This was a sermon preached on  

Saginaw Valley UPC –  Saginaw, MI – November 10th, 2013 

Pentecostals Of South Haven – South Haven, MI – June 9th, 2019

and transcribed to text.

Today we are going to look at the importance of our minds from a Biblical perspective. However, before we dive into scripture, I would like to share a humorous analogy that shows the nature of our minds. When it comes to our attitude, we are usually either dog people or cat people. The literary genius, Max Lucado, shares the two following examples:

EXCERPTS FROM A DOG’S DIARY – DAY 180

• 8:00 am – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
• 9:30 am – OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
• 9:40 am – OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
• 10:30 am – OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
• 11:30 am – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
• 12:00 noon – OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
• 1:00 pm – OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
• 4:00 pm – OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
• 5:00 PM – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
• 5:30 PM – OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

EXCERPTS FROM A CAT’S DIARY

• DAY 752 – My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. 
• DAY 774 – I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The Dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The Bird on the other hand has got to be an informant. He has mastered their frightful tongue (something akin to mole speak) and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the hanging metal room, he is safe. But I can wait, it’s only a matter of time.

 

1) REALITY OF THE NATURE OF OUR MIND

• DEBASED – And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (Rom 1:28)
• BLINDED – 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. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
• HOSTILE – And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. (Colossians 1:21) 
• CORRUPT – Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1 Timothy 6:5)
• DEFILED – Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. (Titus 1:15)

WE ARE ENGAGED IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND THE BATTLE GROUND IS IN OUR MIND

• Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  
• 1 Peter 5:8 KJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

The Bible mentions many spirits:

• Spirit of Fear
• Spirit of Bondage
• Spirit of Heaviness
• Spirit of Error
• Lying Spirit
• Deaf and Dumb Spirit
• Spirit of Whoredoms
• Spirit of Adultery
• Spirit of the World
• Spirit of Jealousy
• Spirit of Infirmity
• Spirit of Divination
• Spirit of Slumber
• Spirit of Anti-Christ

A few years ago, I was privileged to purchase a brand new MacBook Pro computer. I brought it home and eagerly opened the box and unpackaged my new Mac. Once I got signed into the computer and got it set up, logged onto the Internet, I received a notification, “New software update available.”

My new computer was already out of date and needed to be updated right out of the box. The same is true with us, the Bible says in Psalm 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” We come into this world as sinners, and the grace of Jesus Christ must save us.

I was preaching earlier this year, and I saw a little boy and a little girl both under the year age of one-year-old. One was a little girl about four months older than the little boy. The little boy was so sweet and was sitting there playing with toys, but the little girl was just plain ole mean. Now, I say this because I am repeating the words of this little girl’s parents, who were standing right there. We stood there and watched as the little girl continue to take every toy away from the little boy. She had three toys in her hand, and the little boy had none.

To my knowledge, this little girl never attended a “how to be mean class.” No one sat and taught her how to make boys cry. She just came out of the “box” that way. Our minds come out of the “box” debased, blinded, hostile, corrupt, and defiled. The spirit of the Holy Ghost must regenerate our minds.

2) REGENERATING OUR MIND

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

SCRIPTURES DECLARE OUR POWER OVER DEMONIC SPIRITS 

• Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
• 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
  
• Matthew 16:18-19 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

GOD GIVES US A NEW MIND 

• WILLING MIND – There be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. (2 Corinthians 8:12)
  
• HUMILITY OF MIND – Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: (Acts 20:19)
• READINESS OF MIND – More noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)
  
• ONE MIND – Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11)

 

3) REINFORCING OUR REGENERATED MIND

• 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.  
• Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. 
• 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. 

A story has been published about a 92-year-old Christian woman who was legally blind. After her husband of 70 years died, it became necessary for her to go to a nursing home where she could receive proper care. When she arrived her attendant described her room to her, including the new curtains that had been hung on the windows. “I love it,” she declared. “But Mrs. Jones, you haven’t seen your room yet,” the attendant replied. “That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” she said. “Happiness is something you choose. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how it’s arranged. IT’S HOW I ARRANGE MY MIND.”

Your conscious mind can hold only one thought at a time, positive or negative. The only way to eliminate a negative or counter-productive thought is to replace it with a positive, empowering thought. 

1. My faith is beyond strong! 
2. I trust God completely. 
3. I am bold! 
4. I joyfully receive unshakable faith. 
5. I schedule time daily with God. 
6. I’m surrounded by Godly people. 
7. God has renewed my mind. 
8. I let go and Let God. 
9. My lifestyle supports my faith. 
10. I keep my thoughts on peace. 
11. I am calm and composed
12. I meditate on scripture.
13. I let stress melt away.
14. I rely on God’s strength. 
15. I take time to be still. 
16. My mind is serene.
17. I am free of negativity. 
18. I experience comfort. 
19. God is with me always. 

PROMISES GOD HAS FOR YOU IN THE BOOK OF EPHESIANS

I have been given spiritual blessings.
I have been chosen.
I am Holy and without blame.
I have been predestined.
I am adopted.
I am accepted.
I am redeemed.
I am forgiven.
I have been given an inheritance.
I am sealed.
I have been given the spirit of wisdom.
I have hope.
I am rich.
I have been raised from the dead with Christ.
I am alive.
I am seated with Christ.
I have been saved.
I was created for good works.
I have been brought near.
I have been reconciled.
I am a holy temple.
I was created through Jesus.
I have been given boldness.
I have been given confidence.
I have strength.
I have Christ dwelling in my heart.
I am rooted and grounded in love.
I know His Love.
I am filled with God.
I am a joint heir with Christ.

 

CONCLUSION

 

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING WITH MY MIND STAYED ON JESUS

I Woke up this mornin’ with my mind,
my mind was stayed on Jesus.
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind,
my mind was stayed on Jesus.
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind,
my mind was stayed on Jesus.
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.

Walkin’ and talkin’ with my mind,
my mind was stayed on Jesus.
Walkin’ and talkin’ with my mind,
my mind was stayed on Jesus.
Walkin’ and talkin’ with my mind,
my mind was stayed on Jesus.
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah.

SERMON SLIDES

• Regenerate Your Mind