Renewing the Mind #3
In this V. John said that he wished that our SOUL would prosper. Before we go on we need to ask, “What is the SOUL?” It’s the Greek word for “Soul” is “Psuche” meaning the MIND, the WILL, the INTELLECT, and the EMOTIONS. The soulish realm is the place where Christians get into trouble. In the soul is where your thinking and reason takes place, that’s where we get into trouble.
I. ISA 55:8‑9
A. Many times we begin to reason out the things of God.
1. We might reason out healing by saying that they would have recovered even if no one laid hands on them.
a. Tongues ‑‑ (emotions, passed away)
b. Miracles ‑‑ (done away with, they thought they were healed during an emotional time, but ....)
2. But God says that His ways are not our ways and what I mainly wanted you to see is that His thoughts are not our thoughts.
a. God’s thoughts are not the thoughts of the natural mind or the carnal mind.
B. Back in (3JOHN 2) It says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (KJV)
1. The word “Wish” in this V would be better translated “Pray.” The apostle John that walked with Jesus, knew Jesus, and served the Lord for many, many years, who would soon write the book of revelation, said “I pray for your prosperity and health.”
a. John said, “This is my # 1 prayer, that you would prosper and live in health, even as your soul prospers.”
2. Success in your life and walking in divine health will be governed or determined, greatly, by your soul.
3. The words “even as” in (3JO 2) means “inasmuch as, -- according to.”
a. You could read (3JO 1:2) like this, “Beloved, I pray above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, ACCORDING TO thy soul prospering.”
b. John is saying that when your soul is prospering, you’re going to prosper financially and you’ll be in health.
c. The word of God says in (HOS 4:6) “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
d. What is the knowledge that we need to get?
i. Of course it’s the Word of God.
e. And where is that we put knowledge?
i. 1st it has to go in our minds or in the soul.
ii. There is a part of getting the Word in your heart for faith, it has to go into your mind then it will go into your heart.
iii. But we’re talking about getting your minds renewed to the Word of God.
II. Now going back to our main text again (3JO 2) Says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (KJV)
A. According to this V it’s possible to have a prosperous soul, if that’s true then it’s also possible to have a poor soul or an unprosperous soul.
1. What are some things that would give someone a poor soul?
a. We already looked at (HOS 4:6) Which says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
#1 b. A lack of knowledge of the Word of God will give you a poor soul.
2. #2 Allowing ourselves to be controlled by the desires of the flesh, like money, food, power, whatever would fall under the lust of the flesh.
a. (Rom 8:5‑6) Says, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded {is} death; but to be spiritually minded {is} life and peace.”
b. For you to follow after the things of the flesh it will cause you to have a poor spirit.
i. As we said last week, there has to be a quality decision to follow after the things of the Spirit and to crucify the things of the flesh.
c. GAL 5:16
i. The NIV translation says (Galatians 5:16) “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (NIV)
3. #3 Choosing things that are contrary to the will of God.
a. Luke 10:38-42
b. So many times people are doing things that are good things, but never let those good things steel your time that you should be having with the Lord.
c. You need to sit at the feet of Jesus and receive His Word as often as possible.
i. You need to be careful or you might get caught up in doing to many things, anywhere from doing to much for God and getting burnt out, to doing to much with your family and neglecting God.
ii. You need to be like Mary and choose the best part by sitting under the WORD.
a. If you’re sitting under the Word you’re going to have the strength to go on.
b. If you’re not sitting under the Word you’re going to be doing things in your own strength and in the flesh.
i. If you’re doing things in the flesh you’re going to produce an Ishmeal, and Ishmeal’s always produce problems.
ii. Works are good, and things need to be done, but there has to be a balance. We need the Word of God and the Spirit of God, then we need to do the works.
iii. You don’t want to do 1 without the other. You need both.
4. The 4th thing that will cause you to have a poor spirit is being UNDISCIPLINED and FANTASIZING on ungodly things.
a. (2CO 10:5) Says, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (KJV)
5. #5 REFUSING TO CHANGE.
a. (ROM 12:2) Says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”...
6. #6 Being more CONCERNED about the THINGS of the Earth, rather than the things of Heaven.
a. Look at COL 3:1-2 {affection: or, mind}
7. #7 Allowing emotional feelings to decide how to act rather than the Word of God.
a. (JOH 16:13) Says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, {that} shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (KJV)
b. The Holy Spirit will guide you, not your feelings or emotions.
i. Our feeling and our senses can mislead us.
8. #8 Letting worry, fear, and negative thinking control you.
a. (1 Peter 5:7) Says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (KJV)
b. (PHI 4:8) Says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things {are} honest, whatsoever things {are} just, whatsoever things {are} pure, whatsoever things {are} lovely, whatsoever things {are} of good report; if {there be} any virtue, and if {there be} any praise, think on these things.” (KJV)
B. With one or more of these things going on inside of you, you will be poor in the soulish realm.
1. But according to (3JOHN 2), the prosperity of your life is based on the prosperity of your soul.
2. If your soul is poor it will affect every area of your life: MARRIAGE, BUSINESS, FAITH, HEALTH, SOCIAL LIFE, EVERYTHING.
III. But on the other hand there is the prosperous soul. And the prosperous soul will have many characteristics.
A. We already mentioned some of the things when we were talking about how to correct a unprosperious soul.
#1 1. But we should also have a mind that is ready to repent or change any thought at any time.
a. Again (ROM 12:2) Says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what {is} that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (KJV)
#2 2. The prosperous soul will follow the things of the H.S. through the human spirit.
a. (Rom 8:5) Says, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” (ROM 8:14) Says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (KJV)
#3 3. The prosperous soul has a mind that meditates on the God’s Word regularly.
a. PSA 1:1‑3
#4 4. A prosperous soul is disciplined to think on the positive of things without fear or worry.
a. Again (PHIL 4:8) tells us to think on the things that are true, honest, pure, lovely, good report...
#5 5. A prosperous soul will do the WILL of God, no matter what it cost.
a. (JOSH 24:15) “Choose who you will serve, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”
#6 6. The prosperous soul does not allow its self to be guided by the EMOTIONS.
a. (2CO 5:7) “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”
C. As we get our minds renewed to the Word of God, our soul will become prosperous, and that prosperity will roll over into every area of your life and you’ll be blessed.
WOLCC SUN AM 1/22/95