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And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds (Ephesians 4:23, ESV).
Our thinking has a default mode. I’m not talking about daydreaming, as we all have a “spirit” of the mind. Some have a negative spirit, others a lustful spirit, and some an angry spirit.
And I’m not talking about demonic possession, but the “spirit” of the mind that sets your attitude about yourself, others, and life. This “spirit” controls your speech and influences your decisions.
What is your “spirit” of the mind?
Ephesians 4:23 does not discuss the Holy Spirit but the spirit of your mind. The Greek word for “spirit” is “pneuma,” which means “breath.” What do we breathe out of our spirit?
Let’s admit that many of us have bad breath!
The Greek word for “renewed” is “ananeo,” and this word, found only in Ephesians 4:23, can also be translated as “repair.”
I admit, my mind needs some repair work. How about yours?
The Greek word for “mind” is “nous,” which can indicate “reflective thinking.” We find the word in one of my favorite passages in the New Testament. . .
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).
The Greek word for “renewal” in Romans 12:2 is not the same word for “renew” in Ephesians 2:23, but both words have similar meanings — renew or repair.
Okay, I’ve been in scholastic la-la land for a bit in this Interruption, now let me go completely unscholastic with an OGV (Old Guy Version) of Ephesians 2:23. . .
Repair what controls your thoughts, and change the way that you think! (Ephesians 2:23, OGV)
How do we repair our minds?
Only by memorizing Scripture! I repeat — it can only be done by memorizing Scripture. We need instantaneous “God thoughts” to capture and defeat the too often fleshly, selfish, and even “depraved spirit” thoughts in our minds.
Listen — in our spirits — to the following verses:
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21).
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Discover the “spirit” of your mind — lust, pride, anger, doubt, selfishness, greed, materialism, or impurity — then search the Bible for two or three verses that give God’s corrective Word and then memorize these verses.
The abundant life found only in Jesus depends on His Word!