Romans 12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

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 is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

OUR THOUGHTS MATTER!

Proverbs 23:6-7

Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Eat and drink he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

Proverbs 23:7

For as he thinks in his heart so is he.

“What you think about who you are determines to a large degree, the quality of life you live.” Joe McIntyre

“Our actions are a direct result of our thoughts. If we have a negative mind, we will have a negative life.” Joyce Meyer

“The Lord spoke to me: THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT!” Joyce Meyer

“We absolutely must understand the battleground is in the realm of the mind.” Derek Prince

“The territory of the uncrucified thought-life is the beachhead of satanic assault in our lives. To defeat the devil, we must be crucified in the place of the skull. We must be renewed in the spirit of our minds.” Francis Frangipane

Romans 12:1 MSG

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life- your sleeping, eating, going to work and walking around life – and place it before God as an offering.

Romans 12:2 NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Renew – Renovate, restore

Romans 8:5

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:6

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

“The way we think will decide whether we live a spiritual or a carnal life.” Evangelist Norman Robertson

1. RECOGNIZE OUR NEED OF RENEWAL

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

“Pride is like bad breath; everybody knows you have it but you.” Sylvester Flemming

What am I thinking about myself, about God, about those around me?

2. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR THOUGHTS

2 Corinthians 10:5b

Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

3. REPENT OF UNGODLY THOUGHTS AND MINDSETS

Matthew 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Repent – A change of mind, which leads to a change of heart, which leads to a change of direction.

4. RENOUNCE EVERY LIE AND UNGODLY BELIEF

2 Corinthians 4:2a

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully.

2 Corinthians 10:4

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

“Behind a stronghold is a lie.” Chris Hayword

5. REPLACE EVERY LIE WITH THE TRUTH OF THE WORD OF GOD

John 8:32

And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.

A. To know the truth, we must read the Word, study the Word, and meditate on the Word.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things.

B. Declare His truth over our lives!

Job 22:28a

You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you.

Discussion Questions

1. How would you describe your thought life?

2. What is a negative or ungodly thought pattern you have seen in your life?

3. Are you willing to repent and renounce that ungodly belief?

4. What is the truth of the Word with which you can replace that ungodly belief?

5. What is the Holy Spirit encouraging you to do to keep your heart and mind filled with the truth of the Word of God?