Bible Study – Mind – Right Mind – February 7, 2010

We begin a new series of study entitled “Battle for the Mind.”

Our scripture for this study is Romans 8:5-8; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 and 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

The remaining studies for the month are:
February 14 – “What Will It Take to Change Your Mind?” – Philippians 3:2-15; 4:8.
February 21 – “What’s on Your Mind?” – Colossians 3:1-14.
February 28 – “How Can You Stay in Control of Your Mind?”- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-17.

The battle for our minds happens every day and all around us – newspapers, TV, radio, mail, internet, e-mail, telephone, billboards, friends, neighbors, relatives, the flesh, the HOLY SPIRIT and the list goes on and on. Satan battles for our minds, especially when a person is considering salvation or dedicating his/her life to CHRIST. CHRIST battles for our minds to lead those who are seeking to salvation. If Satan loses the battle to prevent a person from accepting CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR, then his next objective is to defeat this new believer to keep him/her from becoming an effective Christian. This is especially true for believers who have a desire for a deeper, more intimate relationship with GOD through CHRIST. But through the battle for the mind, the believer is strengthened and is drawn closer to CHRIST, if he/she will seek HIM as the battle rages. This is part of the sanctification process, which is the process of building a more intimate, dynamic relationship with CHRIST. GOD’S goal for every believer is for him/her to be made in the image of HIS SON, JESUS.

However, GOD gives each person the freedom to choose. HE never overrides the will of non-believers and believers. HE wants all to come to HIM and obediently serve HIM freely, without coercion. HE woos and works within our hearts to call all to salvation and to a deeper walk with HIM. But the choice is up to each person.
When the Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Rome he had not visited it. There are two (2) churches that Paul wrote to that he did not establish – Rome and Colossi. Therefore, when he wrote to the Church in Rome, he wrote a smorgasbord of Christian fundamentals. He wanted the Christians in Rome to know exactly where he was coming from regarding faith in CHRIST. He knew that Rome was a hodge-podge of gods, religions and religious practices. He wanted the Christians in Rome to know exactly where he stood regarding Christian fundamentals.

Our scripture begins with Chapter 8. As we look back to his message in Chapters 1-4, it was sin that prevented a person from salvation and good works could not make a person righteous and acceptable to GOD. Paul made it clear that salvation was faith in CHRIST and that HIS death on the cross broke the sin barrier. As a result of JESUS paying the price for sin, all who believe in HIM are made righteous. Paul addressed this in 2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

In Chapters 5-8, Paul discussed life as a Christian.

In Romans 8:1-4 Paul discussed the joy and benefit of being a “born-again” believer:
1 Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus,[1] Other mss add who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit 2 because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you[2] Other mss read me free from the law of sin and of death. 3 What the law could not do since it was limited[3] Or weak by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain,[4] Lit in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering,[5] Lv 5:6–7,11; 14:31; Isaiah 53:10 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not • walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

In Romans 8:1, Paul was confirming the fact that “born-again” believers would not be condemned in this life or the life to follow. Why do I use the words “born-again?”
Verse 1 is directed to all “born-again” believers. The key is “born-again” believers. This is not directed to people who have “head knowledge” of CHRIST or people who believe that belonging to a certain church will get them to heaven. Christianity is CHRIST in you, period. Believers attend church to grow and mature in CHRIST. It is good for non-believers, which includes people with head knowledge of CHRIST, to attend church because in doing so it provides an opportunity for truth to be revealed to them.

Verse 1 is profound. Let’s read what JESUS had to say about “born-again” believers and condemnation or judgment as recorded in John 5:24 which could form the basis for Paul’s statement:

24 “I (JESUS) assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

Once believers accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR, they are born into the family of GOD and become a child of GOD; there is “No Condemnation.” This to me is profound. I recall in my younger years a pastor stated, “if he believed that once you were saved you could never lose your salvation, he would “paint the town red” (Meaning do whatever the flesh led him to do) every Saturday night (That was the big night for carousing.) and go to church on Sunday to get forgiveness.” What did this say about the heart of the pastor?

Think about, “no condemnation.” Once believers are born into the family of GOD through the miracle of rebirth, GOD gives them freedom to do as they please. HIS desire is for all believers to obediently serve HIM because of what GOD has done for them through CHRIST, salvation from sin and eternal death. What do believers forfeit if they choose not to obediently serve HIM after they are saved? They forfeit the joy of getting to know HIM intimately, through relationship and the rewards, both earthly and heavenly, for not obediently serving HIM.

HE never forces Himself on non-believers or believers. Born-again believers have the inner presence and working of the HOLY SPIRIT, once they have received salvation. GOD beckons HIS children to yield their wills to HIM and to obediently serve HIM. Doing so brings unspeakable joy and assurance of the presence and power of GOD in the life of every believer.

It is vital for all people, especially believers who have strayed from serving CHRIST, to realize that no matter what they might have done, GOD is always ready with open arms. HE eagerly waits to welcome those seeking forgiveness for their sins or to welcome back a wayward child into fellowship with HIM. Believers may move away from GOD but GOD never moves away from them. HIS children have the freedom to move away from HIM. But it is GOD’S desire for all believers to willingly serve HIM. HE never forces Himself on a person but HE sure can place barriers or allow circumstances to get his/her attention.

What a SAVIOR and what a loving GOD we serve!!! HIS desire is for all people to come to CHRIST for salvation and for no one to go to Hell. In 2 Peter 3:9 we find:
9 The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

Once a person is “born-again” in his/her spirit, he/she remains in his/her human body, flesh, earth suit. I like to think of our human bodies as “earth suits” because they are useful for believers to continue to live on earth and interact with fellow humans to spread the Gospel of CHRIST. This is GOD’S plan. The instant we ask CHRIST to forgive us of our sins and to come into our hearts, HE does and the HOLY SPIRIT indwells our human bodies to:

- Give us assurance of our salvation. The HOLY SPIRIT is GOD’S down payment to every believer that his/her faith in CHRIST is real. Romans 8:16 - 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and 2 Corinthians 1:22 - 22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.

- Empower us.

- Enlighten us to truth. Ephesians 1:18-19 - 18 [I pray]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.

- I love the words “eyes of your heart.” The HOLY SPIRIT reveals truth and enlightens all believers in their inner being. I think of it as the most secret place within each of us where GOD and each of us know the real truth. It is the place where we can be honest with GOD. It is the place we can discuss the most intimate things with GOD and seek HIS guidance and help. It is the place we receive comprehension and understanding. It is the place, as we see HIS hand at work or as we read HIS Word, we have that “ah haw” or “now I see” moment.

- Teach us, lead and guide believers as they serve HIM and so much more.

- Our earth suits or jars of clay become the dwelling place for the SPIRIT of GOD. This is awesome. Every place you place your foot becomes Holy Ground because of the presence of GOD in you.

As believers, we are no longer under the “law of sin and death” but under the “SPIRIT’S law of life in CHRIST”. It is impossible for a person to receive salvation by serving the “law of sin and death”, meaning the flesh. Believers are free from the law of the flesh. Believers belong to GOD through CHRIST and their citizenship is in heaven. GOD leaves believers on earth, once they have received their new life in CHRIST, to obediently serve HIM. We must keep in mind that we were not made for time but for eternity. Heaven is the home for believers.

GOD sent CHRIST to earth to accomplish what the “law of sin and death” could not accomplish. GOD sent CHRIST so that all who believe in HIM will be under the SPIRIT’S law of life through CHRIST, which is salvation from the “law of sin and death.” Is that Good News or not?

Now let’s explore verses 5-11, which deal with the mind of the flesh versus the mind of the Spirit.

Let’s read Romans 8:5-11:

The Life-Giving Spirit
5 For those whose lives are[6] Or those who are according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those whose lives are[7] Or those who are according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. 8 Those whose lives are[8] Or Those who are in the flesh are unable to please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since[9] Or provided that the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead[10] Or the body will die because of sin, but the Spirit[11] Or spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through[12] Other mss read because of His Spirit who lives in you.

To receive the promise of “No Condemnation”, a person must be born into the family of GOD through faith in CHRIST. This is the rebirth of the human spirit. JESUS discussed this with the Jewish Rabbi, Nicodemus, in John, Chapter 3:1-8:
Jesus and Nicodemus

1 There was a man from the • Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Him at night and said, “• Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher, for no one could perform these signs You do unless God were with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “• I assure you: Unless someone is born again,[1] The same Gk word can mean again or from above (also in v. 7). he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 “But how can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked Him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “I assure you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit,[2] Or spirit, or wind; the Gk word pneuma can mean wind, spirit, or Spirit, each of which occurs in this context. he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you[3] The pronoun is pl in Gk. must be born again. 8 The wind[4] The Gk word pneuma can mean wind, spirit, or Spirit, each of which occurs in this context. blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

To be born-again is not saying certain words but it is the attitude of the heart. It is believing that CHRIST died for your sins by giving HIS life on the cross for your sins. HE died where you and I should have died to pay for our sins. HE died in our place. Also, believe that GOD raised HIM from the dead. The resurrection of CHRIST was GOD’S proof that JESUS was the acceptable sacrifice for all sin, especially the original sin of Adam and Eve, which was the beginning for all sin. Sin is why there is death, disease, wars and every act of violence. HIS resurrection was proof that HE conquered sin and death and as a result all believers receive salvation from sin and death.

Verse 5 addresses our thought life. The thought life of believers reveals where their heart is. Believers can know their spiritual health by evaluating their thought life. If believers are carnal minded or flesh minded, they think more about the things of the flesh but as believers yield their thought life to GOD, they think more about the things according to the Spirit. That is why scripture memory is so important. The more we can fill our minds with scripture and dwell upon the things of GOD, the less we dwell on the things of the flesh. But I can tell you, if you are a red blooded person, you will be lured into thinking about the things of the flesh because there is a battle for your mind. When you see that you have flesh thoughts, confess it and try to fill your mind with the love of GOD and with scripture.

Verse 6, speaks of the mind-set of the flesh. The mind-set of the flesh is death. That does not mean those who have the mind-set of the flesh go around with long faces and dwell upon dying. No, it means that they are dead to the things of GOD. They have blocked out all that GOD is trying to reveal to them. Whereas the mind-set of those who are led by the SPIRIT is life and peace because they are secure in CHRIST and GOD speaks to them as they walk with HIM.

Verses 7and 8, underscore that the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to GOD and is unable to please GOD. The Apostle Paul addressed the mind in Romans 12:2:

1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.[1] Or your reasonable service 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

The HOLY SPIRIT renews the minds of believers to the extent they allow HIM.

Verses 9-11 - In essence, when CHRIST died believers also died and when GOD raised HIM from the dead, believers were also resurrected. Believers were resurrected when CHRIST was resurrected; therefore, believers live in a body made alive by the power of GOD. When a believer’s earth suit dies physically, his/her “born-again” Spirit leaves his/her body and is immediately present with CHRIST and GOD in heaven. When CHRIST returns to earth for the second time, “born-again” believers who have departed this earth in the physical death will return with HIM to receive their new glorified bodies. Their new glorified bodies will be just like CHRIST’S glorified body at HIS resurrection.

In the mean time “born-again” believers are on earth in their “jars of clay” to obediently serve GOD.

Paul writes about the importance of renewing of the mind when he wrote in his second letter to the church in Corinth.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 4:3-4:

3 But if, in fact, our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 Regarding them: the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,[1] Or the gospel of the glorious Christ, or the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God. 5 For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus. 6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness”[2] Gn 1:3 —He has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

Treasure in Clay Jars
7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars (our earth suits), so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.

The mind-set for those in the flesh is against GOD. Guess why? Satan is the ruler of this world. He deals with the flesh. The flesh is powerful and against the things of GOD. Satan does not want any person to know the truth of salvation. He tries to blind the minds of unbelievers. At one time believers were unbelievers. But believers are the beacon of light and hope to those who are lost and blinded by Satan. That is why it is vital that believers yield their lives to obediently serve GOD and be the salt of the earth and the light that GOD intended. GOD works within the hearts and lives of every human. Believers can be the physical connection between GOD and those seeking salvation or finding their way back into fellowship.

Ephesians 1:3-6:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,[2] Eph 1:20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12 in Christ; 4 for He chose[3] Rm 11:5–7; 1 Co 1:26–31; 1 Th 1:4; 2 Th 2:13; 1 Pt 1:1–2 us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4] Vv. 3–14 are 1 sentence in Gk. In love[5] Or In His sight in love 5 He predestined[6] Ac 4:28; Rm 8:29–30; 1 Co 2:7; Eph 1:11 us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, 6 to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.

I believe GOD’S foreknowledge allowed HIM to see those who would become believers and HE made certain that each believer would be conceived.

CHRIST brought light to a world covered by the darkness of sin and death. Salvation though CHRIST brings the light of GOD into the lives of all believers. GOD’S desire is for believers to share the light they have. What a joy!

Only those who have the mind-set of the SPIRIT see the light and know the light of GOD in their lives. Believers have this vast treasure in their hearts, which is in their earth suits or jars of clay and give off a fragrance. WOW!

Believers have the mind of CHRIST and are led by the HOLY SPIRIT. Did you know that as a believer you give off an odor?
How do you smell to others? Believers give off an odor. Paul writes about it is 2 Corinthians 2:14-16:

14 But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display[6] Or always leads us in a triumphal procession, or less likely, always causes us to triumph in Christ,[7] Lit in the Christ, or in the Messiah; see 1 Co 15:22; Eph 1:10,12,20; 3:11 and spreads through us in every place the scent of knowing Him. 15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To some we are a scent of death leading to death, but to others, a scent of life leading to life. And who is competent for this?

Have the mind-set of CHRIST and give off the sweet odor of salvation to those lost.
Oh, how good you all smell to GOD and to those around you today.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:12-16:

12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, in order to know what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.[7] Or things with spiritual words 14 But the natural man does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to know it since it is evaluated[8] Or judged, or discerned spiritually. 15 The spiritual person, however, can evaluate[9] Or judge, or discern everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated[10] Or judged, or discerned by anyone. 16 For: who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct Him?[11] Isaiah 40:13 But we have the mind of Christ.

Paul wrote in his first letter to the church in Corinth for believers not to be surprised when they cannot communicate about Spiritual things with non-believers. You can talk about the spirit world and most people will discuss it with you. But when it comes to GOD, CHRIST and THE HOLY SPIRIT and what you are learning, seeing or being taught it makes no sense to the non-believer.

I like the way the King James Version translates verse 14:

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The HOLY SPIRIT within every believer is the decoder of Spiritual information from GOD to each believer. The non-believer or natural person is unable to receive Spiritual things from GOD because Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. When GOD begins to present Himself to non-believers and HE gives us opportunity to speak to them, HE will give us the right words to speak, which will make sense to them.

Let the light of CHRIST shine through you and the fragrance of HIS salvation let others know of your relationship with CHRIST. Renew your minds by seeking a more intimate loving relationship with CHRIST today. Hide the Word of GOD in your heart that you might not sin against HIM. Blessings!!!