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Many books have been written on the subject of the battle for the mind. There can be no doubt that such a battle exists in our day, as it has done throughout the centuries. Satan knows that if he can control people’s thought life, he can control their actions. How we think and what we think is reflected in the way we live. Satan seeks to be a mind-controller and a mind-manipulator. The believers at Ephesus lived among people whose thought patterns were very different from theirs. Spiritual darkness had clouded their minds (v’s 17-18). The end result of such thinking is expressed throughout the remainder of the chapter. But the grace of God can and will bring a completely new mental and spiritual attitude. Paul says that Jesus Christ has become the new axis on which everything now revolves. They had “learned Christ” by personal experience (v 20). They had “heard Him” through the Word (v 21a). They had been Spirit taught (v 21b). Now he says it is time for:
1. Removal
2. Renewal What an incredible storehouse the mind is! Everything that happens to us, whether painful or pleasurable, thrilling or traumatising, in acceptance or rejection, is treasured up, or programmed into our conscious or sub-conscious being. In some ways, our lives are similar to the cross section of a great tree, which reveals its autobiography just beneath the bark which protects and conceals it. Each ring represents a year – of normal growth, a time of drought, a lightning strike, a forest fire, or the slash of an axe. Everything is recorded and only revealed when brought to the light. But the analogy stops here, for the grace of God and the ministry of the Spirit can do for our minds what cannot be done for an inanimate tree. Jesus Christ can release the mind from all hurt and fear, all confusion and anger, all feelings of worthless ness. Then he comes with inner healing, renewing and re-direction – and it is a wonderful ongoing, ever developing blessing! It is the Spirit Controlled Mind!
3. Resemblance What a contrast there is between v 22 and v 24! Everything that scars and blemishes the life is exchanged for righteousness and holiness. The Greek phrase “to be clothed with a person” signifies “to assume the interests of another, to be wholly on his side, to imitate him, to enter into his views.”
Paul presses home his application of the new man in various areas of life: These are not the fruits of the Spirit, but the works of the flesh. Therefore v 25 is the link between what the Lord has done and what He wants to do in the lives of His people. Is there something in your life which has never been “put away?” The time has come to put off the old man and put on the new man; to put away the traits of evil (carnality) and put on the graces of the Holy Spirit. This is the way to walk (v 17). If this were preached and practised, churches would thrive and Christians would be mature and well balanced. The pilgrimage to Heaven would be much more joyful, and serving the Lord much more rewarding. We would be so much more fulfilled, but best of all, Christ would be glorified.
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Due to be updated: end October Archived Messages.
11/02/07 Holiness to the Lord. |