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Christians Are Different Because -- They Think Differently Introduction: What organ is the most important in the human body for survival? Numerous essential for life but the heart and brain are at the top of the list. Which is most important the heart or the brain? I) Bible Heart and Mind A) Heart refers to the will, intent, and emotions of the person. 1. Proverbs 23.7 "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Thinking is done with or in the "heart." 2. Genesis 6.5 during the days of Noah it describes man as being evil to the point that every thought and intent of the heart was evil continually. B) The mind 1. 1 Chronicles 28.9 speaks of man having a willing heart and "mind." 2. Romans 12.2 "the renewing of your mind." C) The heart and mind comprises our intentions, desires, emotions, and how we think. 1. Man has the ability to think for himself. Each one of us is responsible for what we do because each one of us "thinks" for themselves. 2. We have the ability to control and determine what we think about. Unlike the animals that simply respond through instinct we can decide how we are going to react because we can determine how we think. II) Two Different Ways of Looking At the World A) Notice how the Bible boils things down to the most basic way of thinking. 1. We are either for God or against Him. 2. We are either walking in the light or we are in darkness. B) Examples of the two different ways 1. Earthly minded vs. spiritually minded, Galatians 6.1 2. Being of a debased mind, Romans 1.28 vs. being of sound mind, 2 Corinthians 5.13 3. Being carnally minded, Romans 8.7 vs. being of the mind of Christ, 1 Corinthians 2.16 III) Influences on our way of thinking A) What we see 1. If we fill our minds will filth then we will think on filth, Titus 1.15 2. Those that watch pornography, immodestly dressed women or men, violence in movies and/or games B) What we read 1. What kind of literature am I reading? 2. Lots of four letter words, descriptive scenes that would make an R-rated movie. C) What we hear 1. What kind of music am I listening to? 2. What kind of language am I hearing? IV)_ Numerous passages that tells us how and what to think on A) Think on these things, Phil. 4.6-8 1. Why should I think on these things? Garbage In, Garbage Out 2. Because they are pure and upright; because they bring about godliness instead of worldliness. B) Set your mind on these things and not on things on the earth, Colossians 3.2 1. Why? Read Colossians 3.3,4 2. Application means to put to death these things, Colossians 3.5-11 3. Application means to put on these things, Colossians 3.12-15 C) The Christian Mind set is different from the world 1) Trust in God vs. trust in this world: Matthew 6.25-30 the Christian does not live in a vacuum and has to provide for themselves and their family but when it comes down to it the decisions they make are based on God's word and will. The people of this world will only trust in God when it is convenient. 2. Long sighted vs. short sighted: people of this world think about today and the next, Matthew 6.34. The Christian looks at things in the long term, Hebrews 11.24-26. a. Child rearing we are to look at the "big picture" Hebrews 12.11 b. In taking a job we need to look at its impact on our spiritual condition c. In our recreation we need to think about its impact on our ability to serve God 3. What does God want me to do vs. what do I want to do, see this with the persecution endured by the apostles in 2 Corinthians 4.7-12. a. Not "do I have to religion" or "What can I get by with" but "what really pleases God" and "What is right". b. The scribes and Pharisees were great in the outward but not the inward. They did not change the way they were thinking. Conclusion: If we are having trouble living the Christian life the reason is because we are not thinking like a Christian. Once we change the inside the outside will follow. How about you this morning. Are you ready for something better than what this world offers? Are you ready to become a Christian?
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