In Order To Change, I Need To Start with My Thinking

In review of Ephesians 4:23 it says, “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes” (Ephesians 4:23 NLT).

Today’s verse comes from Ephesians 4:22-24 which says to throw off my old sinful nature and former way of life, which had been corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew my thoughts and attitudes. Put on my new nature, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.

This is a reminder that my old way of life before I believed in Christ is completely in the past. I need to discard it and put it behind me. I shouldn't allow myself to driven by desire and impulse. I must put on my new nature, head in a new direction, and have a new way of thinking that the Holy Spirit provides.

Change in my life will require new thinking. In order to change, I must learn the truth and make wise and good choices, but also change the way I think.

The way I think determines the way I feel, and the way I feel determines the way I act. If you want to change the way I act, start by changing the way I think. In addition, if I want to change the way I feel, start with the way I think.

I’ll never be able to fight my way into a feeling. I must change the way I think about something. That in turn will change the way I feel, which will then change the way I act. The Bible says, “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes” (Ephesians 4:23 NLT).

The battle for sin, the battle to deal with those defects in my life that I don’t like, starts in my mind. If you want to change anything in my behavior or anything in my emotions, I need to start with my thoughts and attitudes.

The renewal of my mind is related to the word “repentance.” Repentance isn’t always something bad, something I don’t really want to do, or something painful. Repentance is about more than changing my behavior. It is about changing my mind and learning to think differently. “Repent” simply means to make a mental U-turn.

I turn from guilt to forgiveness, from frustration to freedom, from darkness to light, from hatred and bitterness to love.

Start with my mind, and change the way I think about my relationships, the economy, the world, and my past, present, and future. Changing the way I think will then affect my emotions and my behavior.

Bottom Line:

Let the Spirit change your way of thinking

What this means to me:

My attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better, led by the Holy Spirit.

In summary, I need to get rid of my old ways of thinking and let the Spirit renew my thoughts and attitudes. Change the way I think, for it will determine the way I feel and the way I feel will determine the way I act. Make a mental u-turn about the way I see things. Filter everything through the what God and the Holy Spirit tell me.

This morning Father I pray for your guidance and assistance in helping me see things differently. Let me see things the way you do. Allow your ways to be foremost in my mind. I also pray for your wisdom and guidance in handling what comes my way today. Help me to work with and respond rightly to those around me. Help me in my leadership of those who take direction from me. In your Son Jesus name I pray, amen!