Mindset

Acts 4:32 - Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.

• Until we understand what it means to believe (walk in supernatural faith) in unity, we will be a fragmented body.
• Picture what it means to feel, to reflect, to perceive and discern, to have the same integrity, conduct and morality all as one body.
• Wrap your thoughts around the idea that although you may possess things or that items may belong to you, that simply means they essentially came into their useful existence under your stewardship. Yes, it may have been under your labor or effort but at the core it’s not to be primarily for self or separate from being a blessing to others.
• Try to form the idea in your mind of living a Holy Spirit-led life with others that profess to walk according to the gospel of Jesus Christ and having ALL THINGS; material, spiritual, psychological aspects of living (heart & soul) in common. Not meaning we are all in the exact same growth spot but that the desire and joy to walk in the fullness of His indwelling life in each of us is present, alive and active.

Colossians 3:1,2 - If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

• We are to set our whole heart & mind on heavenly realities.
• Practically seek things that align with our new nature so that our efforts (striving, struggling) result in our inner impulses being generated from The Fountain of Life within. Visualize the “eyes of your heart” being enlightened (Eph 1:18) and being strengthened by the greatness of His mighty power at work toward us who believe.
• Imagine relationships & all living in light of righteousness, holiness, patience, devotion, love & self sacrifice. Dwell upon these things.
• As we do this, our practical efforts (resting according to the power of Christ within) and our desires will align and support one another.

1 Corinthians 1:10 - Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 - But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  But he who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is rightly discerned by no one.  For "WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD THAT HE MAY INSTRUCT HIM?" But we have the mind of Christ.

• Natural is carnal (wordly). We do what makes us feel good.  It’s a focus upon self and so the actions we take are “naturally” right and just and become our convictions.
• Spiritual is of God – not of self. We do what is just in the eyes of God, what is according to His word.  Our focus is upon His ways, character and promises.  It is upon eternal life with Him.  The actions we take are “in His Name” they are of His essence as we are not our own but we joyfully belong to and with Him!

1 Corinthians 14:15,16 - What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the mind / understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the mind / understanding.

Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed (ignorant outsider) say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?

• In Acts chapter 2, did they all sit around intellectually discussing what it looks like to speak, pray, rejoice in the Spirit? No, it was the Spirit GIVING them the ability to do it.
• At the outpouring of the Spirit, did they most likely have different interests and opinions about certain things? I think probably so, however, they were “in one accord” in that they loved God, loved one another and their minds were set upon Him.
• When we live from this truth, we will pray and sing with the mind AND with the spirit. They are very different and there is fruit and life in both.

2 Corinthians 5:13-16 - For if we have lost our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you.  For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose on their behalf.  Therefore from now on we recognize no one by the flesh; even though we have known Christ by the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

Ephesians 4:17-20 -So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, that you are to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their minds, 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 up to indecent behavior for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.  But you did not learn Christ in this way

Ephesians 4:21-24 - if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Isaiah 26:3 - The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.

James 1:6-8 - But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

• To be double-minded and unstable is to be fickle and wavering back and forth.
• Romans 4:20 says Abraham did not “waver” at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, being fully convinced that God would perform what was promised.

Luke 24:45 - And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

• This means to open thoroughly what had been closed, as if for the first time. Like the eyes of a new-born.

Mark 8:33 -But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

1 Peter 1:13 - Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest (set) your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

1 Peter 5:6,7 -Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your anxiety (distractions) on Him, because He cares about you.

Philippians 2:2-5 - fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus

Philippians 3:18,19 - For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

• These were occupied with earthly things: food, clothing, honor, comfort and pleasure. Things of eternal and heavenly substance were of little concern.

Philippians 4:6,7 -Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 139:23 - Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts

Romans 1:28 -And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting

Romans 7:22,23 - For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Romans 8:5-7 -For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

• To live according to the Spirit is to be occupied with the word of God, prayer, worship and Christian service.
• The mind of our flesh wants to be its own master. It rebels against the will & moral law of God.
• Flesh as master has no impulse to be subject to God but also has no power to do so.

Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

• Stop masquerading (putting on) in the clothing of this world. Don’t emulate it’s mannerisms, speech expressions, styles and habits.
• The world hates those that don’t conform to its culture, politics, art, music, religion, amusements, thought-patterns and lifestyles.

Mannerisms:  Suspicious, defensive, nervous, frustrated, confident, cooperative.

Speech Expressions:  “That was a stupid thing to do.”  “You can’t do anything right.”  “Why are you so lazy?”  “You’re a loser.”  “It’s all your fault.”

• Sarcastic speech has a “bite” to it. Satire uses irony and is a gentler way to make a point.  Sarcasm, at its core, is to insult or be hurtful.  Our words should be uplifting even if they’re uncomfortable.

Habits:  Confessing with our mouths and believing with our minds, the promises of the scripture that says who we are in Christ Jesus.  The world focuses on habits that ultimately promote self.  Positive affirmations such as,

• “I am strong and happy”
• “Today will be a good day”
• “Better days are on the way”
• You don’t find a happy life, you make it”
• When you’re positive, good things happen”
• “Be the change you want to see in the world.” (basically saying personal change = social change.)

As Christians, we are to confess scriptural promises.  False and empty expectations will cause us to spiral.  Practice and live with gratitude.  Find a seed of genuine gratitude and rejoice.  That seed will grow and lead us into the power and life of Christ Jesus. Genuine transformation will come over our lives.