Lesson 6

TEXT: Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The Bible has a lot to say about the mind and our thoughts. The reason for this is that for us to bear the Fruit of the Spirit our natures must be changed. A MAJOR key to our nature being changed is the renewing of our minds.[1]

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Romans 14:5 - One man esteems one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

1 Chron. 28:9 - And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searches all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Psalm 139:23 - Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Proverbs 12:5 - The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

Proverbs 15:26 - The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

2 Cor. 10:5 - 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;

Matthew 15:19 - For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

1 Cor. 3:20 - And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Romans 2:16 - In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

A. Our Minds And The Work Of The Holy Spirit

The spirit of God must transform the mind of man. Titus 3:5 speaks of a “renewing” of the Holy Spirit. It is the same word used in Romans 12:1-2 when Paul spoke of our “renewing” our minds. As with the process of fruit bearing, we play a role in this but we cannot expect to renew our minds in our own strength. Our minds are fallen because our nature is fallen. We need to have the SPIRIT OF GOD RENEW our mind!

Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

The word renewing comes from the Greek word anakainosis that means “again” and kainos that means “new.” It suggests a renovation, restoration and transformation brought on by a change of heart and life.

When Adam and Eve fell, their thoughts changed. Where only thoughts of purity existed, the ability to disobey God was born in the mind. The serpent used this temptation when he caused Eve to ponder in her mind whether God was telling her and Adam the truth about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 3:1 - Now the serpent was subtler than any beast of the field that the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 Cor. 11:3 - But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

The Holy Spirit’s work includes adjusting our minds’ moral and spiritual vision. The word in Romans 12:2 indicates a complete change for the better!

B. Our Minds And The Word Of God

We also renew our minds by studying the Word of God. The reason this is so important is that the Lord’s thoughts are not our thoughts!

Isaiah 55:8-9 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways, My ways, says the Lord.

Thoughts come into our minds from different sources. The thoughts that come do not always originate from us. Satan puts many thoughts into our minds from outside. Then of course, thoughts from God may come from within us. They come through our spirits into our minds.

As one stays in close fellowship with the Lord through prayer, meditation and study of the Word, it becomes easier to distinguish the source of the thought. The word says God is love and love THINKS no evil, hears no evil and sees no evil. Thoughts laced with the love of God come from our Heavenly Father. Our confession, which will either imprison us or set us free, is always the result of our thinking. It Is always necessary to KNOW what God has wrought for us and in us through Christ. This can only be found in the Word of God.

The New Birth is more than just a renovation. It is a total transformation into a new creature, including the mind. Born-again Christians are not just forgiven sinners; they are NEW CREATURES in CHRIST JESUS. We must become God-minded. The only way this is achieved is to think like Him. The only way to know those thoughts is study the Word of God.

C. Put On The Mind Of Christ

1 Cor. 2:16 - For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Philip. 2:5-7 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Romans 8:6-8 - 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, neither indeed can be. [8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Isaiah 26:3 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Jesus had a mind that was constantly on the Father. He only spoke what the Father said speak.

John 8:28 - Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

· Jesus came with a purpose - to save humanity. Our minds should be on the same.

· Jesus came lowly of heart and humble in spirit, not desiring the uppermost rooms of the synagogue or church but only seeking to help hurting humanity.

· Jesus never satisfied Himself. He always gave to others out of His own need. Ultimately, He gave the last thing that He could give, His life.

· Jesus never thought evil thoughts against any man. He was angry, but He never sinned.

Mark 10:45 - For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Arm Yourself

1 Peter 4:1 - Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

Because Christ suffered (3:18), believers are to be prepared to follow Him in suffering. This frame of mind has a purging effect, disciplining one to live FOR THE WILL OF GOD. We are to reckon ourselves DEAD TO SIN (Romans 6:11).

The Mind of the Spirit

Romans 8:27 - And he that searches the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

When we have the Mind of Christ, we will also have the Mind of the Spirit because Christ KNOWS the mind of the Spirit. When we have the mind of the Spirit, we can always be sure we’re in the will of God. In addition, we can be sure when we are praying in the Spirit, He is interceding for us according to God’s will. PRAISE THE LORD!

E. The Mind of the Believer

Philip. 4:7-9 - And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [9] Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Character and conduct begin in the mind. The things we dwell on in our thoughts affect our actions. Paul tells his readers to concentrate on things that will result in right living and in Gods peace.

2 Tim. 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

A “SOUND MIND” comes from the Greek word, sophronismos, which means “safe” and “the mind.” The word denotes good judgment, disciplined thought patterns and the ability to understand and make right decisions. It includes the qualities of self-control and self-discipline. This is what God has given the believer. We have a new mind! In our daily walk, we are commanded to renew that mind on spiritual things - the Word of God and meditation on Christ.

2 Cor. 8:12 - For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

2 Peter 3:1 - This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

Titus 1:15 - Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Acts 17:11 - These were nobler than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Acts 20:19 - Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

Col. 3:12 - Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

1 Peter 4:7 - But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

Romans 12:3 - For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

2 Cor. 5:13 - For whether we are beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

The above scriptures define what the mind of the believer is supposed to be. It’s time we get renewed in our minds and serve GOD, for the END OF ALL THINGS IS TRULY AT HAND!

F. The Carnal Mind, or the Mind of the Flesh

Romans 8:5 - For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Col. 2:18 - Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Philip. 3:19 - Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things

The Carnal mind, or unrenewed mind, is at enmity with God. It is from this mind that divisions within the body of Christ usually originate. (1 Cor. 3:1-3). To stay in this type of mindset forever will produce spiritual death. It’s time we stopped thinking about the things below and get a “NEW JERUSALEM” state of mind!

2 Cor. 3:14 - But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

2 Cor 4:4 - Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who Is the image of God, should shine on them.

Satan blinds those who refuse to believe the Gospel. Another type of blindness is religious blindness of which Paul spoke of in 2 Cor. 3:14. Israel is blind to the fact that Jesus is her Messiah. The Pharisees were blind to this fact too because of their own self- righteousness. (John 9:37-41).

There are many religious people today who are blind to their own need because they have gotten away from the simplicity of Christ. Whenever an individual or a denomination stops holding, or clinging, to the Head, which is the Light of the World, spiritual darkness will result every time. Another cause of spiritual blindness is caused in a similar way to physical blindness which results from staring at the SUN. We stare at the Word of God and do nothing with it. The result is Blindness!

Luke 12:29 - And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

Doubtful means “meteorize” in the Greek, which means to raise in mid-air, suspend, fluctuate, be anxious, or be carried about as meteors moved about with the currents, tossed up and down between hope and fear. Jesus was rebuking them because of the concerns of the heathen who are superstitious and seek guidance from meteors, planets, signs of the zodiac and all the magic and witchcraft and traffic with demons in the name of astrology. All of such are condemned in Scripture.

1 Tim. 6:3-5 - If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

A person with a corrupt mind will always seek an argument. That’s why knowledge in itself is not that important.

1 Cor. 8:1 - Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifies.

If a person’s mind is always telling him to argue and debate, then that person has a corrupt mind. Paul also said a sign of a corrupt mind is one filled with greed. The gospel message being preached today is filled with greed. The source of this is the corrupt mind of carnal man. We need to have our minds renewed!

Titus 1:15 - Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Romans 1:28 - And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Ephes. 4:17 - This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Jesus was rebuking them because of the concerns of the heathen who are superstitious and seek guidance from meteors, planets, signs of the zodiac and all the magic and witchcraft and traffic with demons in the name of astrology. All of such is condemned in Scripture.

The word reprobate comes from the Greek word, adoktmos, this is the same word used in Heb. 6:8 for rejected and In 1 Cor. 9:27 for castaway. Christ is not in reprobates. The word futility in Ephesians means, “Vain, emptiness, purposelessness, darkened understanding alienation from God and ignorance of God’s way, a hardened heart and an unfeeling state.” The Greek word for this word means, “To have ceased from care.” God will give you over to what you want. The reason people do not like to retain God Is because they know the truth and do not want to deal with It. If a person continues to possess carnal mind, they will eventually develop a reprobate mind. The result is Romans 1:29-32.

G. Double-Mindedness

(Editor’s note: The following information was taken directly from Rick Joyner’s book: There Were Two Trees In the Garden)[2]

James 1:6-8 - But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. [8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 4:8 - Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

A Characteristic of the Seed of Cain

Double-mindedness creates instability, which has become one of the most subtle, profound afflictions of the human race today. Its manifestation is increasing in frequency and degree. It has become a contributing factor in the darkness that surrounds this world. This is a trait that Paul said would occur in the last days. To be double-minded is to have more than one mind or personality. (Schizophrenia). While extreme cases are demonic in nature, there are degrees of double-mindedness found in all who have not been transformed from the carnal, fallen nature of man by the renewing of their minds in Christ.

If we tend to have one personality at church, another at the office, and another still at home, then we are double-minded. It is a fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. (See the lesson on The Seed Principle). Those who live by the knowledge of good and evil always have this problem. It creates instability in us. What is normal for the world is not normal for the NEW MAN that God has created within us. There may be strong-willed people who will not bend or change. But in time, they will. The only true stability is the ROCK OF AGES, JESUS CHRIST. Because self-centeredness incurred by the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, we have developed the compulsion to measure ourselves by the knowledge.

The result has been that man has developed a keen sense and fear of rejection. This fear compels us to become the person we believe will be accepted or recognized, which will vary in some degree with each new group or situation. With each change we simply try to comply with external circumstances. Little by little, there is a subtle erosion of the consistency and stability of our personality. Soon we are confused to who we really are. The tendency in the nation to abandon one position for another so quickly is a telltale sign that we are losing grip on what we believe and who we really are. While knowledge of good and evil has kept us somewhat from utter chaos, it has also been the inner cord of discord in Man, including Cain.

Genesis 4:6-7 - And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? [7] If thou doest well, shall thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shall rule over him.

Because of his conscience, or inner knowledge, Cain had to live by it and it killed him inside after he had killed Abel. The Law is in every man. Before the Law was ever written, it was already in Man. When man does well, he feels good. When he doesn’t, there is discord, regardless of how earnestly he tries to rationalize it. The reason for this discord is found In Galatians 6:8. When we sow to the flesh you can only reap flesh and corruption. ONLY BY SOWING TO THE SPIRIT CAN THAT WHICH IS SPIRIT BE REAPED. To feed self-will is to produce self-centeredness that in turn produces a spirit of discord in the believer.

****THE ANTICHRIST WILL HAVE SUCH AN EASY RIDE TO POWER BECAUSE THIS SOCIETY IS LITERALLY CRYING OUT FOR A LEADER TO TELL THEM WHAT TO DO AND HELP FIND ITS IDENTITY. PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER TO THEIR DISCORD. ********

All the Antichrist has to do is promise security and the gratification of the flesh and millions will pledge their allegiance. Daniel saw such a man in one of his visions.

Daniel 11:20-25 - Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. [21] And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. [22] And with the arms of a flood shall they be over flown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. [23] And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. [24] He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time. [25] And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.

The self-centered are not capable of attaining the higher principles of love, duty, justice, mercy, or even freedom—EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY PREACH AND TEACH THESE THINGS. The self-centered may attach themselves to causes but the basic motivation is to recognize rebellion, or the need to be identified with a strong social entity. Personal gratification toward noble or dramatic causes is merely an attempt to compensate for excesses. The self-centered have no clue of the servant principle JESUS taught in Scripture. However, the servanthood of Christ is the source of the only true freedom mankind will ever know.

Matthew 16:25 - For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

MANKIND WAS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. HE WILL ONLY KNOW HIS TRUE IDENTITY WHEN HE IS RIGHTLY RELATED TO HIS CREATOR. THE TRAIT OF DOUBLE-MINDEDNESS is a frustrated sense of identity. As man moves further away from God, the more unstable he will become. Conversely, as we draw closer to God, the more we will become consistent, stable and the most decisive people the world has ever known. External situations and social pressures will no longer bend us and shape us. The world will no longer be able to change us when our MINDS have been transformed so we SEE WITH JESUS’ EYES, hear with JESUS’ EARS, and understand with JESUS’ HEART those who have been renewed in their mind are the most stable in the world:

Isaiah 28:16 - Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

When our minds truly know God, not just about Him, our personality changes will come from within, not without. In Him, we are no longer moved by fear of rejection, or fear of any other thing. In Him we do not live by fear, but faith.

1 John 4:17-18 - Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

***WE WILL PRODUCE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT BY THE TRANSFORMING GLORY OF GOD (2 COR. 3:18). WHEN WE LOOK AT OURSELVES AND MEASURE OURSELVES AGAINST OTHERS, WE NEVER ACCOMPLISH THIS. WE ARE NOT AN IMITATOR OF CHRIST, BUT TO HAVE CHRIST FORMED WITHIN US. THE ISSUE IS NOT WHAT WE ARE, BUT WHAT HE IS IN US. HE IS THE TREE OF LIFE. IF WE ARE PARTAKING OF HIM, WE WILL LIVE FOREVER* * * *

[1] Zoschak, Ibid.

[2] Joyner, Rick. There Were Two Trees In The Garden, Morningstar Publishing, Charlotte, N.C., 1989