RENEWING YOUR MIND

I gave the edification for the very first time during cell group yesterday. It was exhilarating and fulfilling. Edification also means preaching the word. In literal terms, it is basically edifying someone through the use of biblical principles and teachings.

I spent the night before crafting out the message from scratch. It was like making curry from the raw ingredients as opposed to ready-made ones you buy from the supermarkets. Hence, there was a sense of self-satisfaction and also a greater sense of conviction as I gave the word. The message was about the renewing of the mind as based on Romans 12:1-2. It was a simple yet such a powerful message. And I’m eager to give a summary of what was spoken about yesterday.

The main idea of the message is to handle pressures and expectations in life the ‘God-way’ through embracing God’s word. I taught that an individual is faced with all sorts of pressures and temptations everyday and how he manages it will determine his thought life, decision making, response to situations, values & standards and self-esteem.

Three common pressures that most people face:

1. The inclination to please people so as to obtain acceptance or love. In the midst of doing so, one often experience a conflict of interest amongst people who differ in their attitudes and beliefs.
2. The inclination to look better than others (via physical appearance, work performances, fame) to obtain self-security. This becomes dangerous when one’s identity, life’s purpose, security are subjected to the perception of others.
3. The inclination to acquire materials so as to obtain self-worth. This happens when one measures himself based on the fatness of his bank account. But Bill gates is worth forty billion.

How one handles these pressures are crucial because they will either:

1. Make or break you in life
2. Cause you to have a healthy perspective on life or a warped mindset
3. Cause you to become vibrant, positive and passionate or miserable, depressed, easily upset and perpetually complaining

The solution is found in Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I expound on this verse and derive three main points:

1. There is a pattern of the world. And it is important for the believer to identify it.
2. Transformation is personal. It is a personal decision that not one cell leader, pastor or even Christ Jesus himself can make for the believer.
3. A promise of blessing is awarded. The believer, having obeyed can testify to God’s good, pleasing and perfect will.

There are three parts to this verse – the problem (pattern of the world), the solution (transformation) and the reward (the blessings). It’s pretty straight forward isn’t it?

Transformation involves the renewing of one’s mind and can be summed in three steps.

1. Knowing the word of God -not just the God of the word.
   You can’t develop the right thinking unless you first know exactly what you should be thinking right about. Hence the importance of devotional time.
2. Embracing biblical principles and putting away negative qualities
   Use the word of God as a filter. What the world says that does not align itself to God’s principles is better off thrown away.
3. Tap on the Holy Spirit
   An intellectual decision to change is not effective. You need a co-partnering with the Holy Spirit for genuine transformation to occur.

Some examples when dealing with pressures, temptations and expectations

1. World says: You’ll never survive in this global economic crisis.
   You fend off this fallacy and lie with Philippians 4:19: Jehovah Jireh my provider – God will meet all my needs!
2. World says: Nobody loves or care about you. You’re fat and ugly.
   You fend off this fallacy and lie with Jeremiah 31:3 and Pslam 139: God loves me with an everlasting love and I’m fearfully and wonderfully made.
3. World says: You’ll never succeed. This task is too difficult for you.
   You fend off this fallacy and lie with 2 Timonthy 1:7 and Luke 18:27: God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. Things which are impossible with man is possible with God.

Well, that’s pretty much the main points which I spoke about. I was so encouraged when a member feedback to me that the message spoke to him. Then, I knew that all sacrifice spent on preparing this was worth it.