NEW LIFE INCLUDES A NEW MIND

Living above old thought patterns

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Colossians 3:1-4

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 2:8-15 (NLT)

8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

11 When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

SEEK AND SET

Colossians 3:1-2

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

I. BEGIN YOUR DAY WITH HEAVEN’S PERSPECTIVE

Colossians 3:2

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

II. FILTER YOUR THOUGHTS THROUGH ETERNAL TRUTH

Proverbs 14:15-16

15 The simple believes everything,

  but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

16 One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,

  but a fool is reckless and careless.

Acts 17:11

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Ask yourself: Does this matter in light of eternity? Is this drawing me closer to Christ?

III. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH REMINDERS

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

IV. REDIRECT YOUR THOUGHTS WHEN THEY WANDER

John 14:26

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Psalm 104:34 NLT

May all my thoughts be pleasing to him,

  for I rejoice in the Lord.

V. REMEMBER WHERE CHRIST IS

Colossians 3:1

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 2:14-15 (NLT)

14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.