E27 - Renewing the Mind

Hope's Harbor Podcast - Gritty Bible Devotions

Paul tells Christians in Romans 12:2 not to be like the world, which means its beliefs and practices. He also warns in 2Cor 11:14 - 'And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.' Satan who likes for people to think he doesn't exist or that his influence isn't too big in this world - one way being through humor - "I'm looking at you Loki!" Do you know what I mean?
Full show notes at hopesharbor.net
Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #27

Title: Renewing the Mind

Date: November 8, 2021

Contact: [e-mail]

Key verse(s): Renewing the Mind – Key verse: Romans 12:2 – ‘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.’

Intro: Why do you think Paul warns Christians, ‘do not be conformed to this world?’ First, he means the world's belief systems, practices, and customs when they oppose GOD and His Word.

Second, the world’s systems belong to a malevolent being, Satan.

And by the way, one of the ways Satan operates is to minimize his presence and influence in the world. He does this by using humor. When many people picture Satan or the Devil, what image comes to mind? Yes, a man with a red suit, small horns, and pointy tail, and a pitchfork.

But he is a highly intelligent being with much experience at deceiving and destroying people. However, I don’t want to get off on a tangent here.

It’s better to focus on renewing our minds according to GOD’s design and using the Bible as our guide.

Devotion focus: Our mind’s focus determines renewal or not

What we allow our mind to focus on determines our outlook on life, shapes our decisions, affects our reactions.

If I focus only on negative thoughts (think national/world news – politics, etc.) it wouldn’t take me long to slide into depression.

But if I focus my mind on positive, healthy thoughts such as GOD’s sovereign power over all creation, including controlling the destiny of nations; if I think about GOD’s love which He declares in Romans 8:38&39:

Romans 8:38 – ‘For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

Romans 8:39 - ‘nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ then I’m less likely to fall prey to destructive thoughts.

My experience with renewing my mind has involved counseling in the past. I learned through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to replace negative, toxic thoughts and self-hatred with positive truth about my position before GOD.

And then, understanding my position led me to understand better my identity within GOD.

I’m going to cover just a few verses to help with the process of renewing your own mind, if this is something you want to do. They have to do with something Jesus said in John 15:9; what He prayed in John 17, and Paul wrote about in Colossians 3:3.

John 15:9 - "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.”

John 17:9 - "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.

John 17:16 - They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

John 17:20 - "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;

Colossians 3:3 – ‘For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.’

If you and I could only believe these verses alone, we could face most anything in life that

Show notes at HopesHarbor.net