TRANSFORMATION OF THE MINDSET.

The mind of a human being.

What is Transformation?

To become different. : To make (someone or something) different. : To become something else.

To make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.

To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform

           

What is Mindset?

Mindsets are beliefs—beliefs about yourself and your most basic qualities. Think about your intelligence, your talents and your personality.

Mindset is a set of ideas and attitudes that shape the way someone thinks about themselves and the world. Someone’s mindset will determine the way they behave, their outlook on life and their attitude towards everything that’s going on around them.

Here are some additional definitions to help us understand what Mindset is.

-          A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations. (The Free Dictionary)

-          A mental inclination, tendency, or habit. (Merriam-Webster.com – Medical Dictionary)

-          A person’s usual attitude or mental state is his or her mindset. (Vocabulary.com)

-          A person’s way of thinking and their opinions. (Cambridge Dictionary)

-          An attitude, disposition, or mood. (Dictionary.com)

-          The ideas and attitudes with which a person approaches a situation, esp when these are seen as being difficult to alter. (World English Dictionary.)

-          The established set of attitudes held by someone. (Oxford Dictionary)

Therefore, Change of mindset is the change/renewal of our fixed mental attitude, usual habit, the way of thinking, mood, ideas and approaches towards situations.

Why do we need to Change/Transform our Minds?

Rom 12:2 ‘’Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.’’

We need to change our mindset because:

·         Thoughts control my life:

If you don’t think it, you don’t do it.  Our lives are not shaped by our feelings but by our thoughts and beliefs.

Proverbs 4:23 ‘’Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.’’

·         Our mind is the Battleground for Sin:

All Temptations take place in our minds. It is in our minds that we battle with temptation. If we manage our mind we Temptations and therefore manage sin.

Romans 7:22-23  For in my inner self I joyfully agree with God’s law. 23 But I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body.

·         Our mind is the key to Peace, Happiness and Life.

Unmanaged mind leads to tension, tranquility, pressure, conflict and chaos. But a managed mind leads to peace, Joy, order, life and happiness.

Romans 8:6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God

Philippians 1:9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment,

The Three CHOICES to make every day to CHANGE our MIND.

Feed our mind with Truth.

Free our mind from Destructive Thoughts.

Focus our mind on the Right Things.

1.     Feed our mind with Truth.

Good nutrition leads to a healthy life. What you feed your mind is exactly what it believes and does.

Matthew 4:4 But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

We should have the best information to make the best decisions and live the best life. The best information is the word of God. We should feed from the word of God all the time and memorize the word of God by meditating upon it day and night.

Psalms 1:1-3 How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Psalms 119:147 I rise before dawn and cry out for help; I put my hope in Your word.

Psalms 119:97 How I love Your instruction! It is my meditation all day long.

Psalms 16:7 ​​​​​​​I will praise the LORD who guides me; ​​​​​​yes, during the night I reflect and learn.

Psalms 119:95 ​​​​​​​The wicked prepare to kill me, ​​​​​​yet I concentrate on your rules.

2.     Free our mind from Destructive Thoughts.

We are prisoners of our thoughts and we need to deliver/free our thoughts. Some of us may have been told that we are stupid but it’s happening because we believed in our minds.

The forces that make us NOT to do all the Great and Good Things that we plan to do:

(i)              My old nature:

We knowingly take part in self-defeating behaviors by doing the very things that we know we should not do.

Romans 7:23-24 But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit.

(ii)               Satan :

Satan wants to control our mind always. Satan cannot control our minds but he always tries to do so. He can’t make us do anything but he uses other objects, ideas and people to change your thoughts or thinking. Therefore do not believe everything you think. When the devil gives you a thought we call it TEMPTATION but a thought from God is called INSPIRATION.

2Corinthians 2:11 so that we may not be exploited by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes).

(iii)             The World’s Value System (World Values):

The values of the world are advocated for by promotions, movies, songs, Reality shows, books, media and Celebrities etc. No value of the World promotes Self Discipline.

1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world

The values of the world are not encouraging you to be better but the exact opposite. Behind every sin is a lie that we believe in. When we want to ponder, our minds want to wander - to go aimlessly, indirectly, or casually; meander.

2Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

A stronghold is a Spiritual lie that we believe. Like

-          I know better than God what makes make me happy.

-          God really doesn’t love me

-          All that matters is money, success, sex and power.

-          I’m never gonna forgive that person.

-          I should do whatever I want to do.

How Temptation Works.

Desire – Doubt – Deception – Disobedience and – Defeat.

James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. 15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.

(a)   Desire:

You can never be tested by/with what you don’t desire. Desire is internal. Temptations turns a routine desire into a runaway desire. The desire gets out of control and this leads doubt and then disaster.

(b)   Doubt:

You start doubting God’s word. You begin to doubt that God loves you and that HE knows best…. ‘’Did God really say…’’

(c)    Deception:

Satan replaces God’s truth (word) with a lie.

To be able to catch more fish it depends with the bait the fishermen use. The more shinny and attractive the bait the more the fish will be attracted to it. The devil uses the same principle.

What is the bait that the devil uses in your life?

1John 1:8 If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

(d)   Disobedience and Defeat:

What we flirt with we fall for.

We are free to make choices but we are not free from the consequences of our choices/sin.

The best time to win the battle against temptation is before it actually begins.

Psalms 119:112 ​​​​​​​I am determined to obey your statutes ​​​​​​at all times, to the very end.

John 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.’’

Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do what I tell you?’’

3.     Focus our mind on the Right things.

We need to make a choice to focus on the right Things. To focus on the word of God and to meditate upon it all the time. We should base our thinking and actions to the word of God.

Three things to make a difference in our mental Strength.

·         Think about Jesus:

Garbage in garbage out principle. As you think so you are. We can’t plant maize and want to reap beans.  So when we think about Jesus and focus on Him our ideas and our actions will be a reflection of Jesus and God’s word. The opposite is also true.

2Timothy 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel,

Proverbs 15:14 ​The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

Hebrews 12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

·         Think about others:

We need to teach our mind that it is not all about us but about God and others. We should love and care about others all the time.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

Galatians 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:37-39 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

·         Think about Eternity:

It is very important to think about our life outside this earth. We need to invest for our eternity in accordance to the word of God.

This will always keep us focused on the right things.

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 16:26 ‘’For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?’’

Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

1Corinthians 2:9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”