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Redeemer Church Mauritius
What Occupies Your Mind? - Phil Kendon
There are so many things competing for our headspace, and taking up our energy and capacity as we dwell on those things. Whether it be the scrolling of social media, the clamour of news articles, the spreading of memes, or just anxious thoughts that inject themselves into our conscious mind - it feels like a constant battle to keep control over our mind. When unhelpful thought patterns or behaviours occupy our minds - those patterns can become just as inhibiting as an occupying power in a war. But the scriptures speak about how we can take responsibility for our minds and even use our minds as an instrument of worship – to love God with all our minds.
Locations & Times
Redeemer Church Mauritius
Mauritius
Sunday 9:30 AM
Matthew 9:1–6 (NIV)
Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”
Unwelcome thoughts cause havoc in the mind like unwelcome guests in a home.
2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (NIV)
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
We have the authority to take thoughts captive.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The scriptures help us discern unhealthy thought patterns.
Lamentations 3:19–24 (NIV)
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Colossians 3:2 (NIV)
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
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.
The battle for the mind is not just about emptying it of bad thoughts or influences. We must also fill our minds with good thoughts.
Matthew 22:36–40 (NIV)
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Fill your mind with things that bring God honour so that your whole life follows the direction your mind is leading in a life of worship to God.
Are you winning the battle for your mind?
