Ephesians 4:17-24
17) This
I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other
Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18) Having
the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the
ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19) Who
being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all
uncleanness with greediness.
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.
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any
of us pride ourselves in what we know in the natural sense. Even if what we
feel we know gets us into trouble, we are too often unwilling to relinquish the
control we feel we have by using our own mind. We fear if we are not in
control, someone else is in control of us. It is difficult for most of us to
accept that God has a plan for everyone who receives salvation. Accepting this
fact necessitates a change of mind. If we refuse to change we can never learn
what is required of us to learn. Too many feel that because of what is
happening in their lives, they cannot change. Because of inherent problems,
however, it is necessary that we renew our mind.
One’s
fleshly life consists of vanity and vexation of spirit. Vanity, equal to
deceit, which is void and empty, does not “produce.” When we are given over to
vanity of mind, we are alienated from God and our understanding is darkened.
Therefore, living after the flesh, we cannot be productive for Christ. Anything
which does not lead to greater dedication to God is darkness. When we try to
accomplish something for ourselves, we cannot see the truth. So then, we must
renew our minds and not walk in darkness because we are saved to be spiritual,
and to operate in and accomplish those things pertaining to the Spirit of God.
The
very thing given to us by God to bring us freedom is also that which binds us
when we are bound to do what we think and what we feel—our mind. We are given
our mind to submit to God and to turn from sin. We must always remember we are
not that same old person operating in that same old way. The power of the Holy
Ghost elevates us above the level of the natural human being. We must, with our
renewed attitude, keep our minds elevated to spiritual things. Reminding
ourselves that no problem is too great for God to solve, when God tells us to
give something up, we will simply turn it loose.
We must always think of what God has done and “where He’s brought us from.” The minute we take our mind off of ourselves the load is lifted. When our mind is renewed, then and only then, do we realize life does not consist of what people say, life does not consist of what people try to do, life does not even consist of the problems we think we have. Life consists only of serving and praising God ... always.