How To Master Your Mind- Part- 3

The human mind was created to mirror God’s own mind (Genesis 1:27). When God calls you, he expects you to begin thinking like him.

The Bible specifically talks about five vital truths we must practice to develop a mind that agrees with God.

1. “Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”(Romans 12:2)

Man is not the master of nature. He learns to control its forces by submitting to its laws. He mitigates pain and conquers disease by conforming to the laws of health. There is danger lest these habits of conformity fasten us down to a mere worldly level, and saturate all our desires with worldly estimates. On the other hand, the great uniqueness of Spirituality is transformation — not simply obedience to external conditions, but a renewing of the mind. Man is created in the image of God; and the form of his mind is to be derived from Him and not from the things which are put in subjection under Him.

The Word of God says plainly, "Be not conformed to this world" But "transformed by the renewing of our mind." Don’t allow ungodly thinking, if we allow wrong thoughts into our minds, it will result in wrong sinful actions. We must keep our minds clear, uncluttered, pure and right. By being filled with God’s Holy Spirit, it is possible to keep the garbage out of our minds. The Greek word for “transformation” in Romans 12:2 is related to the English word metamorphosis. We know that metamorphosis is the process by which a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. It’s a gradual change on the inside that produces a total transformation on the outside. When the caterpillar has been changed into a butterfly, it becomes what God always intended it to be. The same is true with our minds. We are spiritually updated as we constantly focus our minds on submitting to God and build godly character as we live His way.

2. " "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13)

When the bible says to gird up the loins of your mind? Basically it mean to protect, keep intact, ready to go, sharp, alert, ready for action. There are 3 actions expressed in verse to prepare our minds for action, think soberly, Be Holy, be an Effective Guard. What does it mean to be sober? In brief, thinking correctly, Avoiding Mental intoxication or addiction, things which want to occupy our minds. Or, just avoiding the laziness that sets into our minds... letting them wander aimlessly. Being holy means not being like the world around us. Being Holy begins in the mind, taking those thoughts, those passions and desires captive to God. As we prepare our minds for action, as we think soberly, we will be holy. Let us prepare our minds for action, be ready because He is at work. Let us be sober minded, not giving our minds over to the intoxicating desires of this world. Not giving our minds over to laziness, or numbness. Let's be alert and sober, thinking properly, bringing every thought in agreement with God as 2 Corinthians 10:5 says “ we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.”

3. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:6-8)

The word spiritual is an adjective which describes the type of individual who is "led by the spirit," i.e., the Word of God (Gal. 5:18). The word carnal is a synonym for the flesh (Gal. 5:19). The apostle Paul contrasts the spiritually minded and the carnally minded in Romans 8 To be carnally minded means to cater to the appetites and impulses of one’s human nature which is displeasing to God. Carnally minded is thinking and doing what is right in one’s own eyes which is selfishness. To be carnally minded means to be worldly minded, sense ruled, emotions driven and controlled by sin, and natural circumstances and results in what you can naturally expect. To be carnally minded means you have a mindset that is contrary to God and His Word and His will for your life. Carnal minded thinkers are always victims and never victors. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8)

On the other hand, spiritually minded as being Spirit of God led and guided instead of ego, led and guided, Word of God minded, craving for God and God’s purposes, satisfied with nothing less than God’s perfect will for your life. A spiritual mindset is nourished by intimate communion with God and meditation of His Word. Paul is saying in the same passage that as a result of the new birth the believer has a new mindset, the mindset of the Spirit. It is not just “mind” but also “attitude.” He is referring to the whole frame and disposition of our minds, and our affections and values and our enthusiasm, our very laughter and sorrows. To say that we have a “mind controlled by the Spirit” is to say that the Spirit is shaping our inner life according to the mind of the Spirit of God. Spiritually minded means you have given the Holy Spirit control of your thinking. Spiritually minded, you keep yourself focused on the Word of God as the answer which produces real lasting purity and peace and which gives you clarity of thoughts and charity in deeds and right direction. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Romans 8:14)