Rethinking Thoughts: Embracing God's Presence and Freedom

 

Summary

Today, we explore the profound invitation to live in the presence of God by rethinking our strategy for living. This involves a deep examination of our thoughts, as they largely govern our actions and emotional tone. The call to repent is essentially a call to reconsider how we have been thinking. Our minds, though seemingly of little power, hold the key to our greatest freedom: the ability to choose what occupies them. By placing our minds in a posture of surrender before God, we open ourselves to a life of sobriety, truth, and resilience.

Dallas Willard emphasizes the importance of weighing our thoughts, as they carry charges that can lead us toward or away from God. The power God gives us includes the ability to dismiss thoughts originating from ego, selfishness, and despair. The ancient wisdom of Abba Evagrius and the anonymous author of "The Cloud of Unknowing" reminds us to weigh each thought and its potential to disturb our souls. Whether these thoughts linger and set passions in motion depends on us.

We are not responsible for the thoughts that come and go, but we do have the choice to indulge them. The invitation is to weigh each thought, asking if it moves us toward God, truth, love, and courage, or away from them. Just as we weigh physical objects, we must weigh our thoughts, discarding those that are mere garbage. This practice leads to a lighter mind and spirit, a life in the kingdom of God.

In our daily lives, we encounter thoughts that can weigh us down, such as feelings of inadequacy or envy. By weighing these thoughts, we can choose to let them go and embrace the freedom of a mind focused on God. This is the essence of repentance: to think again, to reconsider our strategy for living, and to allow God to guide our thoughts and decisions. As we do this, we experience the lightness and joy of life in God's kingdom.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Thought: Our thoughts largely govern our actions and emotional tone. By choosing what occupies our minds, we exercise our greatest freedom. This choice enables us to live a life directed toward God and truth. [01:20]

2. Weighing Thoughts: Every thought carries a charge that can lead us toward or away from God. By becoming aware of these charges, we can assess and weigh our thoughts, choosing those that align with God's will. [03:19]

3. Freedom from Negative Thoughts: God gives us the power to dismiss thoughts rooted in ego and despair. By weighing each thought, we can prevent them from lingering and setting passions in motion. [04:03]

4. Repentance as Rethinking: Repentance is a call to rethink our strategy for living. By reconsidering how we have been thinking, we open ourselves to a life of truth, love, and courage. [06:31]

5. Lightness of Mind and Spirit: By discarding thoughts that weigh us down, we experience the lightness and joy of life in God's kingdom. This practice leads to a mind focused on God and free from self-seeking and fear. [10:26]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - Living in God's Presence
- [00:40] - The Call to Repent
- [00:53] - Weighing Your Thoughts
- [01:20] - The Power of the Mind
- [01:50] - Surrender and Freedom
- [02:14] - Thinking Differently
- [02:48] - Developing Disciples
- [03:19] - Assessing Thoughts
- [03:48] - Dismissing Negative Thoughts
- [04:16] - Eight Principal Thoughts
- [05:19] - The Role of Choice
- [06:07] - Avoiding Sinful Deeds
- [06:31] - Weighing Each Thought
- [07:41] - Discarding Mental Garbage
- [09:37] - Embracing Freedom in Thought

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:2 (NIV): "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
- Philippians 4:8 (NIV): "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of weighing our thoughts, and how does this practice relate to our spiritual freedom? [01:06]
2. What are the eight principal thoughts mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the concept of the seven deadly sins? [04:16]
3. How does the sermon describe the process of dismissing negative thoughts, and what role does God play in this process? [03:48]
4. What analogy does the pastor use to describe the process of discarding mental garbage, and how does it relate to our spiritual journey? [07:41]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of renewing the mind in Romans 12:2 relate to the sermon’s call to rethink our strategy for living? [02:29]
2. In what ways does Philippians 4:8 provide a framework for weighing our thoughts, as discussed in the sermon? [06:31]
3. How might the practice of weighing thoughts, as described in the sermon, lead to a life of truth, love, and courage? [06:46]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between our thoughts and our actions, and how does this align with biblical teachings? [01:20]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent thought that weighed you down. How can you apply the practice of weighing thoughts to let go of similar thoughts in the future? [08:09]
2. Identify a thought pattern rooted in ego or despair that you struggle with. What steps can you take to dismiss these thoughts and focus on God’s truth? [04:03]
3. Consider a situation where you felt inadequate or envious. How can you shift your focus to thoughts that align with God’s will and bring you closer to His presence? [08:21]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of weighing thoughts into your daily routine to experience the lightness and joy of life in God’s kingdom? [10:26]
5. Think of a time when you reacted defensively to criticism. How can weighing your thoughts help you respond with grace and understanding in similar situations? [08:36]
6. What specific thought or belief do you need to rethink or repent from to align your life more closely with God’s truth and love? [06:31]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to practice weighing their thoughts and embracing the freedom of a mind focused on God? [09:37]

Devotional

Day 1: The Freedom of Mindful Thought
Our thoughts have a profound impact on our actions and emotional well-being. By consciously choosing what occupies our minds, we exercise our greatest freedom, directing our lives toward God and truth. This freedom is not about controlling every thought that enters our mind but about deciding which thoughts to entertain and which to dismiss. When we place our minds in a posture of surrender before God, we open ourselves to a life of sobriety, truth, and resilience. This practice allows us to live in the presence of God, experiencing the fullness of life He offers. [01:20]

"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 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 10:3-5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one thought pattern you struggle with that you can begin to take captive today, asking God to help you redirect it toward His truth?


Day 2: The Charge of Every Thought
Every thought carries a charge that can lead us toward or away from God. By becoming aware of these charges, we can assess and weigh our thoughts, choosing those that align with God's will. This process involves a conscious effort to discern the origin and potential impact of our thoughts. By doing so, we can cultivate a mind that is attuned to God's presence and guidance, allowing us to live a life that reflects His love and truth. [03:19]

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a thought that frequently occupies your mind. Does it lead you toward God, or does it distract you from Him? How can you begin to weigh this thought more carefully?


Day 3: Dismissing the Negative
God gives us the power to dismiss thoughts rooted in ego and despair. By weighing each thought, we can prevent them from lingering and setting passions in motion. This practice involves recognizing the negative thoughts that arise and choosing to let them go, replacing them with thoughts that are aligned with God's truth and love. As we do this, we experience greater freedom and peace, living a life that is not weighed down by negativity and despair. [04:03]

"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)

Reflection: Identify a negative thought that often lingers in your mind. How can you actively dismiss it today and replace it with a thought that reflects God's truth?


Day 4: Rethinking as Repentance
Repentance is a call to rethink our strategy for living. By reconsidering how we have been thinking, we open ourselves to a life of truth, love, and courage. This involves a willingness to examine our thoughts and actions, seeking God's guidance in aligning them with His will. As we embrace this process of rethinking, we experience the transformative power of repentance, allowing us to live more fully in God's kingdom. [06:31]

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to rethink your approach? How can you invite God into this process of rethinking and repentance today?


Day 5: Embracing Lightness and Joy
By discarding thoughts that weigh us down, we experience the lightness and joy of life in God's kingdom. This practice leads to a mind focused on God and free from self-seeking and fear. As we let go of thoughts that do not serve us, we make room for the joy and peace that come from living in alignment with God's will. This lightness of mind and spirit allows us to experience the fullness of life that God desires for us. [10:26]

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one thought or burden you can cast on the Lord today to experience greater lightness and joy in your life?

Quotes


Now we need to understand that what simply occupies our mind very largely governs what we do. We'll talk about something Weighing on our mind. It sets the emotional tone out of which our actions flow and projects the possible courses of action available to us. Also, the Mind, although of little power on its own, is the place of our widest and most basic Freedom. [00:01:10]

By placing my mind in a posture of surrender before God and then coming to believe that a power greater than myself can restore me from sanity and then deciding to turn my will over, I will be able to do other things or avoid other things, enter into a life of sobriety, do the other steps in ways that I couldn't. [00:01:50]

Part of the calling of God on our life is to begin to think differently, to think again. Indeed, the call of Jesus to repent is nothing but a call to think about how we have been thinking. That's metal oh that's the idea of repenting, have second thoughts when we come to the task of developing disciples into the fullness of Christ. [00:02:48]

Is this thought something that is leading me towards life, towards God, towards what is good, towards power, towards resilience, towards being truthful, or is it leading me in the other direction? Every single thought that comes into my mind has a little kind of a charge just like little electrons and protons have charges. [00:03:19]

Part of the power that God gives us is the power of dismissing thoughts originating from the old life's motivational structure, the wrong way of thinking, the thinking of ego and selfishness and sin and despair. We know that all habits are hard to break, but the decision to dwell or not to dwell in thought upon certain things is the freedom secured for us in our vision of Jesus. [00:03:48]

Whether these thoughts disturb the soul or not does not depend on us, but whether they linger in us or not and set passions in motion or not, that does depend on us. So what do we do? Dallas goes on to quote the anonymous author in the mid 14th century who wrote a book called The Cloud of Unknowing who advised his readers here it is to weigh each thought. [00:05:19]

I'm having this thought of despondency or this thought of greed or this thought of resentment. They should travail busily to destroy the first stirring and thought of these things that they might sin in. This is the only way to avoid following the thought into the deed. Luther said one time we can't help it that birds fly over our heads, but we can keep them from building nests in our hair. [00:06:07]

I am not responsible for what thoughts may come or may go, but I do choose to indulge them, to entertain in them or not. And so the key here and this is the invitation for today and we do this together with God. This is part of having second thoughts. This is part of thinking about your thinking. [00:06:31]

When a thought comes just pause and ask myself calmly and simply, is this not moving me towards God and life and Truth and Love and courage and reality Joy or pain as may be needed in the moment? Isn't moving me towards the person God wants me to be or is it moving me away? [00:06:57]

There are thoughts in my mind that will weigh me now they're just garbage, they're just trash. You're not enough, you're not good enough, you're not bright enough, you're not attractive enough, you're missing out on something, somebody else is having a better life than you and you got to Envy them. [00:08:07]

The greatest Freedom that you have is the freedom on what will occupy your mind so think it out again repent think about how you have been thinking, and as thoughts come into your mind, weigh them as the birds are flying overhead decide which ones you want to allow to build a little nest in your little hair and which ones you do not. [00:09:37]

Inspire my thoughts, decisions, intuitions just like when that vehicle goes on those scales at that dump and we say we're going to get rid of the garbage weigh each thought Let It Go to have lightness of Mind and Spirit is such a gift, and that's life in the kingdom of God today. [00:10:26]

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Transcript
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