OPENING SCRIPTURE:

I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t. I do what I don’t want to—what I hate.  I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking. But I can’t help myself because I’m no longer doing it. It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things. (Romans 7:15-17 Living Bible)

• Paul is describing the struggle in his mind of the old self (sinful nature) with the new self (Christ-like nature)
• Brain is a very complex wiring system. Flawlessly designed by God but corrupted by sin.

I love to do God’s will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at WAR with MY MIND and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me In my mind I want to be God’s willing servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin. So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh, what a terrible predicament I’m in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? (Romans 7:22-24 Living bible)

• Paul is describing here is a stronghold.
• A stronghold is a place in our minds where the wires feels like they have been crossed.
• Your life is always moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts. Where are your thoughts taking you?

“An unmanaged mind leads to TENSION, PRESSURE, CONFLICT, and STRESS. A managed mind leads to TRANQUILITY, PEACE, CONFIDENCE, and STRENGTH” (Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life)

• The question is which path is the brain taking.
• God does not want us to remain in this state of confusion.

Thank God! IT HAS BEEN DONE BY JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. HE HAS SET ME FREE. (Romans 7:25 Living bible)

• This freedom is found in Jesus. The resurrection power of Christ.
• Our FREEDOM PURCHASED by the BLOOD but ENFORCED BY US, in our minds, in our thoughts.
• The responsibility is to renew our minds is ours – with God’s divine help.

Do not CONFORM 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. (Romans 12:2 NIV)

• There is a pattern of thinking out there that is outside of the boundaries of the word of God. This pattern of thinking is based on the lies of the enemy.
• A thought creates a neurological pathway also called Reticular Activating System (RAS) in our brains that leads to action.
• Overt time, it creates a pattern.
• There is also another pattern of thinking that are protected by the boundaries of God’s Word. Let your mind, your thoughts be rewired within those boundaries.

#1 REWIRE USING THE WORD OF GOD

⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; MEDITATE on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8 NIV)

• Mediation means to engage in a mental exercise; to focus one’s thoughts.
• The word meditate comes from the same root word as the word ruminate. Cows ruminate: chews it up, swallows it, throws it back into their mouth again, chews on it some more, and then finally swallows it.
• It that same manner we need to meditate on God’s word. Take a thought from a Bible verse, and chew on it, then swallow it…and repeat.
• Your brain will be rewired to locate and find God’s truth

#2 KEEP IT CLEAN

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADMIRABLE—if anything is EXCELLENT or PRAISEWORTHY—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

• Your mind is fed through your eyes and ears. They are the gates to your soul.

CONCLUSION

• What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?