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Ephesians 4:22-24 - Let The Spirit Renew Your Mind.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT) throw off your old 
sinful nature and your former way of life, which is 
corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the 
Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on 
your new nature, created to be like God - truly 
righteous and holy. 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Sometimes we forget how much control we 
have over our daily attitudes. 
   We've all had those days when nothing 
seems to be going right, and then a friend, family 
member, or coworker stops and asks us how we are 
doing. They aren't satisfied with our polite reply, 
"Oh, I'm fine. How about you?" But they sense 
there's more and keep talking, listening, and caring 
until we begin to sense our attitudes shifting. 
   We realize we have so much for which to 
be thankful. We're reminded of God's goodness 
and sovereignty. We regain our eternal 
perspective and recognize our little inconveniences are 
no big deal. Maybe we can even laugh about what 
seemed like a monumental struggle earlier in the 
day. 
   The Bible tells us we have the ability to 
renew our minds by taking our thoughts captive to 
Christ. If we filter our negative thoughts when they 
occur, refusing to give them room to grow and 
fester into our attitudes, then we hold onto our 
peace and joy. No longer does our mood depend on 
our circumstances. Regardless of what happens 
from hour to hour, if we focus on Christ, then 
our thoughts, words, expressions, and actions 
will reflect a positive, loving spirit. 
   When negative thoughts come to mind 
today, Jesus, help me submit them to your 
authority. Let my attitude reflect the grace, 
gratitude, and gentleness that I see in you. [Daily 
Power by Craig Groeschel] 

COMMENTARY

   Thoughts and attitudes are important 
because they determine what you feel. Thoughts, 
attitudes, and feelings then determine what you do. 
Some of your thoughts are on the surface of your 
mind, and you're aware of them. But some of your 
thoughts and attitudes are rooted deep down in your 
heart, and you're seldom consciously aware of 
them. 
   I'll never change.
   I've been like this my whole life. I 
can't do it. 
   I'm too busy.
   When thoughts like these well up from 
deep inside us, they block us from doing the 
things God wants us to do. 
   What can we do about these thoughts that 
have been rooted inside us for years? We must 
invite the Holy Spirit to expose them so that we're 
consciously aware of them. Then we can ask, "Is it 
true?" That's a crucial question about any thought 
that is an obstacle to change. Then the Holy 
Spirit will help us uproot thoughts that aren't 
true. He is eager to help. Ask him. 
   Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the 
deep-rooted negative thoughts that stand in the way of 
your transformation. [The Daniel Plan 365-Day 
Devotional] 

   Change requires making choices. Its 
not enough to dream of changing. Its not 
enough to desire change. In order for you to 
change, you will need to make a decision. You must 
choose to change. 
   Change is intentional: Are you going to 
be any different in six months? Are you going 
to be better a year from now? Are you going to 
be healthier, stronger, and more mature? Are 
you going to be happier? Are you going to be 
less in debt? Are you going to be more like God 
wants you to be? 
   I can tell you the answer right now: It 
will only happen if you choose to change, because 
it isnt going to happen accidentally. You 
need to think ahead to where you need to be at 
the end of this year and where you need to be in 
three years, six years, and a decade from now. I 
want you to be better in 10 years than you are 
today, but you wont be unless you choose to be. 
   Change requires a choice.
   A lot of times we think were waiting 
on God to change us. No, you are not waiting on 
God. God is waiting on you! Hes waiting on you 
to say, Yes, Lord, Im willing to make 
these changes. 
   We have to make intentional choices in 
order to grow. There is no growth without change, 
there is no change without loss, and there is no 
loss without pain. If you are going to grow, you 
will have to change, and change means you let go 
of some old things and grab hold of some new 
things. 
   Its like swinging on a trapeze: The 
trapeze artist swings out on one bar, and then he 
has to reach out and grab the other bar. At some 
point, hes got to let go of one to grab the 
other, or hes not going to make it to the other 
side. If he thinks he can hold on to both, what 
happens? He gets stuck in the middle, and hes 
going down. 
   Perhaps you are stuck in the middle, and 
youre going down because you havent let go of 
the old patterns, the old habits, and the old 
ways of thinking. You have to let go of your old 
ways. 
   The Bible says, Throw off your old 
sinful nature and your former way of life 
(Ephesians 4:22 NLT). In other words, let it go. Those 
old habits, those old hurts, those old patterns, 
those old sins in your life - let them go. The 
Bible says to throw them off and trust that God is 
working in you to will and to act in order to 
fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13 NIV). 
[Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: 
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

   When God wants to remove the defects in 
your life, he doesnt always just snap his 
fingers so that it happens instantly. He does it 
incrementally. Youve heard me say this before: When God 
wants to make a mushroom, he takes six hours, but 
when God wants to make an oak tree, he takes 60 
years. 
   So, do you want to be a mushroom or an 
oak tree? 
   The Holy Spirit will make changes in your 
life far beyond anything you thought was 
possible, but theyre not going to happen overnight. 
My prayer for you is that through the work of 
the Holy Spirit and the Word of God and with 
support from other believers like the people in your 
small group, you will be more mature, more 
Christlike, and further along in your purpose 10 years 
from today. 
   I pray that in 10 years, you will be 
stronger emotionally, physically, spiritually, 
psychologically, and financially, but youve got to be 
intentional about it. The Bible says, Put on your new 
nature, created to be like God - truly righteous and 
holy (Ephesians 4:24 NLT). [Daily Devotional by 
Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE


http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190422-0943.html 

EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON 28 REVELATIONS OF 
JESUS 

1st of 28: Divine Dining: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7j1QIKqmY 
2nd of 28: Pictures of the Divine: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNI-OQ7-eQ 
3rd of 28: A Dirty Bible: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkPvBuuFd4 
4th of 28: Cared For: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztXyJVdcCds 
5th of 28: Saved: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX45kGRe1HI 
6th of 28: You Can Change: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0gkvK18fo 
7th of 28: Reprogramming Our Brains: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov36f_RapXc 
8th of 28: Our Holy Father: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XabXLEXsxbY 
9th of 28: Gifts of Service: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtuGZviodkA 
Live ongoing series in progress.

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs FGGibbs@abible.com