Strengthened in Our Mind
Have you ever wondered why when Jesus spoke to the disciples and others, they seemed so confused? Jesus was from another world and He thought differently than we Earthlings do. Therefore, we see our Lord responding to questions with questions. He was doing this because they were asking the wrong questions.
Jesus used his questions to change their perspective. He was taking the first steps in changing they way they think. We see Paul furthering the work of this new way of thinking when he wrote to the Church at Rome, "for I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established" Romans 1:11 NKJV
So, where exactly did Paul want to establish those he was writing to? In the mind! The word "established" refers to a work of strengthening the mind. It means to be made stable, strengthened, to render constant, confirm, one's mind.
It's not just important what we know, but our perspective as a new creation in Christ. It's "how" we think. It's a new way of thinking based on a new reality.
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There is no greater work you will do in Christ than strengthening your thinking process. It is the very thing that we see in the Book of Proverbs as the most important duty we have. We must guard our heart above all else.
The word heart, is specifically referring to our mind. To our thinking. We can know hundreds of scriptures. Many atheists do. The demons do. Yet, as important as it is to know the scriptures, how we think about them is what changes lives. It's what brings us closer to our Father.
Everything in our relationship with the Lord comes only after a mind is renewed. Without a changed mind, there is no faith in God. There is no obedience. There is no fruit. God is very generous with His grace but there is also an expectation that those who are in Christ will grow in their thinking and bear fruit.
Jesus used his questions to change their perspective. He was taking the first steps in changing they way they think. We see Paul furthering the work of this new way of thinking when he wrote to the Church at Rome, "for I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established" Romans 1:11 NKJV
So, where exactly did Paul want to establish those he was writing to? In the mind! The word "established" refers to a work of strengthening the mind. It means to be made stable, strengthened, to render constant, confirm, one's mind.
It's not just important what we know, but our perspective as a new creation in Christ. It's "how" we think. It's a new way of thinking based on a new reality.
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Above All Else
Paul is referring to using a spiritual gift to establish and confirm their way of thinking. He was complimenting their faith and wanted to spend time with them to lock in that work and even grow from it himself. He desired to use his spiritual gift as a tool for galvanizing their thinking. Great thinking leads to great faith!First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. ... that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. - Romans 1:8, 12 NKJV
There is no greater work you will do in Christ than strengthening your thinking process. It is the very thing that we see in the Book of Proverbs as the most important duty we have. We must guard our heart above all else.
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. - Proverbs 4:23 NLT
The word heart, is specifically referring to our mind. To our thinking. We can know hundreds of scriptures. Many atheists do. The demons do. Yet, as important as it is to know the scriptures, how we think about them is what changes lives. It's what brings us closer to our Father.
A Higher Way of Thinking
This is why Jesus, Paul and the disciples worked so hard to reveal not just what God thinks, but how He thinks. There is a higher way of thinking that opens up a world that cannot be perceived by those who are not in Christ.Everything in our relationship with the Lord comes only after a mind is renewed. Without a changed mind, there is no faith in God. There is no obedience. There is no fruit. God is very generous with His grace but there is also an expectation that those who are in Christ will grow in their thinking and bear fruit.
If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. - Ephesians 4:21-24 NKJV
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Take Action!
How do I begin or continue in being transformed by the renewing of my mind?
You will see on our website sidebar the saying, "Do the things God told you to do and let Him do the things He said He would do." The Lord is faithful to give us mercy and grace, everyday. So, let's let Him do that, while we focus on the commands that lead to thinking like Jesus thinks.
Here are few resources to help develop your thinking and putting on the mind of Christ:
Please, add your thoughts in the comment section.
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Concept: “Strengthened in our mind is thinking like Jesus thinks.”
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