New Man, New Mind

Introduction

Having discussed the “new man”, we must go further into his nature.]

The first thing to look at is his MIND.

Our Text

Ephesians 4:21–24 NASB95

if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Background

Paul encourages a new way of living not to contrast it with ascetic and dogmatic teachings like he did in Colossians.

He does so from the standpoint of having informed them of the mysteries in Christ. God making a new man by bridging the gap between Jew and Gentile.

This is a knowledge that he wants them to have and to act on.

This teaching is laid out between chapters 1-3, whilst the application begins in chap. 4.

The Former Walk

Ephesians 4:17–19 NASB95

So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

“futility” - emptiness

Even if it’s relevant to this life when compared to the eternal, it’s fruitless Eccl. 1:17

Their understanding was darkened

“But you did not learn Christ in this way” v. 20

Definition of Key Terms

Renewed

This word is derived from a compound Greek word, “ananeoo”

This word carries the idea of restoring, renovating, and reforming. It could mean to “be/become reestablished in a like-new and often improved manner”

This then means, that whatever goes through this renewal must be improved. Refashioned in a better way.

The Mind

The Lexham Theological Workbook describes the mind as, the faculty of thinking and the results thereof, a person’s way of thinking.

The Dictionary of Biblical Languages defines it as the psychological faculty of understanding, reasoning, and deciding.

The CDWG calls it seat of thought, feeling and will

The TDNT describes it as the “inner direction of their thought and will and the orientation of their moral consciousness”

SUMMARY: The place that seats/houses your WILL, INTELLECT & EMOTION.

The “Renewed Mind” then means:

A New Will

The things that drives my choices and decisions need to be different. The thing that stimulates my desires needs to be renewed.

Question to ask: What drives me to act?

A New Intellect (Understanding)

This is the information consumed that develops thought and concepts. From here you know things, you understand things. Eph 1:18

Question to ask: What are the things that my mind consumes?

A New Emotion

The application of this point is in understanding what is being suggested. There are things that stir our emotion and things that don’t.

Question to ask: Has anything changed?

Application/analogy

E.g. #1 The person who believes that a black cat brings bad luck

E.g. #2 The person who has a snake in their home

How Does This Happen?

You heard Him - Eph 4:21 Hear with the intent to accurately understand what someone is saying. Pay attention

You were taught (vs. 21) - To provide instructions (not just rules, but the “why’s”) ‘in Him’

You lay aside, this makes space for the renewing part

Encouragement

Where’s your mind right now?!

Is there something about it that needs to change?

Will you let God work on it?