A Servant God Approves #6: the Mind of a Servant

“A SERVANT GOD APPROVES #6: THE MIND OF A SERVANT”

2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-7

INTRO: For us to be A SERVANT GOD APPROVES it is necessary for us to

think as much like Christ as we possibly can. Our minds must

operate on a different plane than others around us. Paul tells us in

Romans 12:1-2 how we can accomplish this–“I beseech you therefore,

brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living

sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

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.” Believers are to experience a

complete transformation from the inside out. And the change must

begin in the mind, where all thoughts and actions begin...One of the

keys, then, to the Christian life is to be involved in activities that renew

the mind. Renewing...refers to a new way of thinking, a mind desiring

to be conformed to God rather than to the world. We will never be

truly transformed without this renewing of our mind. —(Life

Living differently begins with thinking differently. A life that is

characterized by serving others begins in a mind that is convinced of

such a life. That explains why that great section of Scripture

describing Christ’s willingness to take upon Himself the form of a

servant begins with the word: “Let this mind be in you, which was also

in Christ Jesus...” (Phil. 2:5). Jesus’ life of serving was the outworking

of His mind–“unsqueezed” by the world system in all its

selfishness–and remains, our example to follow. For us to be true

servants, our minds must be renewed (Charles R. Swindoll. Improving

Your Serve. p. 85). Worldly thinking will lead to worldly actions.

Spiritual thinking will lead to spiritual service. Our mind-set will truly

determine our manner of life. Paul said in Romans 8:5–“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.” To be “after the flesh” is to be

carnally minded. Sadly today, many Christians are carnally minded

instead of spiritually minded. Many believers today “mind the things of

the flesh” instead of “the things of the Spirit.” In 2 Corinthians 10:1-7

Paul gives us help as we face this battle for the mind that takes place

within us on a daily basis. A SERVANT GOD APPROVES must have a

renewed mind. I want you to note three things with me tonight as we

consider THE MIND OF A SERVANT...

(1) THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A CARNAL MIND

2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-7—“Now I Paul myself beseech you by the

meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base

among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech

you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence,

wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if

we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are

not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of

strongholds;) 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; And having in a

readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is

fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any

man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this

again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.”

THE CARNAL MIND HAS:

A. A SELFISH OUTLOOK. Paul asks in v7—“Do ye look on things after the

outward appearance?” Even though the Corinthians were believers they

operated in the realm of the flesh instead of the realm of the Spirit because

they had a secular outlook. They valued spiritual gifts and sought the best

gifts and they looked down on anyone who did not possess as “prized” a gift

as they had. They were carried away with appearances. They were satisfied

with show and parade. They sought to glorify self instead of glorifying the

Savior with the gifts bestowed to them. Friends, is this not how the carnal

mind operates, placing the greatest emphasis on SELF instead of on the

SAVIOR? They were carnal, natural in their thinking. Note five

characteristics Paul gives us that display their carnal mindset:

PREJUDICED INSTEAD OF OBJECTIVE (v2). Paul says here, “Some…think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.” Paul “walked in the flesh” (that is, had all the weaknesses of the body), but he did not war after the flesh by depending on wisdom, human abilities, or physical prowess…There was disobedience in Corinthian because Christians were believing lies instead of the truth of God’s Word (Warren W. Wiersbe. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on The New Testament. p. 503). They were prejudiced in the fact that they believed that Paul in his ministry was acting like a man who had worldly ends in view and would use any means necessary to accomplish what he desired.

FOCUSED ON THE VISIBLE INSTEAD OF THE INVISIBLE (v3). The Corinthians trusted in appearances. I look and act spiritual so I must be spiritual they proclaimed. But friends, spirituality does not come from the outside but from the inside out. It is an overflowing of what God had done within our hearts! Because they judged by appearance they always lived to give a good appearance.

RELIANCE ON HUMAN STRENGTH INSTEAD OF DIVINE POWER (v4). The Corinthians relied on human strength, wisdom, and power to serve God. But all true service relies on divine power. Paul freely admitted that he was human. Paul lived in a human body that was susceptible to all kinds of difficulties, oversights, and weaknesses. Yet he refused to admit that he waged spiritual war with human plans and methods. —(Life Application Bible Commentary. WORDsearch 7.0. Copyright 2005. WORDsearch Corp. All Rights Reserved).

DEPENDENCE ON MAN INSTEAD OF ON GOD (v5). Paul mentions many things here which the carnal mind rests in. All of these come from a secular and worldly outlook. It is a choice to depend on the wisdom of man over the wisdom of Almighty God.

PERCEIVED THINGS SUPERFICIALLY INSTEAD OF DEEPLY (v7). The word “superficial” means “of, lying near, or forming the surface; affecting only the surface. Marked by partial knowledge.” (Funk & Wagnall’s Standard Desk Dictionary. Volume 2, N-Z. p. 678). Friends, this was what the Corinthian believers were doing. They were only looking at the surface of things. They were not digging deeper to search out and find the truth. Does that not describe the thinking of many believers today? They believe what they hear without ever checking it out to see if it is true. Friends, how dangerous this is! How devastating it can be to our growth in grace! That is why we must gauge everything we hear by the Word of God (1 John 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:15).

B. A SINFUL OUTLOOK. As Paul wrote in Romans 12:2the Corinthians

were “conformed to this world.” Warren Wiersbe said, “Every Christian is

either a conformer, living for and like the world, or a transformer, daily

becoming more like Christ.” (Warren W. Wiersbe. Wiersbe’s Expository

Outlines on The New Testament. p. 399). Because the Corinthian believers

were allowing their minds to be “molded, shaped, and fashioned” like the

world, they had a sinful outlook. In fact, as you read Paul’s two letters to

the Corinthians, there are times you may have began to wonder if they were

even part of the family of God. Paul wrote of them in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3—

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto

carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with

meat: for hitherto ye were not able tobear it, neither yet now are ye able. For

ye are yet carnal: for whereas thereis among you envying, and strife, and

divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” They fought with each

other, they criticized Paul and his ministry, they competed against each

other, and they allowed gross immorality to be in their midst and winked at

it. Friends, these are all signs of a carnal, sinful outlook!

ILLUS: "The great hindrance in thehearts of God's children to the power of the

Holy Spirit isinbred sin -- that dark, defiant, evil something within

Thatstruggles for the mastery of the soul, and will not submit tothe

meek and lowly and patient and forbearing and holy as wasJesus;

and when the Holy Spirit comes, His first work is tosweep away that

something, that carnal principle, and make freeand clean all the

channels of the soul." -Samuel Logan Brengle (Bible Illustrator For

Friends, as Romans 8:7tells us—“…the carnal mind is enmity against God…”. If you are going to be A SERVANT GOD APPROVES you must be “…transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove whatis that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” We have looked at THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A CARNAL MIND but let us also see…

(2) THE COMBATANTS OF THE CHRISTIAN MIND

2 CORINTHIANS 10:4-5—“(For the weapons of our warfare are not

carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)

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.”

A. THE WARFARE. Paul mentions “our warfare” in v4. Friends, there truly

is a battle going on for our minds. Daily, we are bombarded with voices,

thoughts, philosophies, and ideas which try to keep us from hearing God’s

voice. There are many mental barriers that attempt to block out God’s

directives and counsel. I want us to note four “combatants” of the Christian

mind that Paul mentions in these verses:

IMAGINATIONS. “Casting down imaginations.” Our word translated imaginations comes from a Greek word that means “reasonings.” This refers to thoughts and imaginations that are uncontrolled, wild, evil, lustful, immoral, unjust, wrong, untrue, devilish, and set against God.—(Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible – Commentary. WORDsearch 7.0. Copyright 2005. WORDsearch Corp. All Rights Reserved).

IMPUDENCE. “Every high thing that exalteth itself.” These refer to the grand philosophies of man. Those “high” and “deep” thoughts found in man’s wisdom. False ideas about God, false doctrine, false teaching, false reasonings; the human pride and arrogance, self-sufficiency and self-righteousness that set themselves up against God—(Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible – Commentary. WORDsearch 7.0. Copyright 2005. WORDsearch Corp. All Rights Reserved). 1 Corinthians 3:19tells us—“the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God…”.

INTELLECTUALISM. “Every…that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God…”. Paul here does not attack intelligence, but intellectualism. The feeling of many that they know more than they actually do. That they have it all figured out. It is the spirit of being unteachable.

IMPOSSIBILITY. “Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Many times we hear the Word of God and in our minds think, “NO WAY!” When God’s Word encourages us to more giving, we think of a thousand reasons it cannot be done. When God’s Word encourages us to be more loving, we believe it is an impossibility. When God’s Word commands us to be “forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you,” we loudly proclaim, “IT CAN’T BE DONE!”

Friends, these are the combatants we all face in our quest to A SERVANT GOD APPROVES. But notice God has given us some resources for this battle. Let us look at…

B. THE WEAPONS. Paul tells us in vv. 3-4—“For though we walk in the flesh,

we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,

but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)”. Thank God, in

this warfare for our minds we don’t have to fight in our own power! Paul

says, “…the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through

God..”. What are these weapons we can employ against the Enemy and the

evil thoughts he bombards us with:

PRAYER (Ephesians 6:18). “Prayer is the greatest weapon God had given us! But it seems, we are all too “busy” to use the mightiest weapon God has given us…”—J. Sidlow Baxter (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 158).

THE WORD OF GOD (2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:15). It is our SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, because it is our guard andguide. The opinions and suppositions of men soon fail, but God’s Word abides forever! (Isaiah 40:8).

THE HOLY SPIRIT(2 Timothy 1:7). He enables, encourages, and enlightens us! It is through Him that the battle is enjoined!

FAITH(1 John 5:4-5). “If we cannot believe God when circumstances are against us, we do not believe Him at all.”—Charles H. Spurgeon (Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. p. 68).

THE LORD’S PRESENCE AND POWER(Psalm 107:8). In Joshua 1:9God told Joshua—“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Friends, God is always there for us. In the heat of our spiritual battles, His POWER and PRESENCE are available to us to strengthen us, encourage us, and enable us to overcome whatever the Enemy throws at us!

We have considered THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CARNAL MIND and THE COMBATANTS OF THE CHRISTIAN MIND but let us finally see…

(3) THE COMPLIMENTS TO THE CHRISTIAN MIND

2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5—“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not

war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,

but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) 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.”

When we speak of something being a compliment to something we mean it is a “gift or benefit” to that something. As God’s truth penetrates our lives, removing those mental barriers which restrict God’s direction and counsel, we receive some wonderful blessings:

A. THE POWER EVIDENCED. Paul mentions the power we enjoy to overcome

these obstacles in v4. This is not our own power but God’s power working

in our lives! Paul says this power is “mighty through God to the pulling down

of strongholds.” A SERVANT GOD APPROVES has a dynamic perspective

on life and the divine power to live that life! When Jesus Christ takes

control of our minds, bringing every thought captive to Him….we operate

with supernatural power. We walk under God’s complete control…That

explains how wrongs can be forgiven, and how offenses can be forgotten,

and how objectives can be pursued day in and day out without our quitting.

It’s divine power. God promises that He will pour His power into us (Phil. 4:

13) and supply all we need if we simply will operate under His full control.

(Charles R. Swindoll. Improving Your Serve. pp. 91-92). Ephesians 3:20-21

says—“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that

we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory

in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

I want us to notice the words there “according to the power that worketh in

us,” Friends, that’s DIVINE POWER. That is what we need!

B. THE PRINCIPLE EXPRESSED. When we operate with a Christian mind

that is under God’s control we serve God without hypocrisy, competition, or

comparison. Listen what Paul writes in vv. 11-12—“Let such a one think

this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will

webe also in deed when we are present. For we dare not make ourselves of

the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but

they measuring themselves by themseves, and comparing themselves

among themselves, are not wise.” The principle expressed here in these

verses are:

NO HYPOCRISY.

NO COMPETITION.

NO COMPARISON.

ILLUS: GOD'S STANDARD

Paul criticized the false teachers who were trying to prove their

goodness by comparing themselves with others rather than with

God's standards (10:12). Those who compare themselves with

others may feel pride because they think they're better. But when

measured against God's standards, it becomes obvious that no one