As to the idea of the renewed mind; we need to constantly REMIND ourselves; James 1:23 states: For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: then next verse: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Obsession of self leads many to look at themselves in the mirror. I for one am glad the mirror is still intact after days of growing facial hair like a barbarian. I digress...
We need to repetitively examine our hearts. Those in addiction recovery (at least the one I'm in) use the term "fearless moral inventory" and I'm sure there are other versions of that concept. We learned patterns of behavior all our lives to promote our sin nature and please the flesh; now we have to replace that with growth and routine maintenance so that we aren't led astray or distracted from the mission at hand. Satan's "toolbox" as it were is designed to turn the screws on us; pushing the right buttons (perhaps appearing to us as the "easy" button which is disguised as one leading to destruction). The enemy is often boringly predictable using our weaknesses along with certain pesky folk to gradually unnerve us. He also is a master at causing us to THINK remaining on a given path is going smoothly but presenting a new challenge to blindside us.
These concepts; therefore are related to being as it were proactive over our soul and minds. Renewing our minds helps the stability of our soul; and we cannot effectively do this when our souls are being captivated by distracting or evil thoughts.
We cannot short circuit the project through impatience in order to speed up the process; and we need to trust that God has uniquely gifted us for our calling and that He will at the right time send us forth into the works He has predestined for us.
It is good to have investments and time in believers who disciple us and we can in turn disciple.
As to the idea of the renewed mind; we need to constantly REMIND ourselves; James 1:23 states: For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: then next verse: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Obsession of self leads many to look at themselves in the mirror. I for one am glad the mirror is still intact after days of growing facial hair like a barbarian. I digress...
We need to repetitively examine our hearts. Those in addiction recovery (at least the one I'm in) use the term "fearless moral inventory" and I'm sure there are other versions of that concept. We learned patterns of behavior all our lives to promote our sin nature and please the flesh; now we have to replace that with growth and routine maintenance so that we aren't led astray or distracted from the mission at hand. Satan's "toolbox" as it were is designed to turn the screws on us; pushing the right buttons (perhaps appearing to us as the "easy" button which is disguised as one leading to destruction). The enemy is often boringly predictable using our weaknesses along with certain pesky folk to gradually unnerve us. He also is a master at causing us to THINK remaining on a given path is going smoothly but presenting a new challenge to blindside us.
These concepts; therefore are related to being as it were proactive over our soul and minds. Renewing our minds helps the stability of our soul; and we cannot effectively do this when our souls are being captivated by distracting or evil thoughts.
We cannot short circuit the project through impatience in order to speed up the process; and we need to trust that God has uniquely gifted us for our calling and that He will at the right time send us forth into the works He has predestined for us.
It is good to have investments and time in believers who disciple us and we can in turn disciple.
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