace in every situation.

The ultimate goal of every Christian is to become more like Jesus (Rom. 8:29). He did not live at the mercy of wrong thinking. He was not overwhelmed by pressure. Let Him transform your mind and you will prove His victory in every area of your life.

To Meditate On

God wants you to align your thinking with His.

'The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace' (Rom. 8:6).

'You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you' (Isa. 26:3).

Paul says, 'we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ' (2 Cor. 10:5).

Be Inspired

'Our voluntary thoughts not only reveal what we are, they predict what we will become. Except for that conduct which springs from our basic natural instincts, all conscious behaviour is preceded by and arises out of our thoughts…Anyone who wishes to check on his true spiritual condition may do so by noting what his voluntary thoughts have been over the last hours or days.'

A W Tozer.

To Consider

WRITE DOWN the names of people in the Bible who did NOT have a:

Willing mind
Humble mind
Thankful mind
Peaceful mind

To Apply

This week:

FACE UP to any issues that you have tried to avoid thinking about (e.g. baptism, baptism in the Spirit, etc).
TALK to someone or listen to a tape or read a book by someone who has a different viewpoint from yours in this matter.
BE COMPLETELY OPEN to God about it.
BE WILLING to change your thinking if you discover that you are wrong.

'Be transformed by the renewing of your mind' (Rom. 12:2).