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We must prepare our minds for action to live as obedient
children of God.
Importance of Preparing Our Minds
It's important to prepare our minds, because God commands
it (1 Pet. 1:13-14). Therefore, when we do the things necessary
to prepare our minds, we are obeying God, just like Noah
when he prepared the ark (Heb. 11:7). During the years he
built the ark, preparing it according to God's commands,
He was obeying God; and in the end he was rewarded.
As Christians, we're continually preparing ourselves to
serve God. If we do not prepare, we'll be ill-equipped to
stand against sin, growing further from God rather than
closer to God.
We Must Prepare To. . . .
If we do not prepare ourselves to serve God, we'll lose
our battle with sin. Just like a soldier who doesn't prepare,
we will lose the fight.
We must prepare ourselves to:
- Love God (Mk. 12:30).
- Willfully serve God (1 Ch. 28:9).
- Have our minds set on God's interests rather
than man's interests (Matt. 16:23; Matt. 6:24-34; Phil.
4:4-9).
- Our minds shouldn't be set on evil (Col. 3:5; Heb.
10:22; 3 Jn. 1:11).
- Our minds should be set on things above (Col. 3:1-4).
- Do God's work (Neh. 4:6; Eph. 2:10; 2 Tim. 2:21).
- Seek knowledge (Pr. 15:14; 18:15; 22:17).
- Not defile ourselves (Jas. 1:27; Dan. 1:8; 2
Tim. 2:22).
- Be humble rather than haughty (Phil. 2:3; Rom.
12:16).
- Fight the spiritual war (Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Tim.
4:7-8).
Although this is a partial list, it exemplifies the importance
of preparation. Without preparation, it's impossible to
serve God as He commands.
We Can't Control Our Bodies Without Controlling Our
Minds
If we don't prepare our minds for action, we won't have
the spiritual strength to control our bodies.
Jesus tells us that sin begins in our minds -- we think
it, then we do it. "But the things that proceed out of the
mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For
out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are
the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed
hands does not defile the man" (Matt. 15:18-20).
Therefore Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said,
'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone
who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed
adultery with her in his heart" (Matt. 5:27-28).
As Christians, we can control our bodies with our mind
because we walk according to the Spirit. Paul explains,
saying, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not
carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its
desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;
for these are in opposition to one another, so that you
may not do the things that you please" (Gal. 5:16-17).
Therefore, walking according to the Spirit, we exhibit
the fruit of the Spirit in our physical bodies. "But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against
such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ
Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires"
(Gal. 5:22-24).
How Do We Prepare Our Minds?
Here are five important factors to preparing our minds for
action.
- Study, learn, and apply God's word (Heb. 5:11-14;
2 Tim. 3:16-17).
- Like newborn babies, we long for the pure milk
of the word, so that we may grow in respect to salvation
(1 Pet. 1:2).
- The gospel is God's power unto salvation (Rom.
1:16). His word performs its work in those who believe
(1 Th. 2:13).
- God's word equips us for every good work. It's
profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and
training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
- Renew our minds (Rom. 12:2).
- We conform our minds to the doctrine of Christ,
through knowledge revealed in God's word (Rom. 12:1-2;
Col. 3:10).
- We diligently put Christ's doctrine into practice,
whereby God abundantly supplies an entrance into the
eternal kingdom of Christ (2 Pet. 1:3-11).
- Stimulated to love and good works by assembling
with the saints (Heb. 10:24-25).
- Holy, remaining sober in spirit, fixing our
hope on God's grace, not conformed to lusts (1 Pet. 1:13-16).
- Put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18).
- Truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, faith, salvation,
God's word, and prayer.
Its All About Preparation
The positive and negative:
- Positive: If you prepare your mind for action,
you will obey God and spend eternity in heaven.
- Negative: If you do not prepare your mind for
action, you will not obey God and spend eternity in hell.
When you boil it down, it's all about preparation. Where
are you prepared to spend eternity?
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