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The Christian and Self-Renewal How NOT to Think (2)

The Christian and Self-Renewal How NOT to Think (2). “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind …” {Romans 12:2}. Introduction. Discussed the importance of having a good mindset Previously discussed pessimism

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The Christian and Self-Renewal How NOT to Think (2)

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  1. The Christian and Self-RenewalHow NOT to Think (2) “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by therenewing of your mind…” {Romans 12:2}

  2. Introduction • Discussed the importance of having a good mindset • Previously discussed pessimism • Now, we look at some specific things that can influence us to the point of hindering our growth. • Each must seek to place himself in the best possible frame of mind so he can succeed in His work!

  3. Letting Go of the Past • We sometimes hinder proper thinking because we do not let goof the past. • We dwell on past failuresand bad experiences. • This is known as “living in the past.” • Unhealthy both physically and spiritually

  4. Letting Go of the Past • Paul learned to forget the past and move on. • “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” {Philippians 3:13,14}

  5. Letting Go of the Past • Once we begin, it’s dangerous to keep looking back. • “But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” {Luke 9:62} • Past failures • Past successes

  6. Letting Go of the Past • You need to forgive yourself! • Have you done wrong in the past? • Have you done shameful things? • Did you know better? • Do you feel unworthy? • Are there consequences that follow you? • JOIN THE CROWD!

  7. Letting Go of the Past • You need to forgive yourself! • Here’s a thought—WE AREN’T WORTHY! No one is. • God’s forgiveness is not based on what we deserve. • Christ came to save sinners. • Romans 3:23 • 2 Timothy 1:12-15

  8. Letting Go of the Past • Let go of old hurts. • Many have suffered wrongs done to themby others. • It seems that some never get over it—or they refuse to try. • It causes them continual griefand a poor outlook on life and themselves. • Often leads to their thinking they are worthless.

  9. Letting Go of the Past • As Christians, we must LET GO! • “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” {Ephesians 4:31} • “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.” {James 3:14,15}

  10. Letting Go of the Past • Forgive and forget just as you want God to forgive you! • “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” {Matthew 6:14,15} • “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” {Ephesians 4:32}

  11. The Problem of Worry • We must control needless worry. • Many people’s minds are occupied by past, present and futureworries! • In any case, all worry causes stress, depression, and anxiety. • It clouds our thinking and prevents us from having trust and hope.

  12. The Problem of Worry • Jesus taught us not to worry. • “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” {Matthew 6:25-27}

  13. The Problem of Worry • When we worry, we are: • Not seeking the kingdom first (NOW). • Becoming overly concerned about things we cannot change. • Not showing complete faith and trust in God. • Not putting our faith into practice. • Proverbs 12:25 • Philippians 4:6,7

  14. What You Cannot Do • Some look at Christianity in terms of what they can nolonger do. • They dwell on the things they have to give up. • Old friends seek to get us to return to old habits—”I can’t do that anymore.” • Conviction • Desire • Disappointment

  15. What You Cannot Do • Paul wondered why some brethren were returning to what they had left. • “But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn againto the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?” {Galatians 4:8,9}

  16. What You Cannot Do • Used by Satan on Eve in the Garden of Eden. • “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” {Genesis 3:4,5}

  17. What You Cannot Do • Understand, God does not restrict certain things to make us miserable. • He does what is BEST for us. • We may not understand all the implications and consequences associated with certain behaviors—but God has His reasons. • “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” {2 Peter 2:20}

  18. You’re Fine Where You Are • Refusing to face up to problems and sins because you know it will call for change. • Many, for practical purposes, shut their eyes and ears to their own faults. • Willfully don’t study or pray--probing too deepmay hurt them. • If evil practices are uncovered, they must be stopped. • Fair weatherdisciples will allow any excuse tokeep them from worshipping God. • Such reasoning will never allow them to renew their minds.

  19. You’re Fine Where You Are • We need to perform regular self-examination. • “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? --unless indeed you are disqualified.” {2 Corinthians 13:5} • Testing our bodies. • “But I discipline my bodyand bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” {1 Corinthians 9:27} • “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”{Galatians 5:4}

  20. You’re Fine Where You Are • Others are afraid of changeitself. • Afraid of the unknown, they’re satisfied to stay where they are. • Matthew 25:24,25 • But how can growth take place? • Hebrews 6:1 • We should be seeking for perfection. • Matthew 5:48

  21. You’re Fine Where You Are • We need to be careful about what we place in our minds. • Improper thinking results from allowing ungodly thingsto enter our minds. • We allow ungodly garbageinto our lives. • TV, computer, radio, movies,some books, etc.

  22. You’re Fine Where You Are • We need to filter what goes into our minds. • Impurities squeeze out what is good and pure. • “Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be seared?” {Proverbs 6:27,28}

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