When we begin anew with Christ Jesus all old things are passed away and all things become new. I love that with Christ we get a clean slate. Because of the blood of Jesus and His great and bountiful grace He is able to completely do away with all past sins, removing them as far as the east is from the west! From this vantage point we begin a new life in Christ Jesus, we surrender our new life to His instruction and become His disciples. So, as a disciple our desire is to learn of Jesus and become more like him. One area of discipleship that is particularly challenging is our mind. There have been numerous books written on the subject. The Word of God speaks to it here:
Ephesians 4:17 says this: This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
And then in Ephesians 4:23 - and be renewed in the spirit of your mind
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.
When you read the amplified version of Ephesians 4:23 the word for renewed means to have a fresh mental and spiritual attitude. I liken the act of renewing to the upkeep of our home. We live, and I mean LIVE in our home. That means not everything stays pristine at all times. We sleep in the bed, eat in the kitchen, track in and out the door bringing the outside in. If we did not pick-up and clean as we went it would slowly pile up and become a stinky, unorganized filthy mess. It requires our time and attention to maintain a peaceful, comfortable, restful place to come home to. And because home is the place where family should find peace and safety from the ensuing pressure of the world it is a priority.
Like our homes, our minds also need up-keep or they too will become a stinky filthy mess. What we think on matters. What we think on directly affects our emotions and feelings. What we feed our mind through media, conversations, and meditation matter! We should be mindful of our thoughts and the kingdom that we are building in our mind and be able to answer the question, does my thought life glorify the King? During the course of any given day we encounter hundreds of different scenarios that can bring us anxious, negative thoughts creating fear, dread and unrest. So, what should be our recourse as a follower of Christ?
Many people are able to quote Philippians 4:6-7 which tells us to be anxious for nothing but to pray and give thanks, making our request known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds(paraphrased), but often we stop there and don’t continue to verse 8. It is important we realize that verse 8 is the follow-up action to verse 7 where we are given specifics of what we are to begin thinking on immediately following our prayer we have made with thanksgiving. Without verse 8 our anxious thoughts might begin to play in loop mode, add an overactive imagination and we in our human thinking can create all kinds of unprofitable thoughts. Here is what we should think on according to Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.
So, there you have it, lets be mindful of our thoughts, bringing each one into alignment with the Word of God. The Spirit is there to help us in our weakness as we cry out to Him and give ourselves to meditating on His truth.
Prayer: Heavenly Father thank you for the new life I have in you, I ask you to sanctify me daily through the washing of your Word, give me the mind of Christ that I may glorify you.