Series: Renewal of the mind; Discerning God’s voice
Sunday 4 June 2017 – Riaan Sinden
1 Pet. 1:13; 2 Cor. 10:3-6; Col. 3:1-4; Matt. 6:24, 33; (2 Cor. 11:14); Deut. 30:19; (Gen. 3:1); Eph. 4:11-15; 1 Kings 19:11-13; Rom. 8:5-6; Rom. 12:2; (John 14:6); (John 17:17).
The word “overcomer” has become real to me. You sometimes need to say it out aloud. To be an overcomer you have to overcome something. The place where we need to secure the victory is in the mind. Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:13). For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete (2 Cor. 10:3-6). That is an overcomer! We need to take very thought captive to obey Christ. The word ‘captive’ means to control, conquer and bring into submission. Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh, so we bring every thought captive to the Word of God. We do that by making an intentional decision to spend time in the Word. If we do not connect to God, we will connect to something else. We need to recognise the voice behind the ‘bombardments’ we experience daily and discern the lie from the truth. The only way to do that is to know the truth. We sometimes perceive the truth through the perspective of past experiences. We have more background biases than we realise. That is why Jesus never did two miracles the same way.
The optic nerve is the only nerve that goes directly to the brain. It sends more impulses from the brain to the eye than from the eye back to the brain. So it means our brain is telling our eyes what to see. We are actually preconditioned. That is why it is so important to fill our mind with things from above. We need to have our minds renewed constantly. Keep seeking the things above (Col. 3:1-4). There is devotion needed when it comes to the Word of God. The things we are most devoted to will determine our actions. The things that fuel what we pursue are the point of our greatest devotion. We have two choices. Is God my first love? No-one can have two masters (Matt. 6:24). Remember the two trees in the middle of the Garden of Eden? God always comes alongside and shows us the right way. We have to discern which voice we are going to listen to. The enemy comes as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14), what he says sounds good but it is a lie. If we want to live the life of an overcomer we will have to overcome the voice of the enemy. He can make a lie sound like the truth. We will only know truth if we seek truth.
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants (Deut. 30:19). Choose life! There are no grey areas in God. There is either hot or cold, life or death, all or nothing. We need to be devoted to the one and despise the other. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. God is first God, not second, not third. We need to devote ourselves to this and set our minds on the things above. This is the battleground. The enemy will try to keep us distracted and keep our mind off what is really important. We have a good example in the pattern Son who lived a life completely devoted to His Father. If we are not devoted, we will be led astray by every other voice.
The difference between a mature son and a child is that the mature son knows the truth and his mind is set on the things above (Eph. 4:11-15). In the Garden of Eden, there was one animal described as more cunning than any of the other beasts (Gen. 3:1). The enemy is not going to give us a break. The enemy will try to infiltrate our doctrine, our beliefs, our position in Christ and even our principles. He will test you on every one of those. He will come as an angel of light but will keep you in the dark. We will walk around in the dark, unable to see the plan of God for our lives. If he cannot distract us, he will duplicate the sound. He will test the authenticity of our relationship with God by asking two questions: “Did God really say?” and “If you are the Son of God….” Through all of these distractions and things bombarding our minds, we need to train our ears to hear and recognise the voice of God. The only way to do that is by devoting ourselves to His Word.
Elijah was hiding in a cave and God spoke to him (1 Kings 19:11-13). We too need to discern, in all of these distractions, the voice of the Lord. His Word is alive in all of this, He is speaking clearly. We need to get to the frequency where we can hear Him.
Our weapons are mighty in God to pull down strongholds (2 Cor. 10:3-6). Do not allow distractions to rob you from who you are in Christ. Do not give alien voices a platform from which to speak. Submit to the Spirit of God, the Spirit of truth. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying. We create that ear by spending time in the Word of God and in the presence of God. Only then we can quiet the mind! We need to live Spirit-filled lives; we need to submit to the Spirit of truth. We need to come into alignment with His purposes for our lives. Our lives need to demonstrate this reality: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done in this earth”. If we do not connect to the plan of God, the enemy will connect us to his plan; there is no middle ground.
It ultimately comes down to two things: We can either be led by the Spirit or be led by the flesh. If you are born-again you are not immune to the needs of the flesh. The flesh is only interested in two things: provision and protection. We will fight in the marketplaces to get provision; that is the spirit of the orphan. We will hoard and not share. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Rom. 8:5-6).
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:2). It is not a once-off thing. Do not rely on past experiences. Pray for a fresh encounter with God. There is an intense war raging between the truth and the lie for full control over the mind. The truth or the lie will ultimately have full control over the mind. The one that controls our mind controls our destiny. What we devote ourselves to will determine which one will triumph.
Devote yourself to Christ the pattern Son. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Do not conform to the pattern of this world. Be transformed by having your mind renewed. The only way to replace the error of the world’s thinking is to replace it with the truth. There is no short cut. We must fill our mind with God’s word. Jesus prayed, Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth (John 17:17).
It is the indwelling life of Christ that enables us to truly put on the mind of Christ and be transformed in thought, desire, in motion, in nature and body into His likeness. This will impact every area of our lives. The whole of creation is expectantly waiting for the sons of God to be revealed, they are in travail. They want to taste and see a powerful manifestation of the life of God in the oneness of the corporate son. We have an example in the pattern Son. We need to stop battling what has already been conquered. Set your minds on the truth of God’s word. Gird up the loins of your mind. Take every thought captive and bring it to obedience to Christ.
Series: Hearing, Renewal of the Mind
Sunday am 19 February 2017 – Kobus Swart
Gen. 12:1-3; 1 Sam. 3:1-10; (Ex. 3:1-5); Num. 22:22-33; Isa. 30:21; Rom. 8:14; Phil. 2:13; (2 Cor. 11:14-15);
Acts 9:3-7; Rom. 12:1-2 (Amp); John 5:24-25 (Msg); (Col. 3:2); (1 Cor. 2:16); 1 Kings 19:1-19
It is not impossible for God to speak in a loud, clear voice, but the chances are that what you hear has come through your own paradigm and you interpret it that way. There is a mighty shift in the Church in general; God is shifting us from one level to another. That is why it is so important for us to hear from God and discern His voice. In the Old Testament God spoke directly to people, Abram is one example (Gen. 12:1-3). Moses heard a voice from the burning bush (Ex. 3:1-5). Another example is the boy Samuel. Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was. Being positioned correctly will help us discern the voice of God more easily (1 Sam. 3:1-10). Amidst the chaos of the world today, amidst the millions of voices and sounds, we need to discern the voice of God.
You may be in certain circumstances and you want to go forward but things do not move. You become angry, but in the meantime the Lord is standing in the way. But God was angry because he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as an adversary against him (Num. 22:22). God positioned Himself as an adversary against Balaam. Normally the name “adversary” is given to the devil. Balaam should have woken up when his donkey spoke to him. God forbid that any one of us have our eyes so closed in this season and so blinded that it takes a donkey or whatever vehicle or situation to speak to us. May the Lord open our ears to hear His voice when He speaks to us. There are so many people in difficult situations, what is God saying? Are you listening to what He is saying in the situation? Are we listening? Stop and listen to the voice of the Lord! Many Christians use Isa. 30:21 when referring to the voice of the Lord. It is not impossible that voices will be behind us at times, but I sense in the New Testament is that Christians who have the Holy Spirit on the inside, the voice is no longer behind you, the voice is within! Those who are sons of God are led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14). Spiritual maturity requires that you do not listen to a lot of outside voices, but the voice that is within you. God is at work in you to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).
There are conditions that will help you discern the voice within. God can speak to us through many things; He can speak to us through His servants prophetically, and it should be confirmed by the mouth of two or three witnesses. How about listening to the voice of God in difficult and painful situations? It is very easy to turn away, push it aside instead of listening. “Lord what are you saying under these circumstances?” Do you see His hand in what you are going through? Look for the hand of God in what you are going through. It is very important! Can we discern the voice of God among many voices which may include the voice of satan? He also has a voice; he comes as an angel of light. Satan is a religious spirit and his ministers as ministers of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:14-15). He is the accuser of the brethren, he is a divisive tongue. Can we discern the voice of God amidst these multiple voices? While some hear the voice of God, others just hear the noise. Paul’s eyes were opened and he took what God had to say but the others saw no-one (Acts 9:3-7).
What we need is the devotion of hearing, Jesus had that. Whatever He heard His father speak, He did (John 8:38). He was connected to His Father. He demonstrated what it was to have the devotion of hearing. We are trapped in busy-ness, trapped in tensions and stresses. We need to get away from it and be alone at times. Be by yourself with God. What hinders me from hearing God’s voice? My attention is somewhere else! Let us nurture this devotion of hearing. We need to make sure our mind is aligned with God’s mind. This is where the battleground is. There is something that needs to change constantly, not just a one-time experience but on-going one. There is an on-going renewal of the mind that has to take place (Rom. 12:1-2 – Amp). Do not go for second best if it is not the will of God. Set your mind on things above (Col. 3:2). We have the mind of Christ; it is a corporate experience (1 Cor. 2:16). Seek the hand of God even in the chaos of what is happening.
A living Word is vital, more than a sermon; a Word that will bring life (John 5:24-25-Msg).
Elijah destroyed a multitude of the false prophets. He had a walk with God and heard from God. Then Jezebel threatened to kill him by the next day. He ran for his life and went into the wilderness. How does the Lord get you out of depression? Arise and eat and go to the next level (1 Kings 19:1-19). While hiding in the cave, the storm came, but God was not in it. Then the earthquake came and after that the fire, but still God was not in it. Then came the still quiet voice of God…
These are valuable keys for when you find yourself in troubling and challenging situations, that you will not listen or be intimidated by the wrong voices. Elijah was intimidated by Jezebel. In the still, small breeze God spoke to him. The first thing Elijah did was he departed and found Elisha who was to be the son with the double portion. Take time in the quietness before the Lord and discern His voice. Listen to the voice of the Lord. In the multitude of voices God will give discernment of spirit, sensitive ears and circumcised heart. Then you can say like Samuel, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”
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Series: Renewal of the Mind
Sunday 26th July 2015 – Pastor Kobus Swart
There is hardly anybody who does not occasionally react or respond from some conditioning of the past. Our political and cultural history – for example, the racial divides of the past – left a lot of people with deep hurts which were built into the subconscious and can cause conditioned responses in certain conversations/circumstances. When we hear something or see something it triggers a response. Some responses go back to our childhood; the way you were treated at home or at school by teachers. That can leave scars in your deep inner being which will make you react in a certain way much later in life. Many, even Christians, are held hostage by their conditioned responses. Until those emotions have been dealt with you can expect certain reactions. Paul and his apostolic company knew how to deal with these mind-sets and conditioned responses in a church that was very problematic (2 Cor. 10:4-5). (more…)
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Series: Renewal of the Mind; Finished Works
Sun am 14 September 2014 – Kobus Swart
Ps. 23:7; (Matt. 1:15-17); 1 Cor. 12:12; 2 Cor. 5:16-17; John 19:30; Eph. 4:15; Rom. 6:11;
Heb. 10:10; (Rom. 8:1-2, 19); Matt. 25:41; 1 Cor. 12:27; Heb. 11:39-40; 1 Thess. 5:23;
(1 Cor. 9:24); (Ezek. 37:7-10); John 4:34-38; 2 Pet. 3:12; Ps. 42:7; Isa. 30:18; Rev. 10:6
The preceding Word will not impact your life unless it penetrates your heart and changes your mindset; otherwise it will go in one ear out the other and you leave unchanged. It has to be an encounter with truth, with the Word of God.
In this Word, we will shed further light on what is meant by the “finished works” of Jesus. The last words coming from His lips were: “It is finished” (John 19:30). (more…)
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Series: Renewal of the Mind
Sun am 7 September 2014 – Kobus Swart
(John 19:30); Acts 2:37-38; Rev. 1:4-5; Heb. 10:1-2; Rom. 6:11 (Message); Eph. 2:10 (Amplified);
Matt. 1:15-17; (2 Corinthians 5:16); Gen. 22:17-18; Gal. 3:16; John 12:21-25;
Rom. 8:28-29; 1 Cor. 12:12; (1 Cor. 9:24); (Heb. 11:39-40)
What does it mean to be “saved”? If you are saved and it does not affect your thinking, your life does not change. Many people have gone through the different steps and ways in which you “join” a church, read the Bible and pray. But it has to go deeper than that. It has to affect who you are.
In Acts 2 there was the outpouring of the Spirit of God. Then Peter began to speak the living Word which changed the lives of 3000 people. Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:37-38). (more…)
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Series: The Renewal of the Mind
Sun am 31 August 2014 – Justus Swart
Acts 17:28; Lam. 3:22-28; Matt. 10:8; Luke 5:15-16; Ps. 119:145-152; Heb. 10:25;
John 13:34-35; James 5:16; Ps. 38:18; (1 John 1:10); Rom. 10:8-10
Listening to God is the very first and most important thing that we need to be dedicating ourselves and our time to. He is the source of all things. In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28) and the simple act of sitting before God to listen is often overlooked. We over-spiritualize our lives and say, “God is with me in everything I do, so why do I need to sit down and take separate time with God?” How would it work if you tried doing that with other relationships in your life, with your spouse and your children, with your best friend or even your employer? We need to nurture our relationship with God. It is something that is alive and has to grow and be fed. It is something that demands attention. He is a jealous God and He wants all of you. (more…)
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Series: Renewal of the Mind
Sun am 24th August 2014 – Pastor Kobus Swart
Phil. 4:6-7; (Mark. 12:41-44); Phil. 2:5-8; (Prov. 16:18); (Rom. 12:2); 2 Cor. 5:17-19;
2 Cor. 10:4-6; Rom. 8:28-29; Matt. 6:9-13; 2 Pet. 1:3; Matt. 16:13-20; (Matt. 10:40);
(Ex. 3:13-14); (John 18:4-6); Prov. 23:7
The essence of who we are is usually reflected in our thought life. Thoughts affect your brain chemistry and soon it can impact your emotions and even your physical body. We all go through stages in life, challenges and pain. If we are not careful, especially in negative challenges, our thoughts can cause us to go into depression. That is why we have to guard against what our thoughts absorb. We have to practice what the Word says.Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7). (more…)
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Series: Renewal of the Mind; Consciousness
Sun am 3rd August 2014 – Kobus Swart
Prov. 23:7; (Rom. 12:2); John 1:1, 14; (Gen. 1:1-2); (Luke 1:28-35); (Mark 16:14);
(1 Cor. 15:53); Prov. 3:5-6; 2 Tim. 1:7 (Amplified); Phil. 4:8; (Ps. 42-Amplified)
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Prov. 23:7). What does that mean? Could it be referring to the “heart of the mind”? We are not talking about the physical organs such as the heart and brain in our body. It is something far bigger and deeper!
We have also grown up to believe that the brain controls who we are, but it is not true. The brain is responsive to something else. When I talk about the mind I am not talking about the brain. Your mind is something other than your brain. (more…)
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Series: Kingdom of God; Renewing of the Mind
Sunday am 28 October 2012 – Kobus Swart
Matt. 13:10-19; Mark 1:15; Luke 17:21; (Luke 10:9); Matthew 6:10; John 16:33; John 18:36; Col. 1:12-13, (John 17:21); Matthew 18:1-4; Matt. 13:19; Ephesians 1:10-11, Col. 1:12-13 (Ampl), 1 Peter 1:3-5,
Numbers 18:20, Psalm 16:5-6; (Acts 14:22); (Mark 4:39); (Rev. 11:15)
Theme: We have to experience the continually unfolding understanding of the kingdom of God: repent and believe the gospel, change the way you think about the kingdom. The kingdom of God has nothing to do with a specific date in the future; it does not come with signs to be observed; it is in you. The kingdom of God has come in and with Jesus two thousand years ago. To experience it we must become like a child. (more…)
Series: Renewal of the Mind
Sun am 22nd January 2012 – Kobus Swart
Matt. 5:1-8; (Eph. 4:23); 2 Cor. 10:5; (Prov. 23:7); (Rom. 8:14); Gen. 1:26-27; Job 38:4-7;
Eccl. 3:11; Col. 1:27; Col. 3:2; Phil. 2:13
The renewal of the mind is not just learning new concepts or principles, or changing terminology. Paul says in Eph. 4:23, “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”
The brain is where there are a hundred billion connections between cells (synapsis). It is here where mindsets are formed, and when that happens, it blocks you from receiving new insight. Paul suggested a way to deal with such mindsets. We aredestroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). It comes by impartation, sometimes by repeated impartation. The reason why it is important to listen to a Word more than once is because of the resistance of old concepts in your mind and intellect. Your mind always wants to take dominance. Your intellect wants to be boss. That’s where rebellion comes from. It is the intellect trying to step in and block renewal from coming to you.
Series: The True Image Restored; Renewal of the Mind
Sun am 18 December 2011 – Kobus Swart
(Eph. 4:23); (Prov. 23:7); 2 Thess. 2:3-4; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 6:16;
Rom. 8:5-8; Col. 3:1-2; Phil. 4:4-7; Isa. 9:7
When the apostle Paul said, “Be renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Ephes 4:23), he touched a fundamental principle that needs a lot more attention in the times we live. The spirit of the mind has more to do with our sub-conscious mind. How often does the average Christian switch off the TV, the radio, the phone and just get in touch with his/her inner person?
Most people – and too often that include “believers” – base their actions and responses upon impressions and signals absorbed in their conscious minds, from the news, cross-currents and energies from the world around us. There is a need for us to shift consciousness. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God (Rom 8:14). (more…)
Series: Renewal of the mind; The kingdom of God
Sun am 31 July 2011 – Kobus Swart
Jn 6:63; 2 Cor. 3:6; Matt. 6:10; Acts 3:19-21; John 1:1-12, 14; Isa. 55:11; Heb. 2:10; Rev. 19:11-16;
Matt. 15:1-6, 32; Matt. 13:52; Prov. 23:10; Matt. 8:28-34
“When you spend time soaking in the word of God, there comes a point when you’re consumed with the revelation of God – His ways and His promises. When you speak, your words are permeated with the truth of God, because it’s living inside of you. You can no longer find the point where your thoughts stop and the Word of God begins, because all your thinking has been renewed by the Word. That’s what it means to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”