Christian Counseling Homework 12-20-2025
Christian Counseling Homework • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Renewing the Mind
Renewing the Mind
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Attitudes of mind that need to be renewed
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Calls for Renewal
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Attitudes of a renewed mind
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.
10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
12 But, O Lord of hosts, that triest the righteous, And seest the reins and the heart, Let me see thy vengeance on them: For unto thee have I opened my cause.
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
God knows our every thought
10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
12 But, O Lord of hosts, that triest the righteous, And seest the reins and the heart, Let me see thy vengeance on them: For unto thee have I opened my cause.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Initial and continual renewal of the mind
Initial renewal
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Continual renewal of the mind
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
The thoughts and attitudes of the mind serve as the conduits which allow for the mobilization of Godly behavior by divine energizing.
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
How can a mind be renewed to develop Godly “established attitudes”?
Established attitudes reformed to coincide with God’s attitudes.
Consistent with His character : purity, righteousness, love, joy
Made new again
A. Greek anakainoo : ana = again ; kainos = new
B. Greek ananeoo : ana = again ; neos = new
In accord with the ....
newness of life in Jesus Christ
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
newness of the Spirit
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
new covenant
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
new and living way
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
new creature
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
new man
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Basis of Godly “established attitudes” is God’s revelation of Himself
Natural revelation
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night sheweth knowledge.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Incarnational revelation
22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Biblical revelation
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Personal revelation
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Requires personal discipline to renew Godly established attitudes.
7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
A “mind-set” settled on God and His activity
A “steadfast mind” on the things of God.
3 Commit thy works unto the Lord, And thy thoughts shall be established.
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.
A “mind-set” that spontaneously thinks of God and His activity
“Yes , Lord”
temptation
worship
Practical necessity of “renewing of mind” for Godly behavior
Change in form of thinking and behavior (transformation) comes as an indirect result of renewal of mind.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2. Cannot reverse: External nonconformity does not lead to behavioral transformation.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
3. Based on spiritual regeneration and becoming a “new man” in Christ, the Christian has the indwelling spiritual sufficiency to engage in the renewing of the mind that allows for divine empowered Christian behavior.
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Fifteen Commands about the Body
Yield it to God
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
2. Make it a living sacrifice
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
3. Make it holy
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
4. Make it accepted of God
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
5. Make it full of light
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
6. Reckon it dead to sin
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
7. Reckon it alive to God
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
8. Refuse its slavery to sin
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
9. Mortify its deeds
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
10. Refuse to defile it
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
11. Make it fit temple of Holy Spirit
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
12. Make it free from fornication and only for the Lord
13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
13. Glorify God in it
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
14. Keep it in control
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
15. Put off its sins
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Renewing the Mind
The process of transformation continues as we renew the mind . Unless there is a renewing of the mind, any change in our life will be superficial.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Renewing the mind is made possible by where we set our minds
a. setting our minds on things above
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
b. setting our minds on the things of the Spirit
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
c. feeding our minds with the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, etc.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
With our minds “renewed” we can experience a true transformation.
a. by putting off the old man and putting on the new man
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
b. By living according to the Spirit
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
The process of transformation is really quite simple.
a. Set your minds on things above in order to renew your mind
Meditate and contemplate on God and His Word
Keep your mind in communication with God via prayer
Involve your mind in spiritual worship via frequent assembly with others
Center your mind on Jesus and your mind will gradually be renewed.
b. With renewed minds , it becomes possible to put off the old, and put on the new.
To put off the old man with its sins
To put on the new man patterned after the example of Christ.
Modern studies in self improvement confirm this truth.
a. We become what we think
b. We can change attitudes and behaviors by filling our minds with positive mental images.
In our efforts, we are not alone; God is at work with us.
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
What hinders many Christians
If it is so easy, why do many Christians remain “caterpillars”?
Were they not regenerated upon acceptance of Christ as their Lord and Savior before their baptism?
Yes.
Don’t they have the promise of God’s help?
Yes.
So what is the problem?
The problem is likely a failure to renew the mind. Answer these examples for yourself.
Can a mind be renewed on a starvation diet? (Irregular / no Bible study)
Can a mind be renewed on a junk food diet? (trashy movies and/or novels)
Why many Christians do not experience transformation.....
They become what they think, and much of what they think upon is not becoming Christ like.
They spend more time wanting and watching things of the world and Satan than reading things of the Spirit.
Our attitudes and behaviors is a reflection of what goes into our minds.
Focus
We have been called to be “transformed” into the image of Christ
a. We have all the motivation we need (God’s mercy and Christ’s love)
b. We must allow our minds to be renewed by setting them on things above.
Are we submitting to “brain surgery” by the Great Physician?
2. God wants to give us a complete makeover
a. He has provided the means (Jesus’ blood) to remove the deformity of sin.
b. He provides the tools (Bible study, prayer, fellowship) to fashion a new person.
Are we making good use of God’s mercy?
In light of God’s wonderful grace, this is our “reasonable” service.
