Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us this Sunday! In-Person 9:00am & 10:45am, Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

Join us at the next Sunday worship service:
In-Person
9:00am & 10:45am,
Online 9:00am, 10:45am & 5:00pm

On Second Thought

“…We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.” – Colossians 1:9-12.  

There is so much that can be extracted from Paul’s prayer in Colossians.  For example, there is the powerful prayer request to “give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.” That should be our goal every day that God would show us how to reflect the image of our Creator. The path to that end has alway been the challenge. But in many ways, that path starts and ends between the ears.

The Bible speaks often about the power of the mind and our thoughts. But sometimes we focus so much on actions that we miss the connection between thoughts and transformation. But that connection exists.  Our minds are powerful, and our thoughts shape who we are and will become. You change into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Changing the way you think changes your perspective which changes your actions. Because no matter how many times you read the Bible, if your mind doesn’t change, you will simply impose your thinking on the words you read. Change in your thinking is necessary. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV) says that in stronger words: “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Taking your thoughts captive simply means gaining control over what you think about yourself and life. 

It is not easy to retrain your thoughts or to respond in new Christ-like ways. But as God empowers you to focus your mind on the right things, it will become easier. You can develop a new frame of reference, based on what is true, noble, right, pure, and praiseworthy.

Our goal is to bring our heart and our thoughts into line with Christ and to place every thought under the authority of Christ. The more we think of the Lord Jesus, the less we think of ourselves. The greater He is the central focus of our thoughts, the more we will have the mind of Christ.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do our thoughts impact our actions?  
  2. What’s one change you could make this week to secure your mind more?

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