[x_custom_headline type=”left” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h4″]We have been raised up out of spiritual death to a new way of living. In fact, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within us, the Bible tells us (see Romans 8:11). And wherever Christ has risen to, we have access there. But the major key to successfully living the Christian life is found in changing your thinking, and in renewing your mind to the Word of God (see Romans 12:1-2).[/x_custom_headline]
[x_blockquote cite=”Colossians 3:1-2 KJV” type=”left”]“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”[/x_blockquote]
Our life’s pursuits must be the Kingdom of God. In fact, we must become Kingdom of God minded. In verse two above, where the scripture instructs us to set our “affection” on the things above, it is a reference to your mind and thought life. Our thinking then must be set on, or locked in on, things above. In other words, no matter what happens to us in life, our mind must go immediately to what Jesus Christ has done for us, is doing for us, has promised to us, and so on. You will never tolerate another hopeless, defeated thought if you will do this.
When I open the program that I use to type out my blogs, I have it preset to a particular font and font size that I like to work with. So then, whenever I open the program, it automatically defaults to the way I have it programmed and set up. If we will change our thinking and renew our minds to the Word of God, then we can come to the place that when trouble comes our way, our thoughts simply revert to the default of what God promised and the way He sees the things we am currently dealing with. Otherwise, we will simply fall all apart because our thinking is contrary to the will and Word of God.
When your thinking is wrong, your believing will be wrong. And when your believing is wrong, your actions and reactions will all be wrong, too.
[x_blockquote cite=”Romans 8:5-8 KJV” type=”left”]“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. 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.”[/x_blockquote]
Your thought patterns determine what you do and what you become. If you are not experiencing the abundant life that God promised us in His Word, as well as the peace of God, then examine your thought life.
And this is why disciplining your mind to think God’s thoughts is such a major key to a successful Christian life. It matters what you think and have your mind set on all of the time. And it matters that you train your thinking to always default back to the Word of God when pressure and temptation comes your way. Because if you don’t, you will cave in every single time.
It is essential that you begin to think God’s thoughts. And His thoughts can be found in the written Word of God.
[x_blockquote cite=”Isaiah 55:7-9 KJV” type=”left”]“7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”[/x_blockquote]
If you insist on thinking your own thoughts, then you will never experience God’s higher life that He has planned for you, nor will you ever truly walk in His ways. In other words, your Christian walk will be a shallow one, and that is certainly not the plan of God for your life.
All wrong living, wrong doing, and wrong speaking originates from a person’s thought life. So, if we don’t get our minds renewed to God’s Word, and then also learn to arrest every thought that violates His Word and His will for our lives and take them captive, those thoughts will eventually take us captive and hold us in bondage instead.
[x_blockquote cite=”2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV” type=”left”]“4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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;”[/x_blockquote]
When trouble comes your way, do you imagine yourself defeated? God gave us our imaginations for a reason, but it wasn’t for us to pictures ourselves losing, failing, or dying early. It was so that we could picture ourselves walking in the victory that Jesus Christ has provided for us. It was so that we could see ourselves being healed and walking in health. And it was so that we could envision ourselves living the abundant life with all of our needs met according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (see Philippians 4:19).
When our thoughts and imaginations run wild and contrary to the promises of God, we must take those thoughts captive. We must put a stop to them by renewing our minds to the Word of God.
When you renew your mind to the Word of God, you are developing spiritual thinking. And spiritual thinking is a major key to the Christian life.