Mindset

Acts 1:14 - All these were continually devoting themselves with one mind to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

This paints a picture of dedication. There is attachment and allegiance to and a great affection toward prayer. Our time has to be managed to prioritize this type of lifestyle. This type of devotion requires critical thinking regarding our resources.
Materials and assets require our devotion as well. Money needs managing, houses, cars and equipment need maintenance and repairs. The greater and more complex our assets, the greater the tension exists between devotion to things vs our devotion to God and prayer.

How do we GIVE ourselves to 2 Kingdoms?

There is a real giving away of one's self in the sense that you become committed and steadfast. There is no place for indifference.

They were also unanimous and united in purpose. Their souls were as ONE and their minds were in harmony.

Acts 2:1 - When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

Acts 2:44 - And all the believers were together and had all things in common. * To share in this way requires a deep unity of purpose.

Acts 4:32 - Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

1 Heart - 1 Soul - Common Property?

All things being in common was the fruit of being one in soul. To simply read this is one thing, to embrace the miracle of this type of agape love and the life it produces is another entirely.
Until we understand what it means to believe (walk in supernatural faith) in unity, and are transformed, 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.

Acts 15:25 - it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul

Singleness of mind leads to new life

Having become is the Greek word ginomai which means come into existence or come to pass. Setting our minds and blocking out intrusive thoughts (those contrary to “what seems good”) is a process. We don’t set our minds and immediately arrive. It’s a lifestyle and requires us to be engaged.

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.

Set is the Greek word phroneo. It means to fix your mind on a specific thing. It has your TOTAL interest. With this type of singular mindset there is no room for inviting opinion and entertaining contrasting schools of thought. The second we do that we begin to “become” fragmented.
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.

No divisions - Really?!

STOP and consider how this sounds! These are strong statements and difficult things he is asking of them. This is impossible in our own strength. The lifestyle of “setting our minds” is absolutely necessary. Do you see this type of fruit among the body of believers today?

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. We follow our natural lusts & appetites w/o restraint. 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?

The mind AND the spirit

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.

2 Corinthians 11:3 - But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his trickery, your minds will be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Sincere & pure devotion

The enemy and ways of the world are deceiving and cunning. When we “become” enamored and swept away by this, our mind is set more and more upon this, becomes corrupt and decayed from its intended state.
Sincere and pure devotion is talking about singleness of mind and purity and purpose. It means we are undistracted in our loyalty to Him, we have a pure and undivided affection toward Him and we are determined and brave in our pursuit of Him.

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 (occupied with), in the futility of their minds, being darkened (obscured) 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 (to cast or put away) 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.

Casting once or continually?

Here, casting our cares is meant to be a one time act. With humility and trust, we lay our past, present and future anxieties, weights, worries, concerns, hurts, etc… at His feet. They will continue to try and come upon us and weigh us down. We must walk in an ongoing reminder with God that we have layed these down. We are to continually renew our mind with His promises and SET OUR MINDS with a genuine and unwavering belief upon His truth that He is with us and fighting for us. Remain, remain, remain in Him / in this process.

Philippians 2:2-5 - fulfill my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind (humility) consider one another as more important than yourselves. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves (opinion of mind) which was also in Christ Jesus

As we set our minds upon Him and live with singleness of mind toward His ways we become transformed and are increasingly able to live in This Way.

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 (urgent requests) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known (declare) to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

"WHOLE" Devotion

Don’t become fragmented and uneasy in our minds. Be devoted to prayer (attachment, allegiance, affection). In everything we are to have this nature, this character. This comes from setting our minds upon Him – “singleness.”
As we live with this devotion, thankfulness is an ongoing fruit. As we have and declare our requests, God’s peace is released to “watch & protect” our thoughts, feelings and intellect.
“Everything” by prayer, pleading and thanksgiving. Yes, this means all that we do but it also emphasizes the WHOLE of [prayer-pleading-thanksgiving] as a complete way of engaging with God. Us bringing our whole to Him and the whole of Him loving and protecting us. A beautiful picture of full surrender and trust.

Philippians 4:8,9 - Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think (take an inventory) about these things. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice (perform repeatedly & habitually) these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

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

Romans 1:28 -And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge (closely joined with) God, God gave them up to a depraved (worthless – withering) mind, to do those things that are not proper

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.

A mind of flesh or spirit?

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 (make it new and fresh), that you may prove (test, discern, examine) 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.

Setting vs Shifting

Setting our minds

The scripture is clear in that we are to set our minds on things above.

Why? That is a great question to ask.

What is the purpose or reason you want to do this?
How important is this reason?

Is this reason of utmost importance? If so, how is it shaping your:

Priorities
Decisions
Actions in daily life

How does this reason affect your focus?

Do you concentrate, give much attention to, “this reason?”
Do you find, over time, you’re able to maintain concentration toward this reason?

Shifting our mindset

Based upon the above thoughts there is a Great Deal of commitment and investment put into setting our minds upon what is important.

Throughout life, we mature, face challenges, gain new experiences and insights.

BIG Question: If “mind setting” is such an investment then how does one navigate “mind shifting” without experiencing great stress and anxiety?

Being pushed out of our comfort zones is a natural part of healthy growth.
Setting our mind is related to a lifestyle of renewing our mind.
When we rest in and allow God to bring the transformation (shifts in mindset) there is peace within the adjustment.