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Learning how to “GET knowledge”
We just learned that in order to get wisdom we must first fear the Lord. Now, we realize that not only is the fear of the Lord the beginning. Proverbs also says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (1:7). In comparison we read Prov 9:13, a foolish woman is clamorous; she is simple, and knows nothing (she has a lot of facts but hasn’t collected any Truth; she’s ever restless).
Wisdom = knowing the infinite measure of the greatness of God Himself indwelling our lives.
Knowledge is the second step to Wisdom’s house. Accurate knowledge accumulates Godly and pertinent facts about a topic or situation. Prov. 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord (that’s first — and then the consequence) and find the knowledge of God (KJV). Reverential fear leads to finding knowledge. That fear manifests itself in an obedient and disciplined life that confesses and forsakes sin (28:18), and does right (21:3). Godly fear leads to true knowledge that only comes by revelation (3:6).
God’s four types of knowledge:
1. THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST.
Eph. 1:17, That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ... may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him (KJV). The word knowledge is “epiginosko” (#1921, 1922) which means being mature, probing and deep, complete, accurate, thorough, and precise. We must obtain a knowledge of Christ that displays these qualtities. (See also 1 Cor. 1:5.)
2. THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WILL.
Col. 1:9 ...(We) do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (KJV). Paul prays that we might know God’s will in all “spiritual wisdom” and then do His will “with all spiritual understating.”
3. THE KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH.
1 Tim. 2;4, Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (KJV). His word is truth and it makes us free (Jn. 8:32).
4. THE KNOWLEDGE OF EVERY GOOD THING WE HAVE IN CHRIST.
Philemon 1:6, That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus (KJV). Each of us must know and acknowledge the calling that Christ has placed within us (see also 2 Tim. 4:5, Col. 4:17).
KNOWING God isn’t just knowing about Him, or having had an encounter with Him years ago. Knowing means to intimately and completely trust His Word so much that you incorporate that lifestyle into your character. Knowing God incorporates knowing who you are in Him. It means that you walk in the fullness of that revelation. It means to walk away from the foolishness of the immoral woman — to not be like her. TO BE WISE.
True knowledge issues out of awesome reverence of the Lord. Knowledge continues the process of bringing that eusibea (reverent fear of the Lord or godliness) into action in our everyday lives. Therefore, the next thing we have to do is gather KNOWLEDGE.
Knowing God was lost:
Before the fall, the first couple walked and talked with God… they KNEW Him. Everything they could ever need was on the Tree of LIFE — Wisdom hung there on that tree. Their soul-realm (mind, will, and emotions) functioned healthily. This first couple knew right from wrong, otherwise they couldn’t be held accountable for not doing it. But, they wanted more.
Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree (of the Knowledge of Good and Evil) was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining WISDOM, she took some and ate it. NIV The temptation concerned what they put inside themselves. (They were both there – and both made wrong decisions.)
1. The food they wanted to eat.
2. The things they wanted to observe.
3. The information they wanted to know.
The first man and woman lived the supernatural life because of being created in the image of The Life-giving Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45). They could eat from all the other wonderful trees in the garden. But Adam and the woman chose the serpent’s favorite — they longed for the tree of human wisdom and lost the wisdom of God. They didn’t understand the impending havoc and confusion that would result from walking in the flesh and being ruled by worldly good and evil. If this first couple had eaten of the Tree of Life, they would have lived forever and would have maintained purpose-driven power over their flesh and over their mind.
The Lord God told them that if they ate of the tree of the KNOWLEDGE of Good and Evil, they would “surely die.” That literally says, “in dying you shall surely die. The fall had three deaths – that of the spirit, soul, and body. When their minds knew good and evil, their bodies began to age, and they spiritually lost communion with God. They lost their perspective of eternal purpose. They hid and were afraid.
The ability of choice was present. Yet they chose wrongly. They partook of the forbidden tree — that Tree of the KNOWLEDGE of Good and Evil. Soon, the desire for food, sensory satisfaction, and worldly wisdom took ascendancy over the fear (awesome reverence) of God’s spoken Word. And, they ate. They chose to listen to the voice of carnality rather than take dominion. Their consequences came to all of us — and even this very day we choose whether we will also eat of the worldly systems or not.
A veil came upon humanity’s mind – a thick separation — like a cataract or dense opaque clouding that divided between the soul and spirit. The once harmonious soul and the spirit now disassociated into two worlds that came into tension, the God-like nature and the mind of man. Disobedience disconnected humanity from a relationship with God. Where they had once walked and talked with their Creator in the cool of the day, now they ate what they wanted and called it education. Humanism became the knowledge of man. Human thinking seemed right… And, in the day that we eat of the Tree of Knowledge, we shall surely die… (Gen. 2:17).
The original plan was for believes to rule, reign, and have dominion – that was God’s intention for creation from the beginning. Adam and the woman should have tended their garden. The fall brought the loss of LIFE. If we continue to eat of the wrong tree and exist in a fallen state of carnality, we give ground and reality to the devil. If we’re on guard about the things we digest (eat), the things we see, and the things we learn – then each temptation becomes an opportunity to learn and overcome.
The devil:
If we persist in stroking our OLD NATURE, we nullify the work of the cross and once again, the devil has power. But, he only has power IF we allow it. Remember that Jesus totally destroyed the works of the devil. For those who WALK IN THE SPIRIT — the cross did it! It is FINISHED for those who accept full redemption for themselves.
(Lots of super spiritual people don’t want to hear about this part. They really want to hang onto their religious methods of extended battling, crying, and pleading.) But, here’s the essence of the Gospel... after Jesus died, He went to hell and “triumphed over it.” He took the keys of death and hell. If I really believe that “HE who is in me is greater” — then I don’t have to waste my time with lengthy “religious” preoccupation.
We see the serpent in the garden become a dragon in Revelation – because fearful and superstitious believer have empowered him to grow in their minds. Isaiah maintains that when we see the devil, we’ll say, “this is it? He’s just a shriveled up little thing… defeated.” We must wonder why we make him so big... Remember the snake that crawled out of the fire and onto Paul’s hand? He just shook it off — with no rebuke and no intercession!
Two thieves died along side Jesus. One represented the Adamic fallen nature – he said, “Remember me.” Jesus responded, “Today, you will be with me in Paradise.” That thief represents the fallen nature that was erased by the cross. But there was a second thief who taunted and questioned Jesus’ with the very same words as the devil did– (see Luke 4:9, 23:39). This thief (who represents the devil) DIED at Golgotha. The thief in John 10:10 is not the thief anymore – he’s destroyed.
Either Jesus came to destroy the devil — or the work of the cross has failed. For this avowed intention (purpose) was the Son of God manifest, that he might destroy (sever, dismantle forever) the works of the evil one (1 Jn. 3:8 AMP). His PURPOSE was to utterly annihilate the system of darkness. That’s it. He did it. Surely He has purposed it and so it shall stand (see Isaiah 14:24-27). To Christians, he’s disarmed. He can only make suggestions…like, “Hath God said?” He talks a lot, but he has blank bullets.
negative thoughts in the carnal mind:
Negative thinking, low self worth. “I'll never do it.”
Apprehension of others. “They won’t let me do it.” If your motivation is built upon what others think, then you allow them to have power over your life. Realize that no one should control you.
Sickness and weakness. “I can't do it; I’m too tired.”
Anxiety and fear. “I’m afraid of them.” Negative fear = to consider or expect with alarm an unpleasant or strong emotion caused by the anticipation or awareness of danger. Every event of fear dissipates the momentum of your progress.
Victim mentality. “I’m the only one.” The feelings of always being vulnerable twists your perspective and grips you with weakness.
Limitations and ordinariness. “I'm not good enough.” Listen, no one is. But, God is good enough for all of us.
Poverty and tribulation. “I'll never be able to do it.”
Aimless reality. “What's the point?”
Dislike of people. “Everybody hates me.”
Wasted life. “What’s the use?” No excitement. Senses dulled.
Controlling thoughts. “I can’t help it.”
Doubt and unbelief, “I wonder why?”
John tells us a pointed example of the power of suggestion on the unrenewed mind. (Jn. 13:2), “So during supper, Satan having already put the thought of betraying Jesus in the heart of Judas Iscariot...” (Amplified Bible). Notice the sudden infiltration of unresisted thought into the heart of Judas? Thoughts can come to us like that, anytime, any day. But those random thoughts can’t penetrate a renewed and activated mind.
Also, notice that Satan is not all powerful. He’s the prince of this world (Eph. 2:2) – but you’re no longer of this world (Jn. 17;14)! Satan didn’t know who Jesus was when He was born, nor where He was born. That’s why all the baby boys were killed in Bethlehem. Satan is not all-powerful. He would not have crucified Jesus if he had known the divine plan (1 Cor. 2:8, Col. 1:26). Satan cannot read your mind and he does not know your thoughts. The wicked on can not touch us (1 Jn. 5:18).
Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of Christ; FOR OUR ACCUSER (SATAN) IS CAST DOWN... and we overcome him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of our testimony (Rev. 12:10-11). If we do not believe that the devil is cast down, then we have problems.
defeat only comes from activated memories of the carnal mind.
Carnality allows the power of the “law of sin” to reign over the human will.
Carnal thinking causes our BODY to be sick or tired.
Carnal thinking causes our SOUL to be depressed, angry, jealous, and exhausted. Then, we feel excessive worry and fear about the things we don’t want to happen.
Carnal thinking causes our SPIRIT to become lawless (Matt. 24:12). This lawlessness rises up against the God in us that rules our temple.
Carnal thinkers don’t know God’s ways.
Have you ever wondered if your mind operates in this world’s systems? Ask yourself:
“Is my mind…” Blank? (An empty or blank mind waits for someone else or something else to activate it.)
Inactive or lazy? (This type wants to do something, but never does.)
Scattered or inattentive? (This causes you to lose confidence and have no self-worth.)
Indecisive or unrestrained? (This means you rarely finish what you start.)
Can I make a decision and stick with it? Do I waiver with double mindedness (James 1:8)?
Do I believe the Bible one day and not the next?
Do I sometimes desire to run with the world? Carnal mindedness is death (Rom. 8:6).
Is my mind unbridled? Do I gossip, slander, jest, and never listen? (See Ps. 141:3).
Do I crave external aids? Do I repeatedly want medication, sleeping pills, liquor, or drugs? (See Prov. 3:24, Ps. 127:2).
If you answered “yes: to any of the above questions, then you probably are dealing with a carnal mind – and the law of sin and death is probably not fully reckoned with.
You will not understand the spiritual realm with a carnal mind.
**Write Romans 8:7, Isaiah 55:7-8, and list what caused you to have “carnal feelings.”
As you target these negative emotions, you can ask the following questions:
When was the first time that I felt these feelings?
Who and/or what triggers these feelings?
Should I feel differently?
Should I continue to feel this way, what could happen?
Am I willing to release this feeling and let go of the issues that created this negativity?
What could happen if I don’t let go?
What should I do right now?
Is it really the devil? Or is it me?
Carnality is incompatible with the NEW CREATION IN CHRIST. Become aware of your rights as a believer; become secure and stand without wavering. Wisdom from above is easily entreated. The Spirit world accurately interacts with humankind in specific ways. The spirit of God enters into the physical world through the spirit of a believer and is interpreted by his/her wholesome mind.
It’s time to recognize the regenerating power of the new birth – to embrace the TOTAL Life of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It denigrates the miracle of salvation when believers constantly struggle and miss the target of maturity (1 Cor. 14:20 NKJ).
Carnality = the hostile battle that opposes the will of God.
Mastery over carnal activities:
People generally base their actions on the way they believe things to be instead of identifying with the triumph of Jesus over Satan (1 Jn. 4:4, Col. 2:15, 1 Co. 15:57, 2 Co. 2:14)). We cannot “cast out” fear or discouragement. We must “overcome” negative emotions by thinking redemptive thoughts (Rom. 12:21). There’s no need to intercede for God to keep His promises. JUST BELIEVE THEM!
We must expose the lie that caused us to believe incorrectly. What was it that caused us to discredit the victory of the Cross? Doubt and disbelief, like arrows shot into the air, can disappear or land anywhere they want. We must be alert to our own negativity and minimize the impact of these thought patterns coming back to life again.
We must learn from our mistakes and move on. The better choice is to go toward resolution – resolve to embrace the redemptive facts of the Word instead of doubting. Remember that we’re free only to change our present and future. Life has only one direction, and that’s straight ahead.
There’s no reason to fear the devil – Christ LIVES in your house (Jn. 14:23)! Resist the devil (with the facts of the Word of God), and HE WILL flee from you (Jam. 4:7).
Satan’s only power against believers is the power that they concede to him. He has no power of his own.
The intellect (KNOWING) that needs to be redeemed:
Most would define knowledge as being “smart” or “intellectual.” Of course, we all know that there’s nothing more counterproductive than conceitedness of our own knowing (1 Cor. 8:1-3). Those who are wise in their own eyes have an exaggerated opinion of their own sufficiency. We can actually perish for the lack of the right kind of knowledge (Hos. 4:6).
Even as the angry crowds crucified Him, Jesus said, “Forgive them Father, for they KNOW NOT what they do...” Even today, our habitual patterns of carnal thinking causes us to NOT KNOW. We question what God says in our lives. We’re lured into that wrong tree of human reasoning and knowledge of the mind. While there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with mental ability or academic learning, we often crave for undesirable knowledge. We all must radically turn away from distractions and choose to eat of the right tree and have LIFE. Let’s look at a list of intellectual capacities that we must develop into a renewed mind of “right,” redemptive (wise) thought.
The intellects can repeat back something, i.e., rote learning. To memorize. Memory = the willful effort to remember facts and information (Jn. 14:26). Recalling opinions, beliefs, and conclusions.
The intellect gathers data from reading, empirical research, and conversations, etc.
The intellect creates data by using induction and deduction to generate new data.
The intellect fills in some gaps in our “knowing.” It assembles and categorizes similar facts.
The intellect helps us decide which decision is most likely to be productive.
The intellect provides information for response.
The intellect verifies data. For example, if we receive a message that tells us that the sun will not rise tomorrow, our logic rightly disagrees.
The intellect formats data for logical analysis.
The intellect dimensionalizes our understanding of data. In other words, the intellect it is like a computer which can present the word, "cat," on its monitor. Eventhough it may not know what a cat is, the mind can translate that word into the mental dimension.
The intellect examines our emotional experiences, to view them from its own mental perspective — a perspective that adds a valuable dimension to our understanding.
Because our intellect holds accumulated information, we can tap it to make future decisions on other matters. We store information and facts in the subconscious memory, then we can bring that information into our consciousness for use. Depending on that particular memory, we can benefit or be hindered.
So here we have this premise again: The memory stores accumulated knowledge – but only as we perceive it – whether true or not. The memory retains both true and false information, both positive and negative experiences. The memory cannot discern truth from falsehood. It just remembers. Only the spiritually conscious mind can begin to filter and discern truth and falsehood – and only if it is assigned the task. If we don’t control what goes into the memory, then it’s possible for unrestrained thoughts to manipulate us into false assumptions and conclusions. If we continue to hold onto unchecked information, it gives ground to our carnality (weakness). Only when we realize we are in bondage to negative memories, can we allow God to renew them.
A person can be extremely intelligent — and still not be wise.
To maintain discerning perspective, Paul said that the love of Christ surpassed all knowledge (Eph. 3:19). True knowledge always presents itself through love.
Wise believers discern/distinguish between the general gathering of information and the kind of knowledge required for productive LIFE. They have learned to position themselves into a place of learning beyond books. If we define knowledge as a means to achieve something of a material value, then we do not understand the full concept of this word. We must move past the function of the basic intellect into a renewed mind with wise reasoning. We DECIDE to learn new productive Truth – and unlearn wrong information. Before we move on from this point, we should appreciate the ability to relearn, to function intelligently, and to retain information for further development.
“The Scriptures do not make the mistake of confusing wisdom
with other mental capacities, or giving wisdom less than its central place.”
– Lawrence O. Richards
Knowing establishes a “Renewed Mind”
There’s a mighty fortress that stands through any storm – and that’s a total change of character – a transformed mind. Transformed into the re-establishment of LIFE, the application of the perfect blood (life of His flesh) reforms our SOUL (1 Cor. 2:16, Eph. 4:23, Phil. 2:5, 2 Tim. 1:7).
**Write out Romans 12:1-3 and meditate about it in new creative ways:
The grace obtained from your initial salvation now allows you to comprehend and apprehend wisdom. Wisdom happens by building new thought patterns. That’s what Paul meant when he said that we are the circumcision made without hands, by “putting off” the sins of the flesh (Col, 2:11)… only YOU can “put it off.” And only by revelation, can YOU “put on” that new man – not God, not your pastor, not prayer, not your parents, not even the mailman can do it for you. No you do it. How many times has your coat jumped out of the coat closet and thrown itself onto your body? No, you “put on” the new man.
This renewed mind is not an option; it’s a command.
We can’t add the new man on top of the old man. NO. Old thoughts must die. Our success and happiness depends on the quality of our new thoughts prevailing (Prov. 23:7). Success begins on the inside and later manifests itself on the outside. Every action is first conceived in our mind. New thoughts precede new actions. Knowing precedes understanding.
Jesus intends to exchange His SOUL realm attributes with us – to give us His mind – the way He thinks about things, the way He feels about things, the way He reacts, the way He makes decisions. That’s what LIFE is all about. Let this mind (attitude) be in you (Phil. 2:5) – it’s a command, not a request!
Now, let’s review what you wrote earlier (Romans 12:1-3). Present your body as a living sacrifice.
PRESENT
Willingly and willfully do acts of the heart and tasks of obedience out of the energy of love. Your body becomes a spirit enactment of service.
Don’t be Conformed to this world.
NOT CONFORMED
Conformed = “to continually apply pressure until it takes the shape of the mold desired by the one applying pressure.” Don’t be conformed to this world. 1 John 2:5-16 tells us to love not the world, or as the Amplified version says not to have, “craving for sensual gratification and greedy longings of the mind that consume one with desire.” Don’t act like the unredeemed.
Be transformed to God’s way of thinking.
TRANSFORMED
Totally changed into a new entity and identity.
Be different than before. Change the inside.
Allow the fruit to grow with integrity.
Become reprogrammed by God’s purposes.
Create a lifestyle behavior that depicts spiritual reality.
Break the former principles that ruled the thought life.
Reconstruct the order of logic and the concept of Truth.
Be renewed in your mind.
RENEWED
Restore to the original state of freshness, or beauty.
Control the responses to incorrect emotions and feelings.
Posses new responses that spiritually act with accuracy and precise principles.
React with conscious willingness and readiness.
Respond with enlivened movement, sense of direction, and finalized destination.
Possess accuracy in Spiritual arenas. Have fresh revelation. Articulate and express activated and exact giftings.
Find the will of God. (It can be found).
FINDING
Notice how the scriptures tie together the ideas of renewing the mind with knowing God’s will.
Be purpose driven.
Desire to live sacrificially to accomplish the will of God.
Live in harmony with beliefs and actions.
Live as much as possible, without intentional sin.
Manifest in behavior the image and standard of God. Be a witness with your life.
Complete your purpose.
The gift of our yielded lives is the acceptable worship to God.
**What does Romans say is acceptable to God? We come to him on his terms. Look up Romans 12:1-4 in NIV translation and explain spiritual worship: Write Matt. 4:1, & Rom. 6:13. Discuss how well you control your emotions and your tongue. Is it easy or is it hard? Are your feelings easily hurt? What kind of friends do you hang around? How can a renewed mind help you to know God’s will? How can a renewed mind help you “build your spiritual house” and achieve your destiny? How can a renewed mind help you to understand God’s word, and to apply it? How can a renewed mind help you to know the depths of God’s love? (1 Cor. 2:10-11)?**
Right knowing comes from a transformed mind. That means we stop blaming the devil and take responsibility for our situations. We can trust God. Trust means to approach the conditions in our life with a sense of hope, faith, and belief that there is a reason for all that is happening. Jeremiah reminds us (29:11), For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. When we KNOW that God has good thoughts concerning us, then trust happens beyond our five senses, beyond the physical awareness. God is in charge. The following are some rewards for having a healed mind:
Belief is a soul realm function:
The awareness and articulation of spirituality is an activity of the SOUL. God told Ezekiel, "Look with your eyes and hear with your ears and fix your heart (mind) on everything I show you...” (40:4). Then Ezekiel declared this soul realm comprehension to the people. That’s the activity of the redeemed intellect. The ability to accurately interpret input. What did Ezekiel see, hear about, and fix his mind upon??? Why yes... it’s THE TEMPLE!!!
You the believer must fix your eyes, your ears, and your heart on your temple. You must tend and guard your own garden (Eden, the paradise of God where He walks and talks; your temple where God abides).
Knowing means we can imagine correctly:
Because of past misapplication, Christians have become hesitant to use their imaginations. However, the act of really KNOWING God demands that we take time to dream and imagine (Joel 2:28). Dreams are what the future is made of. That’s why we take time to imagine what should be, could be, or ‘otta be. Imagination means to willfully picture (mentally imagine) the facts we know and the thoughts we think. This activity should put us in participation with those thoughts. Renewed imagination can work to our benefit.
Develop God-given imagination for the good. For example, we can learn to imagine the meaning of the songs we sing. The more we practice — the easier it becomes. Try to picture the Bible stories and view yourself inside the situations. Feel the excitement of being personally involved. Perhaps you can hear the conversations of the characters. Enhance your mental picture by asking questions. Expand the Bible to solve present day situations.
Visualize the success of making a right choice. For example, picture yourself as an organized person, or see yourself with a great job. What is your picture?
Realize (know and understand) the potential of God’s promises. The more you imagine positively, the more your mind gets stronger. The stronger you build your house, the quicker you can break bad habits.
Knowing means that we can create new habits:
God gave us all the particular (and often peculiar) capacity to have habits. Usually, we don’t even realize that we have habits. But, we all do… There was a time when it wasn’t easy to drive a car, but we learned how to shift gears by practice, and now we can do it while talking, listening to the radio, and eating – no problem. Once we’ve acquired a new habit, then our highly complex behavior patterns unconsciously start taking over.
Hebrews 5:13 tells us that these Christians had heard a lot of teaching but they had not benefited because they didn’t consistently use what they already KNEW. “But solid food (mashed potatoes and steak) is for the mature who because of practice (habitually doing it over and over) have their senses trained to discern between good and evil.” See that? We become mature by training our senses over and over again to habitually respond to what we know is true. The practice of discerning good and evil is vital.
Our current use of habituated responses cannot be underestimated. That’s how God created humanity to live. We must stop to examine our habit patterns and then evaluate them. There’s only one way to change. We have to recognize the need for change and patiently retrain ourselves by repetition – that’s line upon line, precept by precept, here a little, there a little. Pattern by pattern.
**Tell the meaning of Mark 9:23 in your own words: Can a leopard change his spots? No. Can you change? Absolutely. It’s never too late. You can live more efficiently. Stop cussing. Get up earlier. Lose weight. Stop being depressed. Pray. Yes. Most researchers say that it takes about three weeks of daily work to create a new habit. Then, it takes about three more weeks to be really comfortable in it. So where will you start?**
“Right knowing” activates the “law of life:”
Paul talks a lot about the “law of sin” that hounded him. He wished he could do good, but the power to do good wasn’t there. Sometimes, even Paul may have wanted to yield to sin without resisting – flesh drew his soul towards sin and death. For a time, he could not escape this inner frustration. But, Paul had revelation. He assured us of a different law working – the much greater law of the Spirit of LIFE. **Write this law (Rom. 8:1-3):
Our responses ultimately lead to who we become. God intends that our mind be yielded and responsive to His Spirit.
We must choose the law of sin and death or the Law of the Spirit of Life.
We can deliberately change our thoughts and choose to meditate on suitable subjects concerning LIFE.
We can willfully focus our thoughts on God’s Word. (Rom. 8:5).
We can concentrate on what needs to be done at this moment.
We can reflect the image and likeness of Christ.
**Write 1 Thess. 5:21, Col. 1:9-10, 3:2, and Phil. 2:11-13.
Wrong thinking produces a lack of discernment, and then our confused mind refuses to cooperate with God. Because our thinking affects our emotions and our decisions, we must choose our thoughts carefully. The Spirit of Life brings release. I am dead unto sin and ALIVE! Paul victoriously declares his freedom because the Law of the Spirit of Life has already been acquired and completed. Now, he tells us what to do — not just what NOT to do....he says to WALK IN LIFE.
Right knowing puts the Spirit of Life into our minds.
Once we KNOW about the Spirit of LIFE, it begins to deliver us into present truth (2 Pet. 1:12), which focuses on Jesus and the NEW CREATION. We become released from sin-conscious messages. The early apostles called any legalistic exhortation “another Gospel” (Gal. 1:6). We aren’t supposed to continuously worry about dying... we reckon (believe that it is accomplished) ourselves dead to sin and ALIVE unto Christ.
The Spirit of LIFE encourages us to look into the “glass” or “mirror” of the Word and see the NEW MAN. Why look! We have single eyed focus (Matt. 6:22-24). The face we see becomes (literally) our face of the beginnings, or the “GENESIS FACE” (Gen. 1:26-28) — the face of original creation rule & dominion. The Spirit of Life propels us to higher standards. It allows us to incarnate the promises given. We become the womb of God’s expression, the tabernacle in which the covenants become birthed to actuality.
We must work out how our mind will respond to outside commands — it depends upon the programming set within. Agreement with God’s precepts opens us to the Supreme overruling power of LIFE. When our mind and heart agree, then we also find Godly influence upon other areas of our thought life: Proper knowing means we can optimize several abilities:
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