Loving Truth - Mind Renewal From my first assignment of assembling a child’s Christmas present, I have gained a great appreciation for the manual, something much more dependable than just how it seems like it should go together. When the whole thing appears to be done and you find out that a critical part got left out, having to disassemble to correct the error alters how the next project is performed. Distrust for how things seem to go together and complete dependence on the step-by-step instructions makes for a much quicker and accurate assembly. It’s amazing, though. Time and again there is still this strong urge to just quickly move on what seems to be right that if followed usually just reinforces the concept of using the manual. Getting the right approach to every choice and action in life is critical for safety, peace, and provision. From driving to career to companion choices, just going with what seems to be right can have a devastating impact on all areas of life. In order to ensure that the steps taken are the right ones, it is most necessary to utilize the manual provided for us by the One who made us. As His words are the source for thoughts that occupy the heart, there is an opportunity to be set free in the knowledge of the truth. Notes Choices made by how things appear. Joshua 24:15 (NIV) 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Opposing God produces delusions. Isaiah 66:4 (NKJV) 4 So will I choose their delusions, And bring their fears on them; Because, when I called, no one answered, When I spoke they did not hear; But they did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight." Though obvious lie – still believed. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NKJV) 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Determining the source by the Spirit. Malachi 3:18 (NKJV) 18 Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him. From the discipline of Jesus’ word – truth and freedom. John 8:31-32 (NKJV) 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Conformed vs Transformed Romans 12:2 (NKJV) 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. Who you really are is how you perceive truth inside. Proverbs 23:6-7 (NKJV) 6 Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies; 7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you. Faith comes alive with understanding. Philemon 1:6 (NLT) 6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Discovery of God’s goodness enables lie-defying trust. Psalms 34:8 (NKJV) 8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! 2 Peter 1:4 (NLT) 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. Expectation fixated on the Word – forward gaze established on discovered truth. Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV) 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Renewed mind – motivated by hope over despair, promise over demise. 1 Peter 1:13 (NLT) 13 So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. Overview: Choices are made based upon how things seem. Misperceived truth is perilous. Need to know the legitimacy of the source in order to perceive truth. From God is provision of truth that requires love. Process of loving truth – mind renewal. Lies confine, while truth liberates. How you think is who you are. From in Christ promises – reliable truth source. Embrace of truth in belief transforms hope’s actions. Prayer: “As I respond to the truth of Your love by drawing close to You now, remove from me any misperceptions of truth. Renew my mind to be transformed from the world’s fear-based lies to the hope-driven freedom in Your truth. Let the mind represented in Your Word reside inside and clearly represent this new creation You’ve made me to be in Christ.” Declarations: In Christ I have been given the source of truth that can never bend to any situation and remains the same forever. My heart lovingly embraces Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life and is ready to respond in faith to every discovery of His promises. I am no longer defined by the fears and deceptions of the world, but have taken on the identity God’s thoughts have formed in my heart. How I choose to think and act (trust) is based alone upon the reliable truth in God’s Word and hope from its promises. As I hold fast to the declarations of God’s truth in the face of any difficulty, my mind is continually renewed and liberated from lies to newness of life.