“THE MIND OF THE TRANSFORMED THINKER”

Dr. Dennis Deese - www.fantheflame.org

ROMANS 12:1-3

“No man who thinks in terms of catching mice will ever catch lions.”

“If we could really and fully perceive the infinite greatness of the destiny offered us, it would completely transform our lives. Every thought and action would be affected. We would be entirely different creatures from the common world around us, instead of being so sadly like them in so many ways.” G.V. Growcott

If you want to change the way you act, you must first change how you think.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (to have the qualities that would mark us as God’s own special people) people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Deuteronomy 7:6 For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that [are] upon the face of the earth.

“Let the mind of the master be the master of your mind. “

Transformation is simply an exchange of life. It means we are showing forth and manifesting Christ's Life instead of our own.

Romans 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

The Bible has a lot to say about our thought life. Maybe, there is nothing more challenging than the renewing of our mind as the struggle of the old nature and the new nature continually transpires.

The psalmist said in Psalms 19:14, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

The Bible gives us verses and exhortations that pertain to:

A WARNING - Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.

AN EXAMPLE - Psalms 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

A PROMISE - 1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

This word "beseech" is a strong word. It carries the sense of great urgency -- intense pleading and persuasion.

If we are going to take heed to God’s Word, then we’d better analyze the mind of the transformed thinker in order to become a transformed thinker. How does the Bible describe the mind of the transformed thinker? It has a word about:

I.        THEIR PERCEPTION 12:2 “be not conformed”

The transformed thinker becomes aware of three things that lead to his or her change:

          A.       The Command that is given 12:2 “be not”

          B.       The Change that is needed 12:2 “be transformed”

          C.       The Counsel that is provided 12:2 “by the renewing of your mind”

II.       THEIR PURPOSE 12:2 “the you may prove what is”

          A.       Commitment 12:1 "a living sacrifice”

          B.       Service 12:1 “your reasonable service”

          C.       Affirmation 12:2 “that you may prove”

1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

                     1.       The authenticity of salvation

                     2.       The acceptable will of God

III.      THEIR PRACTICE 12:2 “be transformed”

Their practice is one of change in:

          A.       Behavior

That is reflected in:

                     1.       Holiness 12:1 “holy”

                     2.       Humility

Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

                                Matthew 20:27-28 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Luke 22:27 For whether [is] greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? [is] not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

                     3.       Hope

Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Deuteronomy 32:29 O that they were wise, [that] they understood this, [that] they would consider their latter end!

          B.       Values

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.