The Christian and Self-Renewal How NOT to Think (2)

1
The Christian and Self-RenewalHow NOT to Think
(2)

• And do not be conformed to this world, but be
  transformed by the renewing of your mind
  Romans 122

2
Introduction

• Discussed the importance of having a good mindset
• Previously discussed pessimism
• Now, we look at some specific things that can
  influence us to the point of hindering our
  growth.
• Each must seek to place himself in the best
  possible frame of mind so he can succeed in His
  work!

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Letting Go of the Past

• We sometimes hinder proper thinking because we do
  not let go of the past.
• We dwell on past failures and bad experiences.
• This is known as living in the past.
• Unhealthy both physically and spiritually

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Letting Go of the Past

• Paul learned to forget the past and move on.
• Brethren, I do not count myself to have
  apprehended but one thing I do, forgetting those
  things which are behind and reaching forward to
  those things which are ahead, I press toward the
  goal for the prize of the upward call of God in
  Christ Jesus. Philippians 313,14

5
Letting Go of the Past

• Once we begin, its dangerous to keep looking
  back.
• But Jesus said to him, No one, having put his
  hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for
  the kingdom of God. Luke 962
• Past failures
• Past successes

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Letting Go of the Past

• You need to forgive yourself!
• Have you done wrong in the past?
• Have you done shameful things?
• Did you know better?
• Do you feel unworthy?
• Are there consequences that follow you?
• JOIN THE CROWD!

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Letting Go of the Past

• You need to forgive yourself!
• Heres a thoughtWE ARENT WORTHY! No one is.
• Gods forgiveness is not based on
  what we deserve.
• Christ came to save sinners.
• Romans 323
• 2 Timothy 112-15

8
Letting Go of the Past

• Let go of old hurts.
• Many have suffered wrongs done to themby others.
• It seems that some never get over itor they
  refuse to try.
• It causes them continual grief and a poor outlook
  on life and themselves.
• Often leads to their thinking they are worthless.

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Letting Go of the Past

• As Christians, we must LET GO!
• Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and
  evil speaking be put away from you, with all
  malice. Ephesians 431
• But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in
  your hearts, do not boast and lie against the
  truth. This wisdom does not descend from above,
  but is earthly, sensual, demonic. James
  314,15

10
Letting Go of the Past

• Forgive and forget just as you want God to
  forgive you!
• For if you forgive men their trespasses, your
  heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you
  do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will
  your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew
  614,15
• And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
  forgiving one another, just as God in Christ
  forgave you. Ephesians 432

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The Problem of Worry

• We must control needless worry.
• Many peoples minds are occupied by past,
  present and future worries!
• In any case, all worry causes stress, depression,
  and anxiety.
• It clouds our thinking and prevents us from
  having trust and hope.

12
The Problem of Worry

• Jesus taught us not to worry.
• Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your
  life, what you will eat or what you will drink
  nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not
  life more than food and the body more than
  clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they
  neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns yet
  your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of
  more value than they? Which of you by worrying
  can add one cubit to his stature? Matthew
  625-27

13
The Problem of Worry

• When we worry, we are
• Not seeking the kingdom first (NOW).
• Becoming overly concerned about things
  we cannot change.
• Not showing complete faith and trust in God.
• Not putting our faith into practice.
• Proverbs 1225
• Philippians 46,7

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What You Cannot Do

• Some look at Christianity in terms of what they
  can no longer do.
• They dwell on the things they have to give up.
• Old friends seek to get us to return to old
  habitsI cant do that anymore.
• Conviction
• Desire
• Disappointment

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What You Cannot Do

• Paul wondered why some brethren were returning to
  what they had left.
• But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you
  served those which by nature are not gods. But
  now after you have known God, or rather are known
  by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak
  and beggarly elements, to which you desire again
  to be in bondage? Galatians 48,9

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What You Cannot Do

• Used by Satan on Eve in the Garden of Eden.
• Then the serpent said to the woman, You will
  not surely die. For God knows that in the day you
  eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will
  be like God, knowing good and evil. Genesis
  34,5

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What You Cannot Do

• Understand, God does not restrict certain things
  to make us miserable.
• He does what is BEST for us.
• We may not understand all the implications and
  consequences associated with certain
  behaviorsbut God has His reasons.
• For if, after they have escaped the pollutions
  of the world through the knowledge of the Lord
  and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled
  in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for
  them than the beginning. 2 Peter 220

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Youre Fine Where You Are

• Refusing to face up to problems and sins because
  you know it will call for change.
• Many, for practical purposes, shut their eyes and
  ears to their own faults.
• Willfully dont study or pray--probing too deep
  may hurt them.
• If evil practices are uncovered, they must be
  stopped.
• Fair weather disciples will allow any excuse
  tokeep them from worshipping God.
• Such reasoning will never allow them to
  renew their minds.

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Youre Fine Where You Are

• We need to perform regular self-examination.
• Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the
  faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know
  yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? --unless
  indeed you are disqualified.
  2 Corinthians 135
• Testing our bodies.
• But I discipline my body and bring it into
  subjection, lest, when I have preached to others,
  I myself should become disqualified. 1
  Corinthians 927
• You have become estranged from Christ, you who
  attempt to be justified by law you have fallen
  from grace.Galatians 54

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Youre Fine Where You Are

• Others are afraid of change itself.
• Afraid of the unknown, theyre satisfied to stay
  where they are.
• Matthew 2524,25
• But how can growth take place?
• Hebrews 61
• We should be seeking for perfection.
• Matthew 548

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Youre Fine Where You Are

• We need to be careful about what we place in our
  minds.
• Improper thinking results from allowing ungodly
  things to enter our minds.
• We allow ungodly garbage into our lives.
• TV, computer, radio, movies,some books, etc.

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Youre Fine Where You Are

• We need to filter what goes into our minds.
• Impurities squeeze out what is good and pure.
• Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his
  clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals,
  and his feet not be seared? Proverbs 627,28