Introduction
| Our heavenly Father has made incredible promises to us, his children. And while our God is completely faithful to deliver on his promises, he does not force them on us. He’s promised his nearness, his affections, and an eternal life spent with him. But we have the power to choose our own way. He doesn’t force himself where there’s no space. God’s word won’t have power in our lives if we don’t read it. We won’t hear God effectively if we’re not listening. And we can’t experience his nearness if we constantly fill our lives with other things. So, this week we’re going to talk about different ways we can experience the promises of God so that they might come to full fruition in our lives. May you encounter God powerfully as you grow in fully experiencing the incredible promises of your heavenly Father. |
Scripture
“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
Worship
Just Jesus | Mark & Sarah Tillman
Devotional
There is a battle being waged constantly for your mind. This battle isn’t about flesh and blood, but instead about experiencing the very promises of God. You see, your mind is the place where emotions, perspectives, and decisions all collide—where lies and truth wage war. It’s where you can choose to experience God and see the world as he does, or choose a different path and struggle in life to attain any sense of his promises at all. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Paul makes it clear that there is a very real spiritual battle happening in which taking your thoughts captive is a chief weapon. So let’s look today at the weapon of renewing your mind and how to effectively use it to experience all that God has in store for you.
In God we have an incredible ally in the war for our minds. We’ve been given the Holy Spirit to help us think like God. We’ve been given the word of God to meditate on so that we can share in God’s wisdom. But we must engage in this process of transformation to experience all God has in store. Ephesians 4:21-24 says, “Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 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.” God has given you an opportunity for new life “created after the very likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” But in order to experience that new life, you must “be renewed in the spirit of your [mind].” Real action is required to experience God’s promise of a “new self.” You have to see yourself as God sees you. Your perspective must shift and be aligned with God’s perspective.
You see, renewing your mind positions you to fully experience God’s promises. For example, Romans 12:2 says, “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.” In the renewing of your mind, you are able to discern the will of God. It’s a real and practical step to receiving the knowledge of what God would have you do. Joshua 1:8 says, “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.” In the renewing of your mind to God’s word, your way will be made prosperous. Meditating on God’s word has the power to lead you to success.
God’s made a way for you to experience abundant life every day. He’s made incredible promises to you of his will, his peace, his nearness, and his victory over the enemy. But the battle for experiencing those promises is waged in your mind. Renew your mind today to the truth of God. Take captive any lies that run through your mind. Choose to align your thinking with his word. Filter your emotions and decisions through the word of God. And experience today the abundant life God has in store for you in the goodness of his promises.
Prayer
1. Meditate for a moment on the power of renewing your mind.Allow Scripture to fill you with a desire to engage in this spiritual discipline.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
2. Where in your thoughts do you need victory today? Where do you feel like your perspective of yourself, others, or situations might not align with God’s perspective?
3. Renew your mind to God’s truth in those areas. Find Scripture that speaks to those areas. Ask the Spirit to guide you in renewing your mind to the truth you need.
Go
You can take inventory of the battle being waged for your mind by simply looking at your life. Look at your emotions. Look at the decisions you’re making. You have the power to control those areas of your life by renewing your mind. God’s word is unchanging. His perspective is sure, steadfast, and perfect. He’s given you the tools you need to align your thinking with his in his Spirit and his word. Choose to engage in the life-giving process of renewing your mind. If you’ll choose to act on God’s word, to believe him, your heart will become steadfast and unshakable. You’ll experience a life full of the abundance of God’s promises. May your day be filled with the promises of God fulfilled in your life.
Extended Reading: 2 Corinthians 10 or watch The Bible Project’s video on 2 Corinthians.