A Righteous Mind

-This morning I want to think about your brain

-Have you ever seen a picture of a brain?

-It’s not very pretty

-It doesn’t look very impressive

-The brain is a very vital organism to us

-It is what helps us decide what to do each day

-It is what keeps your body functioning

-Involuntary response

-It is this same brain, or mind, which, while it helps us make decisions and causes our bodies to function, our minds often lead us into temptation

-As a matter of fact, the mind can be our greatest enemy in trying to live the life of holiness that God has called us to live

-Satan knows this and attacks us on that front incessantly

-If we are prone to fall from temptation of anger, he will bring into our minds the faults of others

-If we are prone to fall from temptation of lust, he will bring into our minds images of others to entice us

-If we are prone to fall from temptation of greed, he will bring into our minds schemes of how to make money

-If we are prone to fall the temptation to smoke or drink or do something else harmful to our bodies, he will bring into our minds the thoughts of being around others who do these things

-If we are prone to fall from temptation of pride, he will bring into our minds thoughts of how good we are

-Whatever your temptation is, Satan will bring to your mind thoughts of how “good” it is

-Though those thoughts are really a lie, they seem true to us

-At least at the time

-This has led many to call the fight with temptation, “the battlefield of the mind”

-The Bible has much to say about our minds

-God knows all about Satan’s efforts in this area and has designed a plan for you to help you

-Though many do not follow Him in it

-Today, I want to speak to you about having a righteous mind

-Ephesians 4:17-24

I. The Problem

A. We all have carnal minds

-Ephesians 2:1-3

-You see, your mind desires to do evil

-It’s part of the whole sin nature within us

-You mind is inherently unholy

-The difficulty is that unholy things are going to behave in unholy ways

-You cannot truly expect your unholy mind to do anything but try to get you to do unholy things

-And usually it succeeds

-Your carnal mind fuels your sinful actions

-Our minds and hearts are linked

-Matthew 9:4

-So, a carnal mind is bound to lead to evil actions

-Why, because sinners sin, it is our nature

-Kangaroos jump

-Lions roar

-Birds fly

-Flowers bloom

-The earth rotates

B. Carnal minds lead to death

-Romans 8:6-7

-Why? Because it is enmity against God

-Enmity is simply being in a state of warfare against

-So, when we are carnally minded, we are at war with God

-We are trying to stamp it out

-Which I think can never totally be accomplished

-We are using every means available to us

-Some that are even controversial

-I say all of that to say that the reason God will not tolerate a carnal mind is because it is a sign that the individual is at war against Him

II. The Answer

-Mind renewal

-Romans 12:1-2

-The big question is, “how is the mind renewed?”

-I often read this passage and wondered, How is that done? How is the mind renewed?”

-Well, it’s done by two means

A. By ourselves

1. Taking captive evil thoughts

-II Corinthians 10:4-6

2. Concentrating on holy things

-Philippians 4:8

B. By the Holy Spirit

-This is accomplished through sanctification

1. He cleanses it

-From thoughts of the past

-We are cleansed, we are made holy through and through, including our thought lives

2. He keeps it

-From thoughts of the past

-Evil thoughts are never far from us, but they can be kept at bay by the power of the Holy Spirit

III. Practical Tips

A. Tell yourself the truth

1. Don’t coddle your evil thoughts

-They may be common, but that doesn’t make them acceptable

2. Don’t rename them

-Call a spade, a spade

-We spoke last week about how many seek to rename or reclassify sin

B. Watch and pray

-Luke 22:46

-The best, most surefire way to get rid of evil thoughts when they surface is to go to God in prayer

-Often, we try to fight them in our own mind, which is always futile

-Why do we so seldom go to the one who made us for help when we are facing an evil thought?

C. Replace the evil thoughts

-Romans 12:21

1. With scripture

a. Read it

-When evil thoughts arise, pull out the Good Book

-Not “a” good book, but “THE” Good Book