Freedom of the Mind

John 8:31–41 NLT

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. 38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.” 39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared. “No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. 40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real father.” They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.”

1. A slave no more

Juneteenth informed slaves that they were set free

Acts 15:23-29 “23 With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.”

This letter informs the believers that they are free

Staying free is a process not a destination

You have to decide daily that you are free

Phil 2:12 “12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,”

Remind yourself that you are saved

Live like one who belongs to the light

1 Thess 5:8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

Grow in your salvation, 1 Pet 2:2 “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,”

2. The mind is the door to the future

Prov 4:23, NCV “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.

What is the heart? The heart is the soul or mind of man. It is the foundation of our thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, and endeavors.

Our heart is the door of our thoughts.

Our heart is where our values and standards are stored that control what we think. We can’t blame it on anyone or anything else.

Matt. 12:35 “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. “

WE ARE THE DOORKEEPERS OF OUR HEARTS AND EVERY THOUGHT THAT STAYS IN AND SETS US FREE OR HOLDS US IN BONDAGE IS OUR CHOICE.

TRUTHS ABOUT OUR THOUGHT LIFE

1. OUR THOUGHTS DIRECT OUR FUTURE.

Proverbs 23:7 - “For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is.”

James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.

3. Don’t believe everything you think

Set your mind free from destructive thoughts

Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ

OUR THOUGHTS ARE A BATTLEFIELD THAT DECIDES WHETHER GOOD OR EVIL PREVAILS IN OUR LIVES. 2 Cor.10:3-5 -“…bringing every thought captive….”

IF OUR THOUGHT LIFE ISN’T SUBMITTED TO GOD, IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT ELSE IS.

EVERY DAY, SATAN IS TRYING TO GAIN ACCESS OR KEEP ACCESS INTO OUR MINDS THROUGH THE MEDIA, FRIENDS, INNER THOUGHTS AND OTHER MEANS OF DECEPTION.

Why do I do the things I don’t want to do and things I do want to do, those I don’t do

Your flesh (old nature) is warring against you

Satan is the enemy of our mind

He entices you

He tempts you

He can’t make you do anything

4. You need a healthy mental diet

OUR THOUGHTS DETERMINE HOW AND IF WE MATURE AS BELIEVERS

You choose your diet, Rom 8:5-8 “5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.”

Change your thought process

Change your focus in thought

Phil 4:8 “8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks

What goes in you will come out

5. The Word of God sets and keeps the mind free

His Word is our guide, Ps 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

His Word guards us, Ps 119:11 “11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

His Word is our weapon, Heb 4:12 “12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”