C. BOSTIAN HAVING
A BEAUTIFUL MIND: OCT.21, 2003
Rom 8:5-7
5 For those who live according to the flesh set
their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit,
the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is
life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God;for it is not
subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
Eph 4:17-24
17 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, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God,
because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their
heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have
given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20
But you have not so learned
Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the
truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old
man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in
the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created
according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Prov 23:7
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat
and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
MOST
OF US CAN’T HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FACE OR A BEAUTIFUL BODY BUT WE CAN ALL HAVE A
BEAUTIFUL MIND. THIS MORNING I WANT TO
TALK TO YOU ABOUT HAVING A BEAUTIFUL MIND.
A FEW WEEKS AGO I MADE A REFERENCE TO THE MIND BEING THE AVENUE THROUGH
WHICH TEMPTATION COMES. WHAT WE PUT
INTO OUR MINDS AND MEDITATE ON THROUGHOUT THE DAY DETERMINES HOW OUR DAY GOES
AND WHETHER WE WALK IN VICTORY OR DEFEAT.
PAUL SAID IN ROM.8:7 THAT TO BE CARNALLY MINDED IS DEATH. SO THE ANTITHISIS MUST BE TRUE: TO BE
SPIRITUALLY MINIDED IS LIFE AND PEACE.
SOLOMON TELLS US IN PROV.23:7 THAT AS A MAN THINKS IN HIS HEART SO IS
HE. YOUR DAILY THOUGHTS DETERMINE YOUR
DESTINY IN CHRIST. IT WOULD DO US WELL
TO MANAGE THE THOUGHTS WE MEDITATE ON THROUGH THE DAY. THE PROBLEM WITH MOST CHARASMATICS OR
PENTECOSTALS IS WE DON’T THINK AT ALL AND SUBSEQUENTLY WE DON’T FULFILL DESTINY
NOR DE WE MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE.
GEORGE
BARNA DID A SURVEY ON THE TOP 3 INFLUENCERS ON OUR CULTURE AND THEY ARE: 1.
MOVIES 2. TV 3. SPORTS CELEBRITIES.
THE CHURCH WASN’T EVEN IN THE TOP 29.
SO DON’T WORRY, NOBODY IS LISTENING TO YOU. THE CHURCH IS NOT HAVING AS BIG AN IMPACT ON OUR CULTURE AS YOU
THOUGHT IT DID. MOST CHURCHES COULD
SHOUT DOWN AND THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR CULTURE WOULDN’T EVEN NOTICE
IT. NOW, THAT OUGHT TO GET A BUNCH OF
DEAD, MISGUIDED CHRISTIANS UPSET AND GET THE IDEA THAT ASSEMBLING HERE FOR
CHURCH IS NOT THE GOAL. INFLUENCE IN
THE WORLD IS OUR GOAL.
John 7:37-39
37 On
the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice,
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes
in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within
him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were
later to receive.
GOD
HAS PROMISED ALL OF US A GREAT LIFE BUT MOST OF US HAVE BLOCKAGES UP SO
THAT WE CANNOT RECEIVE IT. THATABUNDANT
LIFE, JESUS SAID WOULD FLOW OUT OF YOUR BELLY OR YOUR INNERMOST PART OF YOUR
BEING AND FILL YOUR WHOLE BEING WITH THE LIFE OF THE SPIRIT. IN ROM.8 WE LEARN ABOUT WHERE THAT RIVER OF
LIFE INTERSECTS YOUR LIFE AND MINE. AND VERSES 5-7 TELLS US THAT IT IS
THROUGH THE MIND THAT THE SPIRIT INTERSECTS OUR LIFE. I WANT TO LOOK AT FIVE OBSERVATIONS THAT
FLOW OUT OF THAT TEXT ABOUT THE MIND AND HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERACTS AND
INTERSECTS WITH OUT LIVES THERE. I HAVE
GOTTEN THIS MATERIAL FROM A BOOL CALLED “FLOW” WRITTEN BY THE HEAD OF THE
PSYCHOLOGY DEPART AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.
Ps 139:17-18
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How
vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to
count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still
with you.
OBSERVATION 1. YOU MIND IS A CEASELESSLY ACTIVE FOUNTAIN OR STREAM
FROM WHICH YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE FLOWS. WHAT IS FLOWING INSIDE OF YOU
IS A STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS. YOU’RE
HAVE A CEASELESS EXPERIENCE OF THOUGHTS RIGHT NOW. TRY TO PICTURE YOUR MIND LIKE
A TRANSMISSION WIRE THAT CARRIES TELEPHONE COMMUNI-CATIONS. YOUR MIND IS RIGHT NOW THINKING ABOUT WHAT
I’M SAYING BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT THERE IS A LOT OF USELESS INFORMATION THAT
IS PASSING THROUGH YOUR MIND. FOR
EXAMPLE, YOU LOOKED DOWN AND READ YOUR BIBLE IN ROM.8 AND YOU MIGHT HAVE
THOUGHT, I WONDER WHAT PAUL MEANT BY THAT.
THEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR NAILS AND YOU BEGIN TO SCOLD YOURSELF FOR BITING
YOUR NAILS. I HOPE NOBODY SEES MY
NAILS, I FEEL SO EMBARRASED. AND THOSE
KIND OF THOUGHTS JUST KEEP FLOWING. I
THINK MY BOSS IS MAD AT ME AND THAT MAKES ME BITE MY NAILS MORE. I’M WORRIED ABOUT THAT. I’D REALLY LIKE TO
TELL HIM WHAT I THINK ABOUT HIM. HEY,
THERE’S A COUPLE SITTING IN FRONT OF US HOLDING HANDS ANYMORE. THAT IS SO PRECIOUS. I WONDER WHY WE DON’T HOLD HANDS ANY
MORE. THEY LOOK HAPPIER THAN US. THERE MARRIAGE MUST BE BETTER THAN
OURS. AND LOOK AT THAT GIRL, I CAN’T BELIEVE
SHE WORE THAT TO CHURCH. NOW THAT’S
YOUR MIND RIGHT NOW WHILE I’M TALKING ITS GOING NON STOP. YOU MIND IS HAVING A SERIES OF THOUGHTS
THAT NEVER CEASES. YOUR MIND IS
NEVER STILL AND YOU’RE HAVING THOUGHTS AT SUCH A STAGGERING RATE THAT YOU DON’T
EVEN REMEMBER WHAT YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AGO. YOU MIND IS A CEASELESSLY FLOWING STREAM OUT
OF WHICH COMES YOUR LIFE.
Philip. 3:15 (MsgB)
So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who
want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind,
something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll
see it yet!
Luke 13:24 (MsgB)
"Whether
few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The
way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you
are going to assume that you'll sit down to God's salvation banquet just
because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives.
OVERSERVATION 2. EVERY PERSON
IN THE WORLD HAS CERTAIN PATTERNS OR HABITS WHEN IT COMES TO THE NATURE OF
THOUGHTS THAT RUN THROUGH THEIR MIND.
1 Cor. 7:23 (MsgB)
All of you, slave and free both, were once held
hostage in a sinful society. Then a huge sum was paid out for your ransom. So
please don't, out of old habit, slip back into being or doing what everyone
else tells you.
SOMEONE
COMES UP TO YOU THIS MORNING AND SAYS, YOUR LOOK GREAT. AN OPTIMIST WILL THINK,
WHAT A FRIENDLY GUY. A NARSASSIST WILL
THINK, I WAS JUST THINKING THE SAME THING, TELL ME MORE, YOU FASINATE ME. A
PESSEMIST WILL THINK, THE LIGHTING IN HERE MUST BE REALLY BAD. A CYNIC WILL
THINK THIS PERSON IS TRYING TO RECRUIT ME INTO THE CHILDREN’S MINISTRY.
NOW,
THE NAMES WE USE TO DESCRIBE A PERSONS PERSONALITY LIKE INTROVERT, BRAVE
OR TALKATIVE SIMPLY REFER TO THE SPECIFIC PATTERNS OF THOUGHT THAT TEND TO RUN
MORE CONSISTENTLY IN THAT PERSON’S MIND.
THAT FLOW DETERMINES YOUR IDENTITY, IT DESTERMINES YOUR
PERSOANALITY AND IT DETERMINES YOUR CHARACTER, ITS THE WAY YOU EXPERIENCE LIFE
AND REALITY. THAT INNER FLOW OF YOUR
MIND IS YOUR LIFE FOR BETTER OR WORSE.
SO THERE’S A RIVER GOING ON INSIDE EVERYONE OF US. IT MAY BE A LIVING WATER THAT’S PURE AND
GIVES YOU LIFE OR THE STREAM IS A TOXIC RIVER THAT GIVES YOU POISION OR
BITTERNESS. AND THAT FLOW OF THINKING
OR THAT FLOW OF THOUGHT, NOT YOUR SITUATION NOR YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES,
DETERMINES THE KIND OF EXISTENCE YOU WILL EXPERIENCE IN LIFE. THAT’S WHY SOLOMON SAID, AS A MAN THINKS IN
HIS HEART SO IS HE. THAT’S NOT A SINGLE
THOUGHT BUT THAT RIVER OF CEASELESS THOUGHTS DETERMINIES THE QUALITY OF YOUR
LIFE.
Galatians 5:19-26 (MsgB)
It is
obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the
time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and
emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; [20] trinket gods;
magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition;
all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love
or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided
pursuits; [21] the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival;
uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could
go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your
freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom. [22] But what happens
when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that
fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about
life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of
compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates
things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, [23] not
needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies
wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way.
[24] Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our
own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is
killed off for good—crucified. [25] Since this is the kind of life we have
chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as
an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its
implications in every detail of our lives. [26] That means we will not compare
ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have
far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
ONE
OF THE GREAT ILLUSIONS OF OUR DAY IS THAT WE THINK THAT LASTING AUTHENTIC JOY
CAN BE OBTAINED BY CHANGING SOMEONE’S EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES. BUT THE
TRUTH IS THAT THE FLOW OF THOUGHS IN PEOPLE’S MINDS IS VIRTUALLY NEVER ALTERED
OVER THE LONG HAUL BY YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
A STUDY RECENTLY DONE BY DR. JANICE BOWMAN LOOKS AT 22 PEOPLE WHO WON
THE LOTTERY. THAT’S A METAPHOR IN OUR
CULTURE OF’ HITING IT BIG, OR THE GOOD LIFE, OR BEING HAPPY.’ SO 22 PEOPLE WHO WON THE LOTTERY ARE STUDIED
AND IN SIX MONTHS THEY ARE AT THE SAME HAPPINESS LEVEL AS THEY WERE BEFORE THEY
WON THE LOTTERY. EVEN MORE EXTRORDINARY
IS A GROUP OF 29 PEOPLE WHO WERE IN ACCIDENTS AND BECAME QUADRAPLEGICS WHO
AFTER SIX MONTHS WERE AT THE SAME HAPPINESS LEVEL THEY WERE AT BEFORE THEIR
ACCIDENTS. AND WHAT’S MORE IS THAT THEY WERE MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT WHAT THEIR
FUTURE PROSPECTS WERE FOR HAPPINESS THAN THE LOTO WINNERS WERE. SO UNDERSTAND THAT OVER THE LONG HAUL,
CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT TEND TO CHANGE, BY THEMSELVES, THE NATURE OF THOUGHTS THAT
FLOW THROUGH YOUR MIND AND THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE. CIRCUMSTANCES: IF I HAD MORE MONEY, IF I
COULD JUST DRIVE THAT CAR, IF I COULD JUST LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD, IF MY MARRIAGE
WAS JUST LIKE PASTOR’S, IF I MADE MORE MONEY, IF I HAD JUST MARRIED HIM OR IF I
HAD JUST MARRIED HER. YOU’D BE THE SAME
MISERABLE PERSON YOU ARE RIGHT NOW AT A HIGHER LEVEL. YOU SEE, THE WAY YOU
ARE NOW IS DETERMINED BY THE WAY YOU THINK.
WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS TO CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK CAUSE THOUGHTS HAVE
CONSEQUENCES AND THEY SHAPE OUR LIVES.
John 6:63 (MsgB)
The
Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don't make anything happen.
Every word I've spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making.
John 12:49-50 (KJV)
For I
have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a
commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. [50] And I know that
his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the
Father said unto me, so I speak….and the words I speak bring you the power
to live.
OBERSERVATION 3: EVERY THOUGHT HAS THE POWER TO MOVE ME INTO THE FLOW
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT OR CLOSE ME OFF FROM IT. SO HOW DO
I KNOW WHAT KIND OF THOUGHTS ARE THE THOUGHT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT? HOW DO I KNOW THAT GOD IS AT WORK IN MY
MIND? I’M GONNA GIVE YOU THE SIMPLEST
ANSWER THIS MORNING. COGNATIVE
PSYCHOLOGISTS WHO STUDY THE MIND SAY THAT EVERY THOUGHT COMES WITH A SMALL
EMOTIONAL CHARGE. EVERY THOUGHT
MAKES YOU A LITTLE BIT SADDIER OR A LITTLE BIT HAPPIER. SOME OF THEM CARRY A HEAVY EMOTIONAL CHARGE
THAT CAN LEAD YOU TOWARDS RAGE OR ANGER OR EUPHORIA OR SO ON. BUT ALL THOUGHTS HAVE AN EMOTIONAL
CHARGE. NOW THAT’S JUST SECULAR
PSYCHOLOGISTS WHO STUDY THE MIND. BUT
LISTEN TO PAUL AND HIS DISCRIPTION OF YOUR THOUGHTs. HE SAYS THAT EVERY THOUGHT CARRIES A SPIRITUAL CHARGE. YOU SEE, THEY ARE NOT FAR FROM THE
TRUTH. YOUR THOUGHTS CARRY A SPIRITUAL
CHARGE AND ACCORDING TO ROM.8:6 THOUGHTS THAT ARE IN ALLIGNEMENT TO THE FLESH
AND ARE IN OPPOSITION TO GOD LEAD TO DEATH.
AND THOUGHTS IN AGREEMENT WITH GOD ALWAYS LEAD TO LIFE AND PEACE. SO WHAT PAUL IS SAYING IN REAL LIFE IS THAT
WE ALL WRESTLE EVERY DAY WITH GOOD AND BAD THOUGHTS. SO PAUL IS USING THIS SHARP CONTRAST TO EXPRESS THE IDEA THAT
EVERY THOUGHT YOU HAVE CARRIES WITH IT A LITLE EMOTIONAL OR SPIRITUAL
CHARGE. EVERY THOUGHT IS EITHER OPENING
YOU UP AND ENABLING YOU AND EMPOWERING YOU TO DEAL WITH REALITY AND LIVE A
VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE OR ITS ROBBING YOU OF THE POWER TO LIVE YOUR LIFE IN
A KINGDOM WAY. SO PAUL CONTRASTS THE
CARNAL MIND WHICH LEADS TO DEATH AND THE SPIRITUAL MIND LEADS TO LIFE AND
PEACE. EVERY THOUGHT IS LEADING YOU A
LITTLE BIT MORE IN ONE DIRECTION OR THE OTHER AND THAT’S HOW YOU DETERMINE
WHETHER YOU HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST OR NOT.
ITS NOT YOUR HAIRSTYLE OR YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES ITS HOW YOU THINK. IF YOU ARE THINKING THOUGHTS THAT ORIGINATED
WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT THEY WILL ALWAYS LEAD YOU INTO FAITH, HOPE AND LIFE.
LET
ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE: I DON’T THINK I’LL EVER AMOUNT TO MUCH, I CAN’T PASS THAT ENTRANCE EXAM SO I DON’T
THINK I CAN GET AN EDUCATION…AND IF I CAN’T GET AN EDUCATION I DON’T THINK I
CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE. SO I JUST
DON’T THINK GOD WANTS ME TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
NOW HOW MANY TIMES DID HE SAY, ‘ I DON’T THINK.?” YOU SEE, WHAT ARE THOSE THOUGHTS LEADING
TO? NOT LIFE BUT DEATH. YOU SEE WE OFTEN GET INTO TROUBLE WHEN WE
PLAY GAMES WITH OUR MINDS AND RATIONALIZE SOME THOUGHTS AS SPIRITUAL WHEN THEIR
NOT. FOR EXAMPLE: A GUY DRIVES PAST
CULVERS AND WANTS SOME ISCREAM AND PRAYS.
GOD I ONLY WANT ISCREAM IF ITS YOUR WILL FOR MY LIFE SO IF THERE’S A
SPACE IN FRONT OF IT WHEN I DRIVE BY I’LL KNOW ITS YOUR WILL AND THIS DESIRE IS
FROM YOU. SO SURE ENOUGH AFTER THE 7TH
TIME AROUND THE BLOCK, THERE’S A PARKING PLACE. YOU SEE, THAT’S NOT SPIRITUAL THAT’S A GAME. SO MARK THIS DOWN, ALL THOUGHTS HAVE A
LITTLE SPIRITUAL CHARGE AND THE THOUGHTS OF THE MIND THAT ARE SET ON THE HOLY
SPIRIT ALWAYS LEAD TOWARDS HOPE AND NEVER DESPAIR; THEY REACH TOWARDS VIRTUE
AND NEVER TOWARDS SIN; ALWAYS REACHES FOR TRUTH AND NEVER AN ILLUSION,
DECEPTION OR A LIE; THEY ALWAYS LEAD TOWARDS GROWTH AND NEVER TOWARDS
STAGNATION; THEY ALWAYS LEAD TO LIFE.
GOD’S THOUGHTS CAN NEVER LEAD TO DEATH.
HE SAYS MY THOUGHTS TOWARDS YOU ARE GOOD.
Jer 29:11-14
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a
hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to
you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your
heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from
your captivity;
GOD’S
GOOD THOUGHTS TOWARDS US ALWAYS COME TO GIVE US HOPE FOR A FUTURE FILLED WITH
GOD KIND OF POSSIBILITIES. NOT ONE DAY
OF YOUR LOUSY LIFE YOUR STINKIEST, MISERABLE FAILING DAY DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT
COME TO YOU WITH WORDS THAT BRING CONDEMNATION, DESPAIR, FUTILITY AND HOPLESNESS. IT WON’T EVERY HAPPEN. HE MAY IDENTIFY YOUR PROBLEM AND SAY YOU
NEED TO DEAL WITH THAT AND REPENT. BUT HE’LL NEVER CONDEMN YOU AND MAKE YOU
THINK ITS ALL OVER CAUSE IT ONLY BEGINS A NEW ONCE YOU SAY YOU’RE SORRY. WE ONLY GET THAT FATALISM FROM THE CHRISTIAN
TALABAN WHO ALWAYS REMINDS US HOW BAD WE ARE AND HOW UNWORTHY YOU ARE AND WHEN
YOU’RE THINKING THOSE THOUGHTS ITS NOT COMING FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT. THEY CARRY A NEGATIVE CHARGE AND THEY WILL
ALWAYS PROMOTE DEATH.
NOW
HOW DO YOU LEARN TO KEEP THE FLOW OF THE HOLY SPIRIT GOING. YOU NEED TO LEARN HOW TO SHUT DOWN THOSE
THOUGHTS THAT ARE COMING RIGHT OUT OF HELL VERSES THE THOUGHTS THAT ARE COMING
FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT. AND THE ONES THAT
ARE COMING TO US FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE HARD FOR US TO RECEIVE BECAUSE WE
HAVE A PEDIGREE OF DEPRAVITY AND DARKNESS.
ITS JUST REALLY, REALLY HAD TO BELIEVE THAT EVERY THOUGHT THAT GOD HAS
TOWARDS YOU ARE REALLY GOOD BECAUSE OF YOU ROTTEN UPBRINGING. YOU MIND HAS ADOPTED THE 2ND
OBSERVATION OF A BAD HABIT OR PATTEN OF THINKING THAT BLOCKS THE THOUGHTS OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT SO ITS HARD FOR YOU TO BELIEVE IT AND RECEIVE IT. SO, YOU BELIEVE THE WORST ABOUT YOURSELF AND
YOUR FUTURE.
OBSERVATION 4: THE NATURAL TENDENCY OF THE MIND APART FROM GOD IS TO
LEAN TOWARDS DEATH AND NOT TOWARDS LIFE. IN ROM.8:7 IT SAYS THAT THE
MIND OF THE FLESH IS HOSTILE TOWARDS GOD AND DOES NOT SUBMITT TO GOD’S LAW NOR
CAN IT DO SO. HERE’S ONE OF THE THINGS
RESEARCHERS FOUND. WHEN PEOPLE ARE
ALONE AND NOT DISTRACTED BY NOISE OR ACTIVITY, THEIR MINDS NATURALLY DRIFT
TOWARDS AWARENESS OF DISCONTENTMENT OR ANGER OR A SENSE OF INADEQUACY, ANXIETY
ABOUT THE FUTURE AND CHRONIC SELF PRE-OCCUPATION. SO WHEN THERE IS NO DISTRACTION OR ACTIVITY FOR THE MIND TO FOCUS
ON IT NATURALLY LEANS TOWARDS THE NEGATIVE.
THIS IS GENERALLY WHY PEOPLE FLEE FROM SOLITUTED AND WHY GOD TOLD ADAM
IT WAS NOT GOOD FOR HIM TO BE ALONE. DO
YOU KNOW ONE OF THE WORST FORMS OF PUNISHMENT IS SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. WHY? BECAUSE PEOPLE HATE TO BE ALONE WITH
THEIR MINDS. AND IT’S A VERIFIABLE FACT
THAT WHEN HUMAN BEINGS ARE LEFT ALONE WITH THEIR MINDS THAT THEIR THOUGHTS LEAN
TOWARDS BEING DISCONTENT, FILLED WITH ANXIETY, FEAR AND A SENSE OF INADEQUACY
AND THOUGHTS THAT LEAN TOWARDS DEATH.
THAT’S WHY TV IS SO ADDICTIVE, IT HELPS PEOPLE ESCAPE FROM THE REALITY
OF THEIR WICKED MINDS. TV IS THE
EASIEST DISTRACTION FOR MY MIND. PEOPLE
DON’T WATCH IT CAUSE ITS SO FULFILLING BUT BECAUSE IT’S A DISTRACTION FROM
THEIR REALITY AND IT MAKES THEM FEEL BETTER.
DO YOU
KNOW WHY TEENAGERS COME HOME FROM BIBLE CAMP WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND ALL
FIRED UP FOR THE LORD? ITS BECAUSE THE
CAMP HAS REMOVED ALL THE NOISY DISTRACTIONS FROM THEIR LIVES THAT LEANS TOWARDS
THE NEGATIVE AND HELPS THEM FOCUS ON THAT RIVER OF LIFE THAT FLOWS FROM GOD. QUITE SIMPLY THE MENTAL DISTRACTIONS HAVE
BEEN REMOVED AND THEIR MINDS HAVE BEEN RENEWED, REVIVED AND INVIGORATED WITH
GOD’S THOUGHTS. THE SAME THING WILL
HAPPEN TO US WHEN WE REMOVE THE MENTAL DISTRACTIONS FROM OUR CARNAL MINDS.
Ephes. 4:17-23 (MsgB)
And so
I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the
crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. ( that’s locked up with death
producing thoughts) [18] They've refused for so long to deal with God that
they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. [19] They can't
think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual
obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. [20] But that's no life for
you. You learned Christ! [21] My assumption is that you have paid careful
attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in
Jesus. [22] Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and
I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten
through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of
life—a God-fashioned life, [23] a life renewed from the inside
PAUL
TELLS US IN ROM. 1:28 THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE SHUT GOD OFF COMPLETELY OUT OF THEIR
THOUGHTS THAT GOD GAVE THEM OVER TO A DEPRAVED OR REPROBATE MIND. THAT’S PRETTY SACRY. SOMEBODY GIVEN OVER TO A DEPRAVED MIND IS
UNENDING DISCONTENT, RELENTLESS FEAR AND CEASELESS SELF OBSESSED. I HOPE YOU CAN SEE THAT THIS PERSON DOESN’T
NEED ANY OUTSIDE TORTURE TO PUNISH THEM CAUSE THAT’S THE DEPTH OF MISERY AND
PAIN THEY ARE EXPERIENCING IN THEIR MINDS.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW ONE THING, THIS IS NEVER GOD’S DESIRE FOR ANYBODY,
ITS THEIR CHOICE. GOD WANTS EVERYONE OF
US TO HAVE MINDS THAT ARE PERMEATED WITH LIFE GIVING THOUGHTS THAT ARE GOING TO
OPEN YOU UP TO THE HOLY SPIRIT REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE YOU’RE GOING
THROUGH RIGHT NOW! HOWEVER BAD IT IS:
WHETHER IT’S THE BUSINESS WORLD, YOUR MARRIAGE, REBELLIOUS KIDS OR A PERSONAL
FAILURE IN YOUR LIFE, GOD WANTS TO GIVE YOU LIFE AND PEACE THROUGH IT ALL AS
YOU KEEP YOUR MIND ON HIM.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (KJV)
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. [4] Trust ye in the Lord for ever:
for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:
Isaiah 26:3-6 (MsgB)
People
with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, Steady on their feet,
because they keep at it and don't quit. [4] Depend on God and keep at it
because in the Lord God you have a sure thing. [5] Those who lived high and
mighty he knocked off their high horse. He used the city built on the hill as
fill for the marshes. [6] All the exploited and outcast peoples build their
lives on the reclaimed land.
2 Tim. 1:7 (KJV)
For
God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a
sound mind.
ONE OF
THE PEROGATIVES OF BEING A CHRISTIAN IS THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES ME THE POWER
AND THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE OUR THOUGHTS AND POSSESS THE POWER OF THE MIND
OF CHRIST. THE MIND OF CHRIST IS THE
CURRENT THOUGHTS THAT GOD IS THINKING TOWARDS YOU RIGHT NOW. AND I’LL BET THEY’RE BETTER THAN YOUR OWN
THOUGHTS.
1 Cor. 2:16 (KJV)
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he
may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
OBSERVATION 5: THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MEANS YOU CAN CHOOSE WHAT
THOUGHTS YOU WILL LISTEN TO. THE
HOLY SPIRIT IS MORE THAN SPIRITUAL GIFTS, HOT FLASHES, FALLING DOWN AND SHAMBA
SHAMBA. NOW ALL THOSE THINGS ARE NICE BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN ALSO GIVE YOU
WISDOM TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE. DO YOU
REALIZE THAT IF YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS THAT YOU CAN CHANGE THE DIRECTION
OF YOUR LIFE AND MAKE SOMETHING PITIFUL: PRODUCTIVE, FRUITFUL AND GREAT.
NOW
LET ME USE A BIT OF EXTREME TO MAKE A POINT.
I DON’T CARE IF YOU EVER GET SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT. YOU SAY, YEA BUT I GOT AN ANOINTING, YEA BUT
YOU DON’T GOT A BRAIN. WHAT GOOD IS AN
ANOINTING WITHOUT A BRAIN. YOU STILL
GOT A MARRIAGE THAT STINKS, YOU STILL DON’T PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME, YOU DON’T
HONOR GOD WITH YOUR TITHES BUT YOU GLOW AND SHAKE AND STAY ON THE FLOOR FOR 30
MINUTES. WHAT GOOD IS ALL OF THAT
EXCEPT A TEMPORARY CHANGE. GOD WANTS TO
MAKE SOME ETERNAL CHANGES IN US AND IT ALL BEGINS WITH A BRAIN THAT’S
FILLED WITH GOD’S THOUGHTS. LISTEN, I
DON’T CARE WHAT TULSA SAYS, THE ANOINTING ISN’T GOING TO MAKE YOU MONEY BUT
WISDOM WILL.
Proverbs 3:13-18 (MsgB)
You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you
make friends with Madame Insight. [14] She's worth far more than money in the
bank; her friendship is better than a big salary. [15] Her value exceeds all
the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her. [16] With one hand she gives long life, with
the other she confers recognition. [17] Her manner is beautiful, her life
wonderfully complete. [18] She's the
very Tree of Life to those who embrace her. Hold her tight—and be blessed!
Proverbs 8:11-19 (MsgB)
For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of
wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her. [12] "I am Lady Wisdom, and I live next
to Sanity; Knowledge and Discretion live just down the street. [13] The Fear-of-God means hating Evil,
whose ways I hate with a passion—pride and arrogance and crooked talk. [14]
Good counsel and common sense are my characteristics; I am both Insight and the
Virtue to live it out. [15] With my
help, leaders rule, and lawmakers legislate fairly; [16] With my help, governors govern,
along with all in legitimate authority. [17] I love
those who love me;
those who look for me find me.[18] Wealth and Glory
accompany me—also substantial Honor and a Good Name. [19] My benefits are worth
more than a big salary, even a very big salary; the returns on me exceed any
imaginable bonus.
LISTEN,
GOD WANTS YOU TO HAVE AN ANOINTING CAUSE IT WILL HELP YOU TO APPLY WISDOM TO
THE ESSENTIAL PARTS OF YOUR LIFE THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL BUT HE ALSO
WANTS YOU TO HAVE A BRAIN AND USE IT.
WHEN THE DISCIPLES WERE TOLD TO PICK OUT SEVEN DEACONS IN THE EARLY
CHURCH THEY WERE ADMONISHED:
Acts 6:3 (KJV)
Wherefore,
brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy
Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
I
DON’T CARE IF YOU’VE BEEN BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT YOU’RE STILL STUPID. YOU SEE, THE ANOINTING ISN’T A SUBSTITUE FOR
USING YOUR BRAIN ITS SUPPOSE TO ENHANCE IT AND STRENGTHEN IT. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MEANS I CAN
CHOOSE THE THOUGHTS I LISTEN TO. HE
HELPS ME FILTER OUT THE GOOD FROM THE BAD AND HELPS ME LEARN TO MEDITATE ON THE
GOOD. LISTEN, THIS IS A DISCIPLINE
THAT WE CAN LEARN AND WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND
DESTINY.
UNDERSTAND
THAT THERE IS A BATTLE IN LIFE LEAD BY THE DEVIL AND IT INVOLVES THE NATURE OF
THE THOUGHTS THAT OCCUPY YOUR MINDS.
AGAIN, FROM MY LAST MESSAGE: THE MIND IS THE VEHICE THROUGH WHICH
TEMPTATION PASSES THROUGH. WHEN I SEE
IT I HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE TO ACCEPT IT OR REJECT IT. THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES YOU THE POWER OF DISCERNEMENT SO THAT YOU
CAN MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS, IN YOUR
MARRIAGE AND IN YOUR CAREER.
Hebrews 5:11-12 (MsgB)
I have
a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since
you've picked up this bad habit of not listening. [12] By this time you ought
to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with
you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one—baby's milk,
when you should have been on solid food long ago! Hebrews 5:13-14 For every one that useth milk is unskillful
in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. [14] But strong meat belongeth
to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses
exercised to discern both good and evil.
DO YOU SEE THAT? ITS AN EXERCISE OR A DISCIPLINE OF THE HOLY
SPIRIT THAT ENABLES ME TO SEE CLEARLY AND MAKE THE RICHT CHOICES THAT WILL LEAD
TO LIFE AND PEACE. SO THERE’S A BATTLE
GOING ON AND YOU’RE NOT A BYSTANDER IN THE BATTLE BUT YOU MUST FIGHT THE GOOD
FIGHT OF FAITH AND LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE.
DALLAS WILLARD WRITES: THE
ULTIMATE FREEDOM WE HAVE AS HUMAN BEINGS IS THE POWER TO SELECT WHAT WE WILL
ALLOW OR REQUIRE OUR MINDS TO DWELL ON.
WE ARE LVING IN A SHAKY ECONOMY AND IF YOU LISTEN TO TOO MUCH NETWORK
NEWS IT CAN RUIN YOUR ABILITY TO TRUST GOD AND TO THINK CREATIVELY AND WITH
WISE COUNSEL AND DEVELOP A GOOD PRODUCT THAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL IN
BUSINESS. INSPITE OF THAT I AM NOT A
VICTIM TO WHAT MAY BE RANDOMLY GOING ON AROUND THE COUNTRY. IT WOULD BE REAL EASY TO GET SUCKED DOWN
INTO NEGATIVE THINKING WHICH LOWERS YOUR FAITH, WHICH LOWERS YOUR EXPECTATION
AND WHICH LOWERS YOUR PRODUCTIVITY. I
GOT TO BE THINKING EVERYBODY WANTS TO BUY MY CAR, MY HOUSE OR BUY THE PRODUCT
I’M SELLING. THAT’S THE WAY I WANT TO
GO OUT. I DON’T WANT TO BE THINKING:
‘WELL, I DON’T SUPPOSE YOU WANT TO BUY A CAR TODAY, DO YA?’ “I DON’T RECKON YOU’D WANNA BUY A HOUSE FROM
ME TODAY, WOULD YA?” WHY DO WE THINK
THAT WAY? CAUSE YOU’RE LOOSING THE
BATTLE AND NOT LISTENING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO IS CALLED THE COMFORTER OR THE
ENCOURAGER IN SCRIPTURE. THERE ARE
ALWAYS PEOPLE IN ANY RECESSION GETTING RICH.
WHY DON’T YOU JUST BE ONE OF THEM?
BUT LISTEN, YOU GOTTA CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK; ITS YOU STINKIN THINKIN
THAT’S GOTTA CHANGE.
BOY, THERE WE ARE BACK ON THAT
SUBJECT AGAIN: CHANGE. YA GOTTA BE
WILLING TO CHANGE. I GOT THIS EMAIL
LAST WEEK: If you do what you have always done, you are liable
to get what
you have always gotten. IF YOU ARE OPEN TO CHANGE THEN YOU CAN CHANGE WHAT
YOU THINK ABOUT AND DO AND YOUR RESULTS WILL CHANGE AUTOMATICALLY. YOU SEE, THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MEANS
YOU CAN CHOOSE WHAT THOUGHTS YOU WILL LISTEN TO AND HIS THOUGHTS WILL LEAD YOU
IN THE DIRECTION OF POSITIVE CHANGE THAT WILL RESULT IN ABUNDANT LIFE, SUCCESS
AND PEACE.
DO YOU KNOW THAT 90% OF COUNSELING IS IDENTIFYING WRONG THINKING AND CORRECTING THAT WITH THE LOGIC FROM GOD’S WORD. BUT YOU GOTTA CHOOSE LIFE OR DEATH. THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM TO SELECT WHAT I ALLOW MYSELF TO DWELL ON AND TO THINK ABOUT IS GIVEN TO ME BY THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT. HE WILL ALWAYS LEAD US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. PAUL TELLS US TO SET OUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE AND NOT ON EARTHLY THINGS BECAUSE THE ISSUES OF LIFE AND PEACE COME FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT.
2 Cor. 10:5 (KJV)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Cor. 10:5 (MsgB)
We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T LET YOU MIND GET ENSLAVED TO BITTERNESS, PREJUDICE, ENVY, PRIDE, JEALSOUY, ANXIETY, GREED OR SUPERIORITY. AND THE WORD TELLS US THAT THIS CAN BEGIN TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW.
HOW MANY OF YOU SAW THE MOVIE: ‘A BEAUTIFUL MIND?’ THIS IS A STORY OF JOHN NASH WHO WAS A MATHEMATICAL GENIUS BUT WAS BORDERLINE INSANE BECAUSE HE HEARD VOICES IN HIS MIND THAT MADE HIM FEEL IMPORTANT AND PLAYED ON HIS FEARS AND WHEN HE LISTENED TO THEM THEY DESTROYED HIS RELATIONSHIPS, DISTORTED HIS PERCEPTIONS AND THEY MADE HIM OBSESSIVE AND TERRIFIED. THEY WERE THOUGHTS THAT LEAD TO DEATH. SO THIS GUY WITH A BRILLANT MIND HAS TO LEARN NOT TO LISTEN TO THESE VOICES AND IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO TEST THE THOUGHTS AND VOICES IN HIS MIND AND LEARN NOT TO LISTEN TO THE ONES THAT LEAD TO DEATH. SHOW CLIP: “ I WAS THINKING I MIGHT TEACH….” I’VE GOTTEN USE TO IGNORING THEM AND AS A RESULT I THINK THEY’VE GIVEN UP ON ME. AND IN HIS BATTLE, ITS LIKE THE BATTLE WE ALL FACE, WE CAN STOP FEEDING THOSE THOUGHTS AND CHOOSE LIFE.
LATER ON IN THE MOVIE A MAN
COMES TO HIM TO TELL HIM THAT HE’S BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE NOBEL PRIZE. AND WITHOUT ADDRESSING HIM HE TURNS TO A
STUDENT LEAVING HIS CLASS AND ASKS HER: DO YOU SEE A MAN STANDING OVER THERE?
SHE SAID, YES SIR I DO. THEN HE SAID,
THEN I’LL TALK TO HIM. YOU SEE,
SOMETIMES YOU NEED OTHERS TO GIVE YOU WISE COUNSEL ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A
HISTORY OF NEGATIVE THINKING AND MAKING WRONG CHOICES. SO GOD’S GIVEN US THE HOLY SPIRIT SO THAT WE
HAVE THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE THE THOUGHTS WE MEDITATE ON AND THOSE THOUGHTS THAT
COME FROM GOD WILL FILL YOUR LIFE AND MINE WITH HOPE, FAITH AND A DIVINE
OPTIMISIM THAT WILL BRING LIFE AND PEACE.
YOU CAN HAVE A BEAUTIFUL MIND!
