The Spiritual Discipline of Renewing Your Mind

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Title:  The Spiritual Discipline of Renewing Your Mind

Focus Statement:  

A renewed mind is concerned with those issues of life that are of lasting importance. By nature our thoughts tend to dwell on the ephemeral. But that which passes quickly is normally inconsequential. As Paul said in another place, “What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor 4:18). The mind renewed enables us to discern the will of God. Released from the control of the world around us, we can come to know what God has in mind for us. We will find that his will is “good, pleasing and perfect.” It is good because it brings about moral and spiritual growth. It is pleasing to God because it is an expression of his nature. It is perfect in that no one could possibly improve on what God desires to happen.

Function Statement:  

To renew your mind and rid yourself of the automatic negative thoughts in your life, Journal to break the strongholds the devil has build in your mind, and engage in breath praying scripture to put God’s truth deep in your heart.

Tweetable Phrase:  

Main Text:  Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Supporting Text:  John 3:20-21, John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, Philippians 4:6

Redemptive Closure (point to Jesus):  Colossians 3:1-4

Benediction:  Psalm 119:9-16

Questions to Review

Is the bottom line clear? Main point should be able to be said in a single sentence.

What’s the opening line? Not hello, start with a question or something to grab attention.

Is the transition from the introduction to main point clear?

What’s my main point? Make it short and memorable

Does it matter? Is the topic relevant to the congregation?

Where is the power in the text? What word or phrase highlights the tension?

How am I moving toward application?

What is my main to-do (application)? Be specific.

What does it matter? The WHY creates urgency.

How am I closing? Have a plan.

WELCOME

Good morning!!! My name is Ryan Hanson and I have the honor of serving here at The Light KC as the lead pastor. I’m so glad you’re here with us.

‌Welcome to those joining us online. We hope your doing well and hope to see you in person in the coming weeks.

And a special welcome to those joining us for the first time. We’re so glad you chose to be here.

ME/INTRO - Tension

Can I tell you a story about the two verses in the Bible that have been especially challenging for me?

I told you a little bit of my story previously. But for those that are new, when I was in 6th grade, my best friend from elementary school ended our friendship with a “dear john letter”. The next year, a kid on the hockey team thought it would be funny to “gaslight” me; pretend I didn’t exist for 2 months.

Whereas kids do dumb stuff and everyone has moments in their past that hurt, these shaped who I was.

I stopped being vulnerable. I deciding not to share anything about myself with others, so they had nothing to reject.

I adopted the “joke and evade” tactic of conversation. If someone was getting too personal, I would make a joke, get them to laugh and they’d forget what they asked about. We could move on with the conversation without me having to take the risk of sharing anything personal.

I also became very self-deprecating. Not wanting to be mean I didn’t want to make jokes about other people, so I quickly learned to make fun of myself. People would laugh, conversation would move past whatever topic I wanted to avoid, and nobody’s feelings would be hurt.

This strategy worked until I got my first job. I was at Trane, working as an engineer. My boss at the time had a wife that was a therapist. I guess my boss had told her about my self-deprecating humor because one day I got a whole bunch of pamphlets on my desk about “positive self talk”. It was a full intervention. He said he was concerned about my mental health, had spoken to his wife about it, and they really thought I needed to be nicer to myself.

I was unconcerned, but appreciated that they cared enough to say something.

As time went on, God started to convict me about my thought life. He used two verses.

The first verse is Romans 12:1–2 “1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The idea that the transformation that God seeks for us is started by first renewing our minds hit me hard. The idea that if my mind is not renewed I won’t be able to test and approve of God’s will for my life was quite concerning. I wanted to follow God and hear His will for my life, I just didn’t want to take any risks with others. Apparently those cannot both happen.

The second verse is 2 Corinthians 10:5 “5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Taking every thought captive sounds so easy, but turns out (at least for me) it is incredibly hard to actually do.

Taking every thought captive sounds like like sorting fish. Throw back the small, keep the big.

Yet, the reality of taking thoughts captive feels like this group of fisherman trying to find a good fish out of all the stuff they pulled up in the net.

[Video of Sorting Fish - no sound needed]

My mind is like this boat. And my thoughts are like these fish. There is a limitless amount of random thoughts that come into my mind all fighting for my attention. How do I find the one good thought I need to take captive in the sea of random consciousness?

Is this true for anyone else?

If you notice, they never did find a fish worth keeping. Their baskets are empty.

Sometimes that is how I feel. Too many thoughts to find one worth taking captive. Too many random thoughts to even know where to begin to renew my mind.

Needless to say, the intervention didn’t work. I continued to “joke and evade” my way out of situations that required more vulnerability than I was willing to give. I continued to be self-deprecating.

I was convinced it was the best way to live. Not risking being hurt, but not being completely isolated and alone all the time either.

WE - Tension

I hope that nobody here has had experiences like I had. I hope that you all have had fantastic friends you could be open, honest, and vulnerable with without any fear of being hurt.

BUT...I bet in one form or another, we all struggle to some degree with our thought life.

Maybe you:

Face unrelenting temptation that you don’t want to give in to, but can’t figure out how to be free of

Have believed a lie, that you have lived with for so long that you now consider it truth. I believed the lie that I wasn’t good enough to be liked, so I stopped letting people get to know me. Maybe you have accepted some lies about yourself as truth.

Have lost hope that God has a good plan for you life. You’re struggling right now, and can’t see a path forward that will improve your situation.

Maybe you have fallen victim to the trap of “shoulds”. You believe things “should” be a certain way and when they are not, your miserable.

I don’t know what you’re going through, but I came across something I think is really interesting that has helped me have hope.

I first want to just say...

The fact that God created us like He did is so amazing to me. The more I learn about the details of God’s design, the more I am in awe of the God we serve.

I learned this week about a part of the brain called the Anterior MidCingulate Cortex (aMCC). [Picture of aMCC] It is in the center of our brains per the picture here. It is the part of the brain responsible for our willpower. This is the part of the brain that allows us to choose to do things that we don’t want to do.

I can hear what you’re thinking. “So I am either hard wired to have a strong willpower and high tenacity, or I am wired to have no willpower and give up when things get tough.”

Not true

According to the research, the aMCC is something we can train. Every time we CHOOSE to do something we don’t want to do, the aMCC region in our brain actually gets bigger. And along with it’s increase in size, our willpower and tenacity increase proportionally.

BUT...every time we give into the temptation to only do what is easy, or give up when things get hard, the aMCC region gets smaller, along with our willpower and tenacity.

SO...when God says “transform your mind” and “take every thought captive” it is a literally possible to re-shape (or RENEW) your brain to allow you to CHOOSE to only act on the thoughts that honor God, and reject all other thoughts, independent of your personal feelings.

Today we’re going to talk about HOW we do that.

Today as we continue our series called “Planted” where we’re looking at the spiritual practices that can help us GROW DEEP ROOTS of FAITH, we’re going to talk about the spiritual practices associated with renewing your mind.

If you missed last week’s message on fasting, please feel free go to our website, TheLightKC.org, to catch up.

The first passage we’re going to look at will be in John 3, but like last week, we’ll be looking at quite a few scriptures today.

We’ll have the scripture on the screen, but if you have a Bible with you, or Bible app on your phone, I’d encourage you to turn to the passage and follow along. There is nothing that replaces having God’s word in your hand.

AND...if you don’t have a Bible, we have Bibles under the seats. If you don’t have a bible and would like one, please come see me after the service and I’ll get you one you can keep.

Lets dive in.

GOD - Text

From a scientific perspective, all the random thoughts, temptations, doubts, fears, basically all the thoughts that we want to take captive are called

A.N.T.S.

A.N.T.S.

Automatic Negative ThoughtS

The spiritual practice associated with renewing our minds and getting rid of these ANTS is “JOURNALING”.

Now if you’re not someone who has journaled in the past, I want to put your mind at ease. Journaling is not the same as keeping a diary. It is not just documenting the events of the day.

Journaling is the intentional process of putting your thoughts, feeling, and experiences into words so you can prayerfully reflect on them, hear the whispers of the Holy Spirit speak into them, and experience spiritual growth.

There are 5 steps to journaling your way through the elimination of the ANTS (Automatic Negative ThoughtS) in your life.

1. Describe the ANT

The 1st step in renewing your mind is to describe the A.N.T.

In detail, write down everything you can about the negative thought you are having.

John 3:20–21 “20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

The more detail you can describe about the thought, temptation, doubt, fear, lie you are thinking the more of it you can bring into the light, for God to shine His light on and expose for what it is.

Lies flourish in the dark, only the truth can survive being brought into the light.

And by writing down your thought, you are bringing it into the light.

2. How does it make you feel?

After you’ve written down the what your A.N.T. is, the 2nd step is to write down how it makes you feel.

You brain has hard wired with what neuroscientists call “protectors”. These are the generalizations that you have come to believe to keep you from repeating past mistakes. They signal fear, danger, tell you that you can’t do something, or tell you the risk is too high to try.

John 10:10 “10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

These protectors are the thieves that come to steal your chance at growing spiritually by keeping you from thinking correctly and doing what God wants you to do.

We need to shut down these protectors by being honest about how they make us feel and confronting the fears that they expose.

3. Are you 100% sure it is true?

Once we’ve described our A.N.T.S. and described how these negative thoughts make us feel, the 3rd step is that we need to ask ourselves the questions, “is the thought 100% TRUE?”

From my experience, the answer is always “no”, we cannot be 100% sure of the future, or know with 100% certainty how God will choose to act.

2 Corinthians 10:4–6 “4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.”

This is the time that we confront the lies that we are believing; the strongholds the Devil has established within our minds.

Because...this is the devil’s plan. The devil wants us to believe the lies that he has planted, have these lies get so deep into our thinking that they become strongholds that keep us so afraid that we refuse to act because we are so worried that the lie he has told us will come true.

By Journaling, in detail about the thoughts we have, we can slow ourselves down enough to take these thoughts captive, and free ourselves from the incorrect thinking. We can demolish the strongholds and keep the Devil from getting his claws into us.

Jesus wants to set us free. Jesus wants us to be free from these negative thoughts.

4. How would you feel if you did not have that thought?

And that’s the next step. Once we’ve identified the lie that is holding us back, we need to allow Christ to free us from worrying about it, and trust in faith that where He is leading us is good.

Philippians 4:6 NLT

6 Don’t worry about anything

To remove the worry, the 4th step is to journal about how you’d feel if you didn’t have that A.N.T. in your life.

Your circumstance may not change, but removing the negative thought will change the condition of your heart, free you to have a healthier reaction, and give you a confident peace about whatever situation you’re in.

5. Describe the opposite of that thought? (God’s truth)

The last step in this journaling process is to write down, in as much detail as you can, the opposite of the negative thought you’re struggling with.

It is time to speak God’s truth into the situation.

Remember Philippians 4:6. If we read the entire verse...

Philippians 4:6–7 NLT

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

...we get rid of worry though prayer.

Beyond Journaling, a great spiritual practice to get the truth of God into your heart is the BREATH PRAYER.

A breath prayer is where you take a bible verse that contains a truth of God, you say 1/2 of it while breathing in, and the 2nd half while breathing out.

Your repeat this short prayer throughout the day, keeping God’s truth at the front of your mind, pushing the lies of the devil out of your head.

Here are a few sample breath prayers.

Spiritual Practice of Breath Prayer

Lord, renew my mind - Romans 12:2

Lord, demolish strongholds, take captive every thoughts - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Shepherd, guide me – Psalm 23:1

Healer, restore me – Jeremiah 30:17

God, create in me a clean heart – Psalm 51:10

God, you are my refuge and fortress, I trust in you – Psalm 91:2

I am yours, save me – Psalm 119:94

Prince of Peace, fill me – Isaiah 9:6

Jesus, let your light shine through me – Matthew 5:16

Light of the World, illuminate my path – John 8:12

The peace of Christ, rules my heart – Colossians 3:15

YOU - Takeaway

I don’t know what kinds of thoughts you wrestle with.

I know that journaling and breath prayers have helped me in the past to break the strongholds of the devils lies in my life and renew my mind, taking thoughts captive, and aligning my thoughts with the truths of God.

That is my prayer for all of us today; that we can renew our minds removing every lie from the devil and replacing them with the truth of God.

What lies do you currently believe?

How are these lies holding you back from being everything God created you to be?

What truths does God have for you?

Will you do the work of Journaling and Breath Prayer this week to work thought the A.N.T.S. in your life?

WE / JESUS - Redemptive Close - Call to Action

I want to end by going back to Romans 12:1-2

Romans 12:1–2 NIV

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The Greek word for Transformation is METAMORPHOSIS. The same process a seed goes through to become a plant.

[seed life cycle picture]

Or a caterpillar goes through to become a butterfly.

[butterfly life cycle picture]

God has a plan for each and every one of us.

But to be transformed into what God has created us to be, the old version of us needs to die, just like the seed or caterpillar. We need to renew our minds, identify the lies and demolish the strongholds the devil has tricked us into believing.

We need to do the work of journaling and praying the truth of God until it rests so deep in us that we believe it.

Colossians 3:1–4 NIV

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

What do you need to die to this week to renew your mind and give the space to Holy Spirit to start the Sanctifying work of transforming you into who you were created to be?

PRAYER 

Will you join me in prayer...

SONG 

As we enter into our final song, I want to open the steps up front as an altar to anyone who needs God this week. The steps are open for you to pray to the God who is with you, who loves you, you wants to give you His peace.

‌

You may feel a hand on your shoulder as I or one of the elders join you in prayer.

BENEDICTION 

Psalm 119:9–16 NIV

9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 12 Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. 13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

This week...let’s renew our minds by identifying the lies that the devil has tricked us into believing (those automatic negative thoughts) through the spiritual practice of journaling, identify the truth of God and hide it deep in our heart through the spiritual practice of breath prayer. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to transform us one step closer into who we were created to be.

Quick reminder...

Apache ES Running Club Race this Wednesday at 5 PM at Shawnee Mission West HS Track

Ladies Garden Party next Saturday at 11 AM - bring friends, family, flowers, and finger food

Hot One’s Questions

If you’re new, please stop by our info desk, or see me. We’d love to say “hi” and get you know you a bit better.

I hope you have a great week.

Go in peace.

You are dismissed.

DISCIPLESHIP QUESTIONS (download into APP)

How can journaling specifically help you identify and challenge Automatic Negative Thoughts (A.N.T.S.) in your life?

In what ways do you struggle to take your thoughts captive and align them with God's truth?

What personal lies have you believed about yourself that hinder your spiritual growth?

How might engaging in breath prayers provide peace amid your struggles with negative thoughts?

What steps can you take this week to actively renew your mind and confront lies you have accepted as truth?

What challenges do you face when trying to shift your focus from negative thoughts to God's truth?

Can you think of a time when you successfully took a negative thought captive? How did it change your situation?

How can you apply the concept of journaling to express your feelings and thoughts more honestly?

What Bible verse do you think would best help you counter any negative thoughts you currently struggle with?

In a moment of pressure or temptation, how can breath prayers remind you to stay focused on God?