Renew

John 1:19-23 (NET) Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed—he did not deny…”I am not the Christ!” 21 So they asked him, “Then who are you?  Are you Elijah?”  He said, “I am not!”  “Are you the Prophet?”  He answered, “No!” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you?  Tell us so that we can give an answer to those who sent us.  What do you say about yourself?” 23 John said, “I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

1.  He knew WHO he was 

2.  He knew WHAT he was called to do

• So often we are still trying to live out of an un-renewed mind.  

• Unfortunately our soul — mind, will, and emotions were not changed immediately. 

The un—renewed mind is…

-Defiled and Corrupt (Titus 1:15)

-Blinded by [spiritual] darkness (Eph. 5:8)

-Alienated and Hostile towards God (Col. 1:19-21)

-Set on things of the flesh (Rom. 8:5-8)

-Fixed on temporal things (Phil. 3:18-19)

Where did all of that come from? 

Matthew 15:16-20 (NLT) “Don’t you understand yet? …18 the words you speak come from the heart — that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defiles you. 

Can you think of anything from your past that has influenced or shaped the way you think today?  

• We were all born with an un-renewed mind that has either been programmed to think in agreement or contrary to a life of faith! 

Ephesians 4:17-24 (NLT) With the Lord’s authority I say this:  Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame.  They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. 

Romans 12:2 (NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Colossians 1:9-10 (NLT) So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you.  We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.  Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit.  All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

1.  A desire for a renewed mind 

Psalm 19:7-10 (NLT) The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.  The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart.  The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. 9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever.  The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. 

Do we have a desire for a renewed mind, or do we prefer to remain as we are?

2.  Approach the Bible with a heart of humility

Psalm 25:9 (ESV) He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.        

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.  “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

3.  Yield to the work of the Holy Spirit

4.  Commit ourselves to the reading and meditating on God’s Word

Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV) Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not whither — whatever they do prospers.

5.  Dwell on things above

Philippians 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 

6.  Make a daily commitment to this process

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV) Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

What adjustments are you willing to make in your life to accommodate God’s desire to renew your mind?