07.28.13 RENOVATION OF THE HEART - THOUGHTS AND ...

Thoughts and Feelings

RENOVATION OF THE HEART

The three uses of the Law:


The three uses of the Law: 1.

a curb


The three uses of the Law: 1. 2.

a curb a mirror


The three uses of the Law: 1. 2. 3.

a curb a mirror a measure


“Choice is where sin dwells.” -- Dallas Willard


“Self-esteem is a liability.” -- Bill Wilson


Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?


The Mind = Thoughts + Feelings


Thoughts = All of the ways we are conscious of things.


Determine orientation of everything we do.


Evoke the feelings that frame our world and motivate our actions.


Change your ideas.


Change your ideas.

• Replace.


Change your ideas.

• Replace. • Ask, “What lies and I believing?”


Change your ideas.

• Replace. • Ask, “What lies and I believing?” • Construct ideals with God.


Change images.


“That our idea of God corresponds as nearly as possible to the true being of God is of immense importance to us. Compared with our actual thoughts about Him, our creedal statements are of little consequence. Our real idea of God may lie buried under the rubbish of conventional religious notions and may require an intelligent and vigorous search before it is finally unearthed and exposed for what it is. Only after an ordeal of painful self-probing are we likely to discover what we actually believe about God.


A right conception of God is basic not only to systematic theology but to practical Christian living as well. It is to worship what the foundation is to the temple; where it is inadequate or out of plumb the whole structure must sooner or later collapse. I believe there is scarcely an error in doctrine or a failure in applying Christian ethics that cannot be traced finally to imperfect and ignoble thought about God.” -- A.W. Tozer


2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.


Deliverance from destructive ideas and images


Deliverance from destructive ideas and images 1. Information


Deliverance from destructive ideas and images 1. Information 2. Spiritual formation requires thinking


“Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.” -- A.W. Tozer


3. Worship


Galatians 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.


Feelings are blind and powerful.


Humanity’s greatest idol is feelings.


The end of idolatry = Let God be God.


“They know and deeply accept that their feelings, of whatever kind, do not have to be fulfilled.” -- Dallas Willard


James 4:1-2 1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.


“The addict is one who, in one way or another, has given in to a feeling of one kind or another and has placed it in the position of ultimate value in his or her life.” -- Dallas Willard


Contentment is not desire fulfillment but living with purpose.


Love, Joy, Peace


The foundation of love is hope and faith.

Thoughts and Feelings