A Renewed Mind

Living Aligned With God’s Design

A Renewed Mind

Matthew 4:1-10

If we are going to experience a transformed life as we follow Christ, that transformation begins at the level of our beliefs!

Our Actions and our Emotions flow from our beliefs.

“to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22–24, ESV)

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:9–10, ESV)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV)

How to Take Every Thought Captive

1. Identify your beliefs
   - What am I thinking right now?
2. Analyze your beliefs
3. Locate the lies
4. Replace the lie with the truth 

Example: Jesus (Matthew 4:1-10) 

First Temptation (3-4): 

• Lie: Your Hunger is teh most importatn thing right now 
• Truth: Life isn't just about fulfilling my hungers, but it is about Faithfulness to the Father 

Second Temptation (5-7): 

• Lie: If you are truly the Son of God you can “Force” God to act on your behalf in a miraculous way
• Truth: Jesus was under Authority and would not put God to a manufactured test 

Third Temptation (8-10): 

• Lie: There is another way – a Shortcut 
• Truth: Worshipping and honoring God is the highest priority

If I am going to recognize a lie and replace it with the truth, I must be well acquainted with God’s truth! 

Renewing My Mind through God’s Truth

1. Discover the truth 
2. Speak the truth 
3. Personalize the truth 
4. Pray the truth 
5. Meditate on the truth 

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”  (Joshua 1:8, ESV) 

6.  Memorize the truth 

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11, ESV)

Sinful Soceity  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Word of God

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:1–3, ESV)

If we do not Actively seek to come under the influence of the Word of God, we will come under the influence of the sinful society

Our actions and our emotions flow from our beliefs.  

Over time, a renewed mind results in a transformed life! 

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31–32) 

Making It Personal

• Have I genuinely aligned my life with God's desgn through repenting of my sin and placing my faith in Christ alone as the forgiver of my sin and the leader and Lord of my life?  
• What area or areas of my life do I need to begin to practice taking every thought captive? How will I begin to do this?  
• Based on this teaching, what are some practical steps I can take to renew my mind with God’s truth?  
• What is at stake for myself or others if I do not take every thought captive through a renewed mind?  
• Who can I share these truths with? 

Ready to take your Next Step? 

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