Chapter Six: The Renewed Mind: Basic to Practical Christianity.

Our text now offers practical advice on living a victorious Christian life. We must first define what victorious living is: It is living life according to the principles of the kingdom of God, and it is life lived in dominion over the principles of this present age. We have available to us for a resource, the "Word of God," and we have the presences and power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to us as a teacher and the source of knowing the principles and the will of the Father.

2 Tim. 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; [17] that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

For you and me, God has given a most precious Gift, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

John 7:38-39 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.' " [39] But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

1 Thes. 1:5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

2 Tim. 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.



You might at this point ask, why so many Christians live in defeat if God has given us all of the tools needed for life in the here and now? Perhaps the answer can be found in the set of their minds. "The mind set on the flesh is death." They know the promises of God but have their eyes set on the kingdom of this world. A key word that Dr. Gottier would have us examine is "Faith," for we receive nothing from the kingdom of God except by faith. In fact our very salvation came by faith alone. Romans 5:1-2 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Mark 11:23 "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him."

Few things will please God-Jesus as much as faith exhibited in Him. Matthew 8:5-10

And when He had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, entreating Him, [6] and saying, "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain." [7] And He said to him, "I will come and heal him." [8] But the centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. [9] "For I, too, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it." [10] Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled, and said to those who were following, "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.

Mark 5:25-34 And a woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, [26] and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse, [27] after hearing about Jesus, came up in the crowd behind Him, and touched His cloak. [28] For she thought, "If I just touch His garments, I shall get well." [29] And immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. [30] And immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My garments?" [31] And His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude pressing in on You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' " [32] And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. [33] But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him, and told Him the whole truth. [34] And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

Mark 9:23 And Jesus said to him, "'If You can!' All things are possible to him who believes."

There are two realities, the kingdom of this world revealed through the five senses and the kingdom of heaven that can only be known by a person born of the Spirit, revealed through the living Word of God and the power of His Holy Spirit. Faith is simply the absolute confidence that the reality of the things of the kingdom of God is far more powerful and enduring than the things of this present age. Romans 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.

Dr. Gottier reminds us of two things: In the mind of the Christian struggling to live a victorious life, in which he longs to act upon the promises of the Word of God that he has stored in his spirit; he falters, and once again relies on the safer things of reason and sense, setting the mind on the flesh. The carnally minded Christian desires revelation results in his life, but seeks them through the tools of the flesh and the five senses. The joy of the mind set on the Spirit is found in 2 Cor. 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

The ultimate goal of the Christian life lived with a renewed mind is found in Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me."

Perhaps you may want to read Scriptures definition of "faith." It is found in Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Moses was commanded by God to build the tabernacle exactly as he was shown. Exodus 25:8-9 "And let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. [9] "According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

If our focus is on victorious Christian living than we must agree with the passage in Romans 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.

Luke 16:8-13 "And his master praised the unrighteous steward because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light. [9] "And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. [10] "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. [11] "If therefore you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you? [12] "And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? [13] "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."



Why did I lose my Healing?

If you have been healed by the Lord, of a physical infirmity, then you must be aware that the author of disease will make every attempt to re-afflict you. Remember John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I [Jesus] came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly." You received your healing in the exact same way that you received your salvation, by faith. You retain your healing in the same way that you received it, by faith. Dr. Gottier would have us turn to Ephesians 6: for the weapons needed to defend ourselves against the robber of our faith. In Ephesians 6:10-13 we find the admonition to be prepared.

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. [11] Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Dr. Gottier offers this word of caution: Just as you cannot be saved through someone else's faith, neither can you protect that which the Lord has given you by the faith of someone else. As you study the Word of God and store it deep within your spirit, accessible to the Holy Spirit for the renewing of your mind, only then will you be able to stand against the forces of wickedness in high places. Our author underscores the necessity of our families united in this standing.

Matthew 18:19 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven."

By this point in our study we should understand that in "every great miracle from God, there are three witnesses." First is "the Word of God revealing the reality of His kingdom"; The physical reality of this world evidenced by pain and symptoms and suffering, and in between is the focus of the mind, choosing to trust either the reality of the kingdom above, or the reality of this age.

Circumstances Entangle Me.

The frustration, most often express by stumbling Christians, is a desire to be free from impending traps set by the enemy of our souls. It brings to mind Peter, having been advised by Jesus, of Jesus' coming persecution and death, Peter whips out his sword and attempts to save Jesus. Note Jesus' response: Mark 8:33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."

Dr. Gottier quotes an un-named poet "It is the set of the sail and not the gale that determines the direction of the ship." If the mind is set constantly on the circumstances around it, then those circumstances will inevitably entangle it. The cause of this mind set is often a man fearing spirit. Listen to the religious leaders of Jesus day! John 11:48 "If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."

John 19:38 And after these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. He came therefore, and took away His body.

I Long to be More Spiritual.

For a model of "spiritual man" our author points us first to Adam, then to Jesus. As we have seen in detail in chapter four, spiritual man is man restored to God's original intent and order for him, in the image of God, just as Adam had been created. His spirit has been renewed -- made alive to God, and set on the things of the Spirit. Together the spirit and the mind rule the flesh. Jesus born of the Spirit did not inherit Adam's fallen nature. Rather, He was the first man born through a woman, Spiritually alive. To Jesus the things of the kingdom of God were far more real than the things of this world.

Mark 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

 Luke 8:10 And He said, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, in order that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand."

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Luke 9:60 But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God."

John 5:19 Jesus therefore answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner."

Dr. Gottier would have us to dispatch the idea that a spiritual man can be identified by external trappings. A spiritual man is one who, is well on his way toward a renewed mind, and is obedient to the Father and trusting Him implicitly. " The most spiritual thing that a spiritual man can do, is come into the presence of his Lord, and offer Him full worship, praise and adoration." "If you long to be more spiritual than pursue a renewed mind with all of your being. Learn to worship, praise and enjoy Him as you were created to do."

Reading the Word is Tough-sledding for Me.

Our text brings to the foreground several thoughts on this topic. Do you approach the Word of God as you would a novel or as "Revealed Knowledge?" Paul reminds us repeatedly that these truths are hidden from the natural mind.

2 Cor. 4:3-4 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, [4] in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

1 Cor. 2:6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;

Paul, speaking of Jew's said this in 2 Cor. 3:14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.

2 Cor. 11:1-3 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. [2] For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. [3] But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

1 Tim. 6:20-21 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"-- [21] which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.

2 Tim. 2:23-24 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. [24] And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

Our Author offers two basic steps that will transform our time of Bible study and bring alive the Word of God. Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you."

·       Wisdom and teaching [revelation knowledge] come from the ____________ _________.

When we study Scripture, we should do so with eternity in mind. Dr. Gottier now offers this advice, which I will quote verbatim. He begins his devotions each day with these   guidelines

1st. "Ask to be filled afresh with God's Holy Spirit for the day ahead."

2nd "Set your mind against all distractions and take authority over anything that would keep you from the word."

3rd "Consciously open your heart and mind to the voice of God's Spirit."

4th Ask the Holy to be your teacher, to cause the Word to come alive. Ask for wisdom and understanding, that we might know Him.

By doing this we are simply confessing our own inadequacy at understanding His Word and our need to be taught by Him.

How Can I Know the Will of God for My Life?

Judges 6:36-40 Then Gideon said to God, "If Thou wilt deliver Israel through me, as Thou hast spoken, [37] behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that Thou wilt deliver Israel through me, as Thou hast spoken." [38] And it was so. When he arose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece, he drained the dew from the fleece, a bowl full of water. [39] Then Gideon said to God, "Do not let Thine anger burn against me that I may speak once more; please let me make a test once more with the fleece, let it now be dry only on the fleece, and let there be dew on all the ground." [40] And God did so that night; for it was dry only on the fleece, and dew was on all the ground.

God has given each of us the ability to know His will through the Word and the indwelling presence of our teacher and mentor, His Holy Spirit. Let's return again to the well-used passage in Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ephes. 5:8-10 For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), [10] trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Jesus, our model of the spiritual man, tells us that "trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord" should be the focus of the Christian walk. Look in Matthew 12:50 "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."

How important does Jesus determine, doing the will of the Father is? __________________________________.

Jesus, using an illustration from His contemporary surroundings, notes how the sheep will follow their shepherd because they know his voice; the parallel necessitates our knowing the voice or will of God and following that dictate. John 10:2-5 "But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. [3] "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. [4] "When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. [5] "And a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."

Romans 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Let me again conclude this portion of our lesson by quoting Dr. Gottier, verbatim.

"You can see the circumstances of life beginning to take shape with what God has promised you, in fact, you can expect them if you have heard from the Lord. However, the moment we begin to reverse this process by analyzing the circumstances about us and then rushing to God for His blessing on our decisions, we are in deep trouble." Our mind needs to remain fixed on the Spirit.

Can we know the will of God? Paul seems to think so: Ephes. 5:17-18 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. [18] And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

Col. 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Philip. 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,

How Can I retrain My Mouth?

Our author points out that every action in a man's life begins with a thought: in the same way, the words of a man's mouth are born out of his thoughts. Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. How do I learn to guard my mouth? That we may gain understanding, let us look at Paul's writings in 2 Cor. 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, [4] for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. [5] We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, [6] and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

Paul clearly suggests that the matter of what we think is in our control. The option is ours, we can entertain the thought and enjoy it, or we can dismiss it in the name of Jesus. Modern day Psychologists know enough about the human mind to recognize that you will talk about what you think about. If the question is what we talk about, then the inquiry must go deeper, as to what we think about. God did not leave us in the lurch here: through His indwelling Holy Spirit he speaks to our spirit and mind. Listen again to Hebrews 4:12. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Psalm 94:11 The Lord knows the thoughts of man that they are a mere breath.

Since the words of our mouth come from the inner thoughts, if our minds are renewed and are set upon the things of the spirit, then the words we speak ought to reflect the things of Christ and His Word. At this point our lips have the choice of confessing two realities, one from the kingdom of this world system, which is death and destruction, or that of the kingdom of our God, which is life and peace. John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly."

This is clearly portrayed in these next few passages from Mark 5:38-42. When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. [39] He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." [40] But they laughed at him. (Niv)

After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. [41] He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). [42] Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.

Jesus of course knew the voice of the Father and His will. In such matters as healing we must look to the Word and the indwelling voice of the Holy Spirit revealing the will of God. We have the mind of the Lord through the Word concerning our own health and safety and we may readily agree by confessing with our mouth the higher reality of His kingdom.

Other Problems Related to Our Words.

James 3:2,6. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. [6] And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

The third commandment given Moses on the Mount of Sinai, states unequivocally in Exodus 20:7

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."

To understand the seriousness with which God views His holiness, picture Moses, obedient to God, walking in all of the light that he had the past forty plus years and then this in Numbers 20:12

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as Holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them."

Another problem that afflicts Christians is the use of off-color jokes. Holy Writ is plain about these words. Ephes. 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. [Niv]

Out text wants us to focus on one last area of the mouth, gossip, ridicule, undercutting and backbiting, which can lead to the destruction of a brother or sister with words. Romans 1:29-31

 

Being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, [30] slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, [31] without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;

Part of the process of the renewing of our minds is to retrain our thought process with the help of the Holy Spirit deep within, to create new heart attitudes. 1 Peter 2:1 Therefore rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

Along the guidelines of what constitutes a course joke, Dr. Gottier would have us ask this question of ourselves before we speak! "What spirit do these words reflect?"

Dealing with Temptation

Several things can be said in dealing with temptation. When we have a renewed mind, we have the mind of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit-the grace of God, which teaches us to say no to sin. Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, [12] instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.

1 Cor. 2:16b . . . But we have the mind of Christ.

The writer to Hebrews makes no bones about it: Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Luke 6:45 "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."

The obvious answer to dealing with temptations is to continue in the pursuit of a renewed mind, taking every thought captive, keeping our minds set on the spirit. Jesus said that harboring an evil thought in our minds is the equivalent of doing the deed.

Matthew 5:21-22 "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' [22] "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

Matthew 5:27-28 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; [28] but I say to you that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart."



Proverbs sheds light on the problem in Proverbs 23:7a.  For as he thinks within himself, so he is.

With this understanding in mind, perhaps James' teaching on the subject makes a little more sense: James 1:15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Conversely Paul understands the need for the renewed mind to be set on the spirit. 2 Corinthians 10:5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

We are not left in obscurity as to how this is accomplished, for Paul goes on in Philip. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.

Our text points to three tools that the Renewed Mind has to work with, when facing temptation: "The authority to cast down evil imaginations when the enemy presents them; the strength to refuse evil thoughts and not harbor them in our heart; the presence and strength of the Holy Spirit to refocus the mind on those things which are pure, Holy, and virtuous." Knowing the possibility of the spiritual man to have victory over temptation when his mind is refocused, Dr. Gottier directs us to Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

The impact on our Marriage and Home.

Our chapter title is "Renewed Mind, basic to Practical Christianity." A good question would be, why are so many "Christian marriages" are in trouble? To understand this perhaps a review of the basic characteristics of the natural and carnal mind is in order. The un-renewed mind is basically egocentric or selfish, viewing life as revolving around their point of view. The Renewed mind is God centered, filled with agape love by the power of the Holy Spirit according to 1 Cor. 13:4-7

Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, [5] does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, [6] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Apart from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit of God and a mind set upon that Spirit we cannot know this kind of unselfish love. As a husband and wife move closer to a Renewed Mind, the more their love will resemble this love-agape love-Godly love, the more harmonious the marriage. Dr. Gottier offers this word of caution: "In these last few years Satan is hard at work destroying families through many channels. It is only through the pursuing of a Renewed Mind that the Christian, and Christian home will not resemble that of the world."

The Effectiveness of our Local Church.

Dr. Gottier points to the lack of a Renewed Mind in the fellowships and at the helm of our local churches as the primary cause of non-effectiveness. The result of a renewed mind is an infusion of agape love. Love that is self-giving is far more concerned about the well being of others than of itself. To love as Jesus loved, to bear one another's burdens, to strengthen and encourage each other and to labor together for the glory of the Lord without seeking personal recognition. Among His final words to his disciples, Jesus issued this mandate: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. [35] By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

John 15:12-13 "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. [13] "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

After Paul's injecting the need for a renewed mind in Romans 12:1-2 he identifies some of the expected outcomes in Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

The Witnessing Christian:

The Great Commission is either ignored or employed to such an extent today, using every worldly trick of coercion, that it will turnoff as many prospects as it might capture. The Justification of this is of course Acts 1:8 "but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

Listen to the apostle John as He defines the role of the witness, specifically for those that followed Jesus, but inclusive of us today, their spiritual legacy. John 15:26-27 "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me, [27] and you will bear witness also, because you have been with Me from the beginning."

As Christians our primary witnessing tool is a changed life, no longer fleshly, self-absorbed, not devastated by circumstances, but radiating the presence of the Holy Spirit within, as we portray a renewed mind.

Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Dr. Gottier offers a suggested prayer to begin each day with that goes something like this: "Father, you know every step I will take today. You know every life that I will touch. Quicken my spirit to recognize the hungry heart-the one You have been preparing by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Grant me the Spirit that I may represent Jesus well, able to explain the aspects of the Christian life that will most meet the needs of this person. Give me the courage to lead him to You."

A Christian and Material Possession

Matthew 6:24-34 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

Matthew 6:25-34 "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? [26] "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? [27] "And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span? [28] "And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, [29] yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. [30] "But if God so arrays the grass of

the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? [31] "Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?' [32] "For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."

Spiritual man needs to keep his focus upon the things of God and is completely confident that his Father in Heaven will provide his every need.

[33] "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. [34] "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

The Educational Process

Paul understood the need for a renewed mind, a mind that searches out God's will for our individual calling. Col. 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Ephes. 5:8-10 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), [10] trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

God has blessed each born again person with the presence of the Holy Spirit, who can greatly enhance our learning abilities. The Holy Spirit can give us greater creativity, increase our recall, and grant us insight, wisdom and understanding. John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you."

The Workplace

Since we spend the greater part of our lives in our vocation than any other single endeavor then God certainly has a preference for what He wants us to do. As Spirit led Christians we cannot leave our Christianity at the door of the Church before we go to our work place. Notice Paul's admonition in Col. 3:17

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Acts 24:16 "In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men."

2 Cor. 4:2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. The NIV may make this a bit clearer, let's read this again

2 Cor. 4:2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

2 Cor. 8:21 for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

1 Thes. 2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts.

Since we cannot leave our Christianity at the door of the church, we must therefore, bring it to the work place. Christ' ethics and integrity must permeate our lives, and so we can do nothing as natural or carnal men do, motivated by greed, self-absorptions, and self-elevation

1 Tim. 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Titus 1:7-8 For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, [8] but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

1 Peter 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

In fact 1 Peter 3:16 deals with that very thing: And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

The Priorities of Life:

One of the main observations that Dr. Gottier has led us through on the road to a Renewed Mind, is that all people must go through a type of metamorphous to regain the relationship with God, which was lost by Adam. All are born natural man, spiritually dead; only through Christ can a natural man move to a step called carnal man, spiritually alive with an un-renewed mind and a worldly focus. Finally, with a mind set on the spirit, he becomes a spiritual man, with the potential to be restored to position of created Adam. This is a human, indwelt by the Spirit of the creator, with the mind and wisdom of his Lord Jesus. Our text list three primary responsibilities of the spiritual man --

Our first and foremost responsibility is the care and feeding of our reborn spirit and its companion, the renewed mind. This includes time to be taught in the Word, to worship and praise the Father, to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and to know the mind of the Father and to know His will.

Psalm 119:16 I shall delight in Thy statutes I shall not forget Thy word.

Psalm 56:10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise,

Psalm 119:26-28 I have told of my ways, and Thou hast answered me; teach me Thy statutes [27] Make me understand the way of Thy precepts, so I will meditate on Thy wonders. [28] My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Thy word.

Psalm 119:33-36 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes, and I shall observe it to the end. [34] Give me understanding, that I may observe Thy law, and keep it with all my heart. [35] Make me walk in the path of Thy commandments, for I delight in it. [36] Incline my heart to Thy testimonies, and not to dishonest gain.

Psalm 119:38 Establish Thy word to Thy servant, as that which produces reverence for Thee.

Ephes. 2:18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

1 Cor. 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God.

1 Cor. 2:9-10 but just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him." [10] For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.

Therefore Jude gives us this counsel in Jude 1:20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most Holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

As we learned in John Bever's "The Fear of the Lord," We need to worship the Lord in awe, honor and respect. Compilers note: see the Bible Study by that name on www.geocities.com/christ_word.

Psalm 29:2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. (Niv)

Psalm 100:2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Niv

Compilers note: Only a true Christian on his way to a Renewed Mind can worship the Lord, others can speak in tongues, raise their hands and voices in praise and do everything else except "worship."

Romans 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and Holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Compilers note: The word "living" is highlighted here because recent events and revelation draw attention to it. Today, we are witnessing Islam's "Holy Jihad," a call for a person to offer their very lives as a means of attaining favor with Allah. Worship of our God demands obedience in life, not death. John 10:10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

Our second responsibility men, is that of becoming the prophet and priest of our homes. To instruct our families in the things of God as we are taught by the Holy Spirit, and to speak the mind of God to our family. Rev. 1:5-6 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His blood, [6] and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father; to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.







1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; [10] for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

As the old covenant priests' of God would intercede between God and man, so should the husband, the priest of his home, intercede for his family. As the prophet of God would speak to men for God, so is it the duty of the husband to reveal the truth's of God's word to his family.

Thirdly: Dr. Gottier reminds us that God's charge to Adam was to rule and have dominion over the entire creation. Each of us has influence over a portion of the earth upon which we live. The physical call to Israel as a nation to possess the land has a spiritual application for us today. Numbers 33:53 And you shall take possession of the land and live in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it. Look again at the 1 Peter passage chapter 2:9b referencing people born from above . . . a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Our text encourages us to set our hearts and minds on these three central priorities, if we will do that we can be free from the things that oppress natural man

Conclusion

At this conclusion of the study of "Toward a Renewed Mind" Dr. Gottier would call us to agreement with him, that there is no more pressing need in the Christian community than the development of our minds, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that we might gain the mind of Christ.

He asks us to review again Chapter four and five, the Eight Characteristics of the Spiritual man and the eight steps to accomplish this spiritual growth. Study carefully Chart 12, which clearly portrays life in the Renewed Mind, a mind set on the Spirit, taught through the Spirit, by the Word.

Listen closely to our Lords words to Joshua in chapter 1: verse 8

"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 success."

If Romans 12 is the clarion call to abandon our fleshly and carnal thoughts in exchange for a renewed mind then these passages in Ephesians 4 are the portrait of the end result.

Ephes. 4:13-32 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

Ephesians 4:15-16 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. [16] From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 4:17-19 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. [18] They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. [19] Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

Ephesians 4:20-24 [20] You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. [21] Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. [22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:25-31 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. [26] "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] and do not give the devil a foothold. [28] He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. [29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

The real fruit of the Renewed Mind is that we will be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. [Ephesians 4:32]

Epilogue

Since nothing further is to be gained by an interactive Bible Study on this text, I am copying Dr. Gottier's words verbatim, His epilogue. I trust that you will read them and prayerfully meditate upon them.

Return to the Bible Studies home page

Return to the Index for Toward a Renewed mind

<

Return to Chapter five.

1