Renewing Our Minds: Embracing God's Truth for 2025
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound theme of renewing our minds and aligning our thoughts with God's truth. As we step into 2025, the call is to embrace a mindset of contagious joy and to speak life, even amidst trials. This journey begins with repentance, a transformative change in our thinking that aligns us with the mind of Christ. Romans 12:1-2 reminds us to present ourselves as living sacrifices and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation is essential for discerning God's perfect will and living in His purpose.
The process of renewing our minds is not just a one-time event but a continuous journey of sanctification. It involves taking every thought captive and discerning whether it aligns with God's truth or if it is a deception from the enemy. The enemy often disguises his lies as seemingly righteous thoughts, which is why discernment is crucial. We must be vigilant, ensuring that our thoughts are not at enmity with God but are surrendered to Him.
A powerful testimony shared during the message illustrated the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit over our carnal minds. In a moment of crisis, the decision to trust God's wisdom led to a miraculous deliverance. This underscores the need for a renewed mind that is attuned to the Spirit's leading, even when it defies human logic.
As we look forward to 2025, it is a year of greater faith and fulfilled promises. Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes that faith is essential to please God, and this faith is nurtured through a renewed mind. We are encouraged to press into God's presence, allowing Him to transform us and reveal His promises. Isaiah 43:19 speaks of God doing a new thing, and to perceive it, our minds must be renewed.
In this season, God invites us to live with a perception of reality that is greater than our circumstances. It is a call to actively engage with His promises and to trust that He will fulfill them. As we renew our minds, we align ourselves with His kingdom and His ways, stepping into the new things He has already begun.
Key Takeaways:
1. Renewing the Mind: The journey of renewing our minds begins with repentance, a transformative change in our thinking that aligns us with the mind of Christ. This ongoing process is essential for discerning God's will and living in His purpose. By setting our minds on things above, we can experience the fullness of life and peace that comes from being spiritually minded. [01:05:41]
2. Discernment and Deception: The enemy often disguises his lies as seemingly righteous thoughts, making discernment crucial. We must be vigilant in taking every thought captive and ensuring it aligns with God's truth. By doing so, we prevent the enemy from leading us astray and missing out on God's plans for our lives. [01:11:00]
3. Trusting the Holy Spirit: In moments of crisis, trusting the Holy Spirit over our carnal minds can lead to miraculous outcomes. A renewed mind is attuned to the Spirit's leading, even when it defies human logic. This trust allows us to witness God's power and deliverance in our lives and the lives of others. [01:15:50]
4. Faith and Fulfilled Promises: As we enter 2025, it is a year of greater faith and fulfilled promises. Faith is essential to please God, and it is nurtured through a renewed mind. By pressing into God's presence and allowing Him to transform us, we align ourselves with His promises and step into the new things He has already begun. [01:22:12]
5. Living in Greater Reality: God invites us to live with a perception of reality that is greater than our circumstances. This involves actively engaging with His promises and trusting that He will fulfill them. As we renew our minds, we align ourselves with His kingdom and His ways, stepping into the new things He has already begun. [01:26:37]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:04:46] - Introduction and Theme for 2025
- [01:05:41] - Renewing Our Minds
- [01:07:26] - The Process of Transformation
- [01:08:46] - Theosis: Becoming Like Christ
- [01:10:13] - The Israelites' Example
- [01:11:00] - The Battle of the Mind
- [01:12:42] - Testimony of Deliverance
- [01:15:04] - Trusting the Holy Spirit
- [01:17:01] - The Importance of Discernment
- [01:18:16] - Capturing Every Thought
- [01:19:05] - Community and Discernment
- [01:20:08] - Living in Kingdom Reality
- [01:22:12] - A Year of Greater Faith
- [01:26:37] - God is Doing a New Thing
- [01:30:16] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:1-2
2. Hebrews 11:6
3. Isaiah 43:19
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 12:1-2 say about the process of renewing our minds and its purpose? How does this relate to the idea of presenting ourselves as living sacrifices? [01:07:26]
2. According to the sermon, what role does discernment play in the process of renewing our minds? How does the enemy disguise his lies? [01:11:00]
3. How did the testimony shared in the sermon illustrate the importance of trusting the Holy Spirit over our carnal minds? [01:15:50]
4. What does Hebrews 11:6 emphasize about faith, and how is it connected to a renewed mind according to the sermon? [01:22:12]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of repentance as a change in thinking align with the idea of renewing our minds to have the mind of Christ? [01:08:46]
2. In what ways can seemingly righteous thoughts be deceptive, and how can believers discern their true origin? [01:11:00]
3. How does the testimony of deliverance shared in the sermon demonstrate the power of a renewed mind in action? What might have been the outcome if the speaker had not trusted the Holy Spirit? [01:15:50]
4. How does Isaiah 43:19's message of God doing a new thing relate to the need for a renewed mind to perceive it? [01:26:37]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenging situation. How did your mindset affect your response, and what steps can you take to renew your mind in similar future situations? [01:05:41]
2. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your thoughts align with God's truth and not the enemy's deception? Consider specific strategies for taking every thought captive. [01:11:00]
3. In moments of crisis, how can you cultivate a habit of trusting the Holy Spirit over your own understanding? Share a recent experience where you had to make this choice. [01:15:50]
4. As you look forward to 2025, what promises from God are you holding onto, and how can a renewed mind help you step into these promises with greater faith? [01:22:12]
5. Identify an area in your life where you feel God is doing something new. How can you actively engage with His promises and align your perception of reality with His kingdom? [01:26:37]
6. How can you incorporate the practice of repentance and mind renewal into your daily routine to better discern God's will and purpose for your life? [01:08:46]
7. Think of a specific thought or belief that you struggle with. How can you apply the principles of discernment and renewal discussed in the sermon to transform this area of your thinking? [01:11:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformative Repentance and Renewed Thinking
The journey of renewing our minds begins with repentance, a transformative change in our thinking that aligns us with the mind of Christ. This ongoing process is essential for discerning God's will and living in His purpose. By setting our minds on things above, we can experience the fullness of life and peace that comes from being spiritually minded. The renewal of the mind is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of sanctification. It involves taking every thought captive and discerning whether it aligns with God's truth or if it is a deception from the enemy. This transformation is crucial for living in alignment with God's kingdom and experiencing His peace and joy. [01:05:41]
Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: What is one thought pattern you need to repent of and renew today to align more closely with the mind of Christ?
Day 2: Vigilant Discernment Against Deception
The enemy often disguises his lies as seemingly righteous thoughts, making discernment crucial. We must be vigilant in taking every thought captive and ensuring it aligns with God's truth. By doing so, we prevent the enemy from leading us astray and missing out on God's plans for our lives. Discernment is a spiritual skill that requires practice and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit. It involves recognizing the subtle ways the enemy can infiltrate our thoughts and redirecting them towards God's truth. This vigilance helps us stay on the path God has set for us, ensuring that our lives reflect His will and purpose. [01:11:00]
2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV): "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: Identify a recent thought or belief that seemed righteous but was not aligned with God's truth. How can you practice discernment to guard against such deceptions in the future?
Day 3: Trusting the Spirit Beyond Logic
In moments of crisis, trusting the Holy Spirit over our carnal minds can lead to miraculous outcomes. A renewed mind is attuned to the Spirit's leading, even when it defies human logic. This trust allows us to witness God's power and deliverance in our lives and the lives of others. Trusting the Holy Spirit requires a willingness to step out in faith, even when circumstances seem insurmountable. It involves listening to His guidance and acting on it, knowing that His wisdom surpasses our understanding. This trust is a testament to our faith and opens the door to experiencing God's miraculous interventions. [01:15:50]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Recall a situation where you relied on your own understanding instead of the Holy Spirit's guidance. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in the Spirit's leading today?
Day 4: Faith as the Foundation for Fulfilled Promises
As we enter 2025, it is a year of greater faith and fulfilled promises. Faith is essential to please God, and it is nurtured through a renewed mind. By pressing into God's presence and allowing Him to transform us, we align ourselves with His promises and step into the new things He has already begun. Faith is the foundation upon which God's promises are fulfilled in our lives. It requires us to believe in His word and trust in His timing, even when we cannot see the outcome. This faith is strengthened through a renewed mind that is focused on God's truth and His ability to do the impossible. [01:22:12]
Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you are holding onto in faith? How can you nurture your faith to see this promise fulfilled?
Day 5: Living with a Kingdom Perspective
God invites us to live with a perception of reality that is greater than our circumstances. This involves actively engaging with His promises and trusting that He will fulfill them. As we renew our minds, we align ourselves with His kingdom and His ways, stepping into the new things He has already begun. Living with a kingdom perspective means seeing beyond the immediate and temporal, focusing instead on the eternal and divine. It requires us to trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to work all things for our good. This perspective shifts our focus from earthly challenges to heavenly promises, empowering us to live victoriously. [01:26:37]
2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV): "As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from your current circumstances to God's eternal promises today? What practical steps can you take to live with a kingdom perspective?
Quotes
"To be in God's will we must actively change our ways of thinking. The first step that we take, me and Miss Mike never get along, the first step that we take in our walk with Jesus is repentance, right? We had to change our way of thinking in order to actually believe in him and that's what repent means. Repentance is a gift that means that we change our ways of thinking, that we turn and that we think differently." [01:07:50] (32 seconds)
"And the truth is, is that an unrenewed mind is actually at hostility towards God. And that's a really heavy thing to think about. The thoughts that we haven't surrendered to Christ are at war with him. We really need to be careful of the thoughts that we entertain. And I think that we're aware of that." [01:11:00] (23 seconds)
"But that's a lot of times when the enemy will come in. It's in the times that we're not aware of what's going on. Because the enemy is sneaky. The devil doesn't show up as the devil. He doesn't come with, like, horns and a pitchfork. And sit there and say, hey, this is bad, but you should listen to it. He actually comes in as thoughts that are seemingly righteous. He comes in as thoughts that seem like wisdom or even virtue for us, right?" [01:11:43] (25 seconds)
"And if we don't discern, if we don't be careful where those thoughts are coming from, they could actually be at war with God. They could actually come against what he's wanting to do in our lives. And so if we're not renewing. If we're not renewing our minds to God's truth, and we're actually sitting in thoughts that the enemy has given us, we could be missing out on everything that God wants to do for us in our lives and for the people around us." [01:12:42] (25 seconds)
"Prime example, though, of my carnal mind was telling me all these things, but my spirit was telling me something different. And I think back to if we had stopped that, would she be set free? Would that thing still have a stronghold in her life? Could it have caused her more harm down the road? Everything the enemy sets up to do is to disengage us from a renewed mind." [01:17:13] (28 seconds)
"Although some thoughts come in and appear logical and reasonable, they are actually hostile towards God. And we need to be aware of our thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10 .5, I'm reading in the Amplified, says, We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God. And we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ." [01:17:21] (28 seconds)
"Every single time I felt the Holy Spirit come in and say, but you're of a different kingdom, you need to think a different way. And I'll tell you, like, there again, capturing every thought, that takes a lot of work. It takes a lot of work. But with the Holy Spirit, all things are possible." [01:18:16] (18 seconds)
"Faith doesn't come from the mind, but faith often demonstrates itself in kingdom understanding. That's what I'm really feeling like for this year, is it's a year of greater faith and fulfilled promises. I really feel that. And I, and I feel like there's things that, God has been putting on our hearts. There's things that God's been gifting to us, but I feel like this is the year to step in and renew our minds on the truths that he's given us." [01:22:12] (35 seconds)
"The thing is, is that I feel like what God wants most from us, of course, always, but really I feel something special in this season, is to press into him. Press into the things that he's speaking, to discern his voice, to really step in and, and take a look at what we're thinking, process through, step back and, and not let life get ahead of us, but to really sit in his presence. And allow him to transform us." [01:23:42] (28 seconds)
"And as I was reading through that, he's doing something new. He's already started it. Do you not see it? And I felt like the Lord was showing me in that, that in order for us to see the things that he's doing, we have to renew our minds on him. Otherwise, our vision is going to be blurry and we're not going to be able to walk forward in the promises he has for us." [01:26:37] (25 seconds)
"Something I've realized so much, though, is promises fulfilled come with a lot of work. They come with a lot of work. And it's a constant renewing of my mind on his truth and his promises. You know, Zach and I, with our first baby, we miscarried. And walking into a new pregnancy, really trusting him has been harder than I thought. It would be." [01:28:34] (41 seconds)
"God is inviting us to live in a perception of reality that is greater. So I feel like right now is not a time to sit back. I think a lot of times when we think the blessings come, we just sit back and we receive, which we should. We should always rest in Him. We should receive from Him. But there's an active decision that we have to make in doing that." [01:29:51] (26 seconds)
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