Changing the Culture in Our Mind—July 21 Bible Reading Plan - Denise Pass

Changing the Culture in Our Mind

What we focus on determines how we live. Changing the culture in our mind, changes our focus and our life. In our reading today, Paul is speaking to the church at Colossae, reminding them that if they are believers in Jesus Christ, they need to have a mindset change.

Bible Reading of the Day: Colossians 3-4   

Colossians 3:1-10

“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.

6 Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient, 7 and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. 8 But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.”

Notice where the focus is on things above, not things below. But how do we put away anger, wrath, malice, slander, lying, and filthy language from your mouth?

We need to renew our mindset. As it says in :10, “Put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.” The NLT says in v. 10, “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. ”

Changing the Culture in Our Mind—Changing Our Focus

What we focus on is what we become like. Whatever was in our past does not have to be our future. We have a choice. What we are doing here . . . getting into God’s word daily . . . is revolutionary. It will change our lives when we renew our mind daily in God’s word.

Changing the Culture in Our Mind—Being a Hearer and a Doer

If we are unaffected by God’s word and don’t respond to what we are hearing, we are accountable for the words we hear and do not live by. Choosing to be in God’s word daily helps to shift the culture in our own mind so we can recognize truth.

Scripture of the Day: Colossians 3:12-15

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

Changing the Culture In Our Mind—Putting on and Putting Off

After we put off the ways of the flesh, we need to put on the ways of God in our lives. This is not so easy. But it is by immersing our mind in God’s word that we change the culture within our own mind and become more like Christ.

Verse 13 is so key to putting on Christlikeness, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

When we become offended and let our flesh rise up, we cannot put on Christlikeness.

Colossians 3:16 brings it all together, “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”

The CSB translation says it this way: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Application

Stuck in your past and feel like you cannot be like Christ? We don’t have to be stuck in our ways. God is able to change us to be more like Him. It is by immersing our mind in God’s word that we change the culture within our own mind and become more like Christ.

7-Fold One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Day #203: Colossians 3-4

Scripture of the Day: Colossians 3:12-15

Listen: https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/Col.3

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