Romans 12:1-2
Trading the Mind
There are three things that the Bible teaches we will be held
accountable before God for: our actions, attitudes and thoughts. Most
of time, these three will come out of our mind.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so
is he….
We can trim it down a little and say "AS HE
THINKS…SO HE IS."
How does the average person think? With what kind of mind are we
born?
Paul describes the human mind earlier in this same Book:
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God,
they glorified him not as God, neither were
thankful; but became vain in their imaginations,
and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became
fools,
28 And even as they did not like to retain God
in their knowledge.
Job describes the mindset of the ungodly in his day:
Job 21:14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart
from us; for we desire not the knowledge of
thy ways.
The writer of Proverbs describes the mind in his day:
Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and
did not choose the fear of the LORD:
Man’s natural mind is not god-like at all. It lead George Whitfield,
an 18th century evangelist to sum us up as follows:
"If the unregenerate man could enter heaven, he would be so unhappy
in heaven, that he would ask God to let him run down to hell for
shelter."
Of course, salvation puts a new heart within us but we are still
occupied by the same, ungodly mind. That makes transforming the mind
essential for a child of God.
I. The mind is the BATTLEFIELD for Christians.
A. One of the first challenges in human life is to get the brain
to work.
1. We are miraculously conceived and birthed but some of our
major organs need a jump-start.
a. Doctors have been observed slapping new-born infants
on the bottom in an attempt to get their lungs to
function.
b. Parents have been observed slapping their children in
the same area in an attempt to get their children’s
brain to work.
c. No doubt every parent, at one time or another, has
told their child, "Think before you act."
d. Humans can and do act without thinking.
(1) Some people speak before they think.
(2) Some people act or respond before they think.
(3) Both kinds of people end up getting themselves in
trouble.
2. So we spend a great deal of time and energy trying to
train our children to think.
B. An additional problem is that when finally get our children
to start using their brains, we find out that they aren’t all
that good to begin with.
1. A person that uses his mind may not offend people as much
as one who does not, but he still ends up offending God.
2. The human mind, tainted by sin, just is not capable of
pleasing God.
Romans 8:6 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, neither
indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot
please God.
3. Paul tells us that the mind has six major failures in it:
a. It is carnal.
b. It will lead us to spiritual death.
c. It is at odds with God.
d. It is not subject to God.
e. It cannot subject itself to God.
f. It cannot please God.
C. So we need to understand this truth:
1. If our mind is carnal, it will lead us to make carnal
decisions.
2. Some Christians spend their life trying to educate
their mind.
a. That sounds good but it is not sufficient.
b. To educate something means you teach it, but
some things are just too dangerous to keep around,
even when they are taught.
c. snakes, alligators, lions, tigers, bear
d. If it can destroy you, you don’t teach it. You trade
it.
3. The word transform means literally to "change into
another form."
4. Here is the condition of many Christians.
a. They have been saved.
b. But their minds are still carnal.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of
his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and
an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart
bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the
abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
c. You can’t please God with that best trainned mind in
the world.
5. For a Christian to be victorious in his spiritual life,
they must transform their mind.
D. So we must transform our mind from a fleshly thinking machine
to a spiritual thinking machine.
1. Once transformed, out text tells us we will be able to do
the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
2. Without the transformation, we will be conformed to this
world and be carnal.
II. How do you transform your mind?
A. As it is in most aspects of the Christian life, God does most
of the work.
1. He will tell you what is wrong.
2. He will tell you what is right.
3. He will tell you when you are about to do wrong.
4. If you do the wrong, He will convict you over it.
B. However, you have to make the choice to turn from the wrong
and do the right.
1. The decision and will to act are always up to you.
2. When you get right down to it, that is all we are
responsible to do.
C. Let me give you a few things that will help you to choose the
right.
1. Never dwell on things that are wrong.
Php 4:8 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.
a. If I have dealt with my past, I will not dwell on it.
(1) regrets, actions, wrongs done to me
(2) People talk about having no confidence or low
self-esteem. That comes from dwelling on the
wrongs of your past, both those you have done
and those done to you.
(3) Forget it.
b. I will not dwell on my lusts. The things that are not
mine or the things that I might want.
c. I will not be sad, lonely. These open the door to
the devil to oppress you (depression).
d. I will not be angry. Leads to wrath and bitterness.
2. Instead, dwell on good, clean, spiritual, holy things.
a. You have heard of the expression, "Find your happy
place." Find your spiritual place.
b. Pray for people. Visit people that need encouragement
or help. Read your Bible.
3. Don’t expose yourself to things or people that tempt you.
Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil
the lusts thereof.
a. As far as things that tempt you, never expose yourself
to them. Not necessary. It will never be productive.
b. As far as people, do not expose yourself to them until
you have prayed so much that you have genuine love
from God for them so that you can see them without
being tempted to witness to them.
4. Hold yourself accountable:
a. Call sin, sin!
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness.
1. It is just as wrong to think the wrong thoughts as
it is to do the wrong actions.
2. Confess wrong thoughts as sin.
3. The word means, TO AGREE WITH GOD.
b. Ask for forgiveness.
Luke 5:21 Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
Psalms 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is
forgiven, whose sin is covered.
c. Turn from them. Think like Christ in that matter.
d. Reward yourself when you would have but didn’t.
5. If you can’t get the victory by yourself, find an
accountability partner.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another,
and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much.
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