The Christian and Self-Renewal How NOT to Think “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” {Romans 12:2}

Introduction Examining the importance of the MIND. We do, as a rule, what we want to do. MAKE UP YOUR MIND; find a way to accomplish the task. Living in mediocrity—no fire (zeal) deep down inside. Some things we should NOT think about…

Dangers of Improper Thinking Too many of us carry around excessive baggage that hinders proper thinking. We’re dealing with past failures, hurts, and problems that won’t go away. No desire to change or improve. Allowing these to rule our minds keeps us from moving forward.

We can choose for it to be that way. – “And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” {Matthew 13:14,15} Dangers of Improper Thinking

We must bring our minds into proper focus. – “Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” {2 Corinthians 10:5} – “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” {1 Peter 1:13} Dangers of Improper Thinking

Thinking properly helps us gain control. –“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.” {Philippians 4:8} Dangers of Improper Thinking

The Problem of Pessimism The opposite of optimism. Defined as, “The opinion or doctrine that everything in nature is ordered for or trends toward the worst, or that the world is wholly evil; a disposition to take the least hopeful view of things. (Webster) Expecting the worst in any situation. Closing one’s eyes to the possibility of a good outcome.

Political opponents parse every speech looking for things to criticize—reasons why an idea won’t work. Some even insert obstacles to dash the possibility of growth. When a thing goes wrong, they’re sure to point out they were right. Even ignoring any good that might have been accomplished. The Problem of Pessimism

When we apply this thinking to spiritual matters, we often hear: – “ It won’t work.” – “Nobody really cares.” – “I just can’t do that.” – “They won’t listen.” Pessimists looks for a splinter in the eye. They listen to sermons looking for what is wrong— instead of what is right. The Problem of Pessimism

In God’s word, pessimism is never viewed in a positive light. Often, it is accompanied by lack of faith. – “And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. Then they said to Moses, ‘Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.’” {Exodus 14:10-12} The Problem of Pessimism

In God’s word, pessimism is never viewed in a positive light. Often, it is accompanied by lack of faith. – “Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. And the children of Israel said to them, ‘Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’” {Exodus 16:2,3} The Problem of Pessimism

In God’s word, pessimism is never viewed in a positive light. Often, it is accompanied by lack of faith. – “So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness ! Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt? So they said to one another, Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.’” {Numbers 14:1-4} The Problem of Pessimism

In God’s word, pessimism is never viewed in a positive light. Often, it is accompanied by lack of faith. – “If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us. And the Philistine said, ‘I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.’ When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” {1 Samuel 17:9-11} The Problem of Pessimism

New Testament—Parable of the Talents. – “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ But his lord answered and said to him,'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.’” {Matthew 25:24-26} The Problem of Pessimism

Jesus’ enemies were pessimists. – “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not lament.‘ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.‘ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children.” {Matthew 11:16-19} The Problem of Pessimism

At times, Jesus’ disciples were pessimistic. –“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.’ Then Jesus answered and said, ‘O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.’” {Matthew 17:15-17} The Problem of Pessimism