Ephesians 4:22-24 - Let The Spirit Renew Your Mind.
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT) throw off your old
sinful nature and your former way of life, which is
corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the
Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on
your new nature, created to be like God - truly
righteous and holy.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Sometimes we forget how much control we
have over our daily attitudes.
We've all had those days when nothing
seems to be going right, and then a friend, family
member, or coworker stops and asks us how we are
doing. They aren't satisfied with our polite reply,
"Oh, I'm fine. How about you?" But they sense
there's more and keep talking, listening, and caring
until we begin to sense our attitudes shifting.
We realize we have so much for which to
be thankful. We're reminded of God's goodness
and sovereignty. We regain our eternal
perspective and recognize our little inconveniences are
no big deal. Maybe we can even laugh about what
seemed like a monumental struggle earlier in the
day.
The Bible tells us we have the ability to
renew our minds by taking our thoughts captive to
Christ. If we filter our negative thoughts when they
occur, refusing to give them room to grow and
fester into our attitudes, then we hold onto our
peace and joy. No longer does our mood depend on
our circumstances. Regardless of what happens
from hour to hour, if we focus on Christ, then
our thoughts, words, expressions, and actions
will reflect a positive, loving spirit.
When negative thoughts come to mind
today, Jesus, help me submit them to your
authority. Let my attitude reflect the grace,
gratitude, and gentleness that I see in you. [Daily
Power by Craig Groeschel]
COMMENTARY
Thoughts and attitudes are important
because they determine what you feel. Thoughts,
attitudes, and feelings then determine what you do.
Some of your thoughts are on the surface of your
mind, and you're aware of them. But some of your
thoughts and attitudes are rooted deep down in your
heart, and you're seldom consciously aware of
them.
I'll never change.
I've been like this my whole life. I
can't do it.
I'm too busy.
When thoughts like these well up from
deep inside us, they block us from doing the
things God wants us to do.
What can we do about these thoughts that
have been rooted inside us for years? We must
invite the Holy Spirit to expose them so that we're
consciously aware of them. Then we can ask, "Is it
true?" That's a crucial question about any thought
that is an obstacle to change. Then the Holy
Spirit will help us uproot thoughts that aren't
true. He is eager to help. Ask him.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the
deep-rooted negative thoughts that stand in the way of
your transformation. [The Daniel Plan 365-Day
Devotional]
Change requires making choices. Its
not enough to dream of changing. Its not
enough to desire change. In order for you to
change, you will need to make a decision. You must
choose to change.
Change is intentional: Are you going to
be any different in six months? Are you going
to be better a year from now? Are you going to
be healthier, stronger, and more mature? Are
you going to be happier? Are you going to be
less in debt? Are you going to be more like God
wants you to be?
I can tell you the answer right now: It
will only happen if you choose to change, because
it isnt going to happen accidentally. You
need to think ahead to where you need to be at
the end of this year and where you need to be in
three years, six years, and a decade from now. I
want you to be better in 10 years than you are
today, but you wont be unless you choose to be.
Change requires a choice.
A lot of times we think were waiting
on God to change us. No, you are not waiting on
God. God is waiting on you! Hes waiting on you
to say, Yes, Lord, Im willing to make
these changes.
We have to make intentional choices in
order to grow. There is no growth without change,
there is no change without loss, and there is no
loss without pain. If you are going to grow, you
will have to change, and change means you let go
of some old things and grab hold of some new
things.
Its like swinging on a trapeze: The
trapeze artist swings out on one bar, and then he
has to reach out and grab the other bar. At some
point, hes got to let go of one to grab the
other, or hes not going to make it to the other
side. If he thinks he can hold on to both, what
happens? He gets stuck in the middle, and hes
going down.
Perhaps you are stuck in the middle, and
youre going down because you havent let go of
the old patterns, the old habits, and the old
ways of thinking. You have to let go of your old
ways.
The Bible says, Throw off your old
sinful nature and your former way of life
(Ephesians 4:22 NLT). In other words, let it go. Those
old habits, those old hurts, those old patterns,
those old sins in your life - let them go. The
Bible says to throw them off and trust that God is
working in you to will and to act in order to
fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13 NIV).
[Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
CLOSING THOUGHT
When God wants to remove the defects in
your life, he doesnt always just snap his
fingers so that it happens instantly. He does it
incrementally. Youve heard me say this before: When God
wants to make a mushroom, he takes six hours, but
when God wants to make an oak tree, he takes 60
years.
So, do you want to be a mushroom or an
oak tree?
The Holy Spirit will make changes in your
life far beyond anything you thought was
possible, but theyre not going to happen overnight.
My prayer for you is that through the work of
the Holy Spirit and the Word of God and with
support from other believers like the people in your
small group, you will be more mature, more
Christlike, and further along in your purpose 10 years
from today.
I pray that in 10 years, you will be
stronger emotionally, physically, spiritually,
psychologically, and financially, but youve got to be
intentional about it. The Bible says, Put on your new
nature, created to be like God - truly righteous and
holy (Ephesians 4:24 NLT). [Daily Devotional by
Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190422-0943.html
EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON 28 REVELATIONS OF
JESUS
1st of 28: Divine Dining:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7j1QIKqmY
2nd of 28: Pictures of the Divine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNI-OQ7-eQ
3rd of 28: A Dirty Bible:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkPvBuuFd4
4th of 28: Cared For:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztXyJVdcCds
5th of 28: Saved:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX45kGRe1HI
6th of 28: You Can Change:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0gkvK18fo
7th of 28: Reprogramming Our Brains:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov36f_RapXc
8th of 28: Our Holy Father:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XabXLEXsxbY
9th of 28: Gifts of Service:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtuGZviodkA
Live ongoing series in progress.
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs FGGibbs@abible.com
