HEBREWS 9:12-14: “He entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?” CSB

OBSERVATION: Am I winning the battle of the mind? Are my thoughts more in agreement with my spirit or with my flesh? Is there anything that can help me in this seemingly endless battle?

The usual answer to these questions focuses on things that need to do. We know that we are to renew our minds through the Word of God. We also know that we are to take every thought that rises against the knowledge of God – captive in obedience to Jesus Christ. Yet, we often forget the most important thing. It is not what we do – it is what Christ has already done for us!

To simply approach the battle of the mind from the perspective of what we do is to stay in the provision of the Old Covenant. The sacrifices of the Old Covenant had to be repeated over and over again. Why? Because they simply covered the sin, they did not remove it. Therefore, they had to be repeated – over and over again!

When we approach the battle of the mind through the things we do, we find that we have to repeat the battle over and over gain, much like the Old Testament sacrifices. Yet, if we approach the battle of the mind through the provision of Jesus Christ, we not only gain a new perspective, but we enter into a new provision.

The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. It also is the provision to enter into a new way of living and thinking. In fact, the reality is, we are not even able to enter into the battle of the mind without the blood of Jesus Christ. For, it is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses our conscience from dead works and gives us the freedom to serve the living God!

What does this mean? It means we are not trying to create a new mind, we are called to begin to live in the new mindset that God has given us through the blood of Jesus Christ. This takes a little time to sink in. It runs counter to the way we are wired. Yet, this is exactly what God’s Word says!

• “…how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works so that we can serve the living God?”

When we abide in the Word of God our minds are not renewed because of what we are doing. Our minds are being renewed because Jesus Christ has given us a new mind and a new heart that now has the capability of knowing and understanding the truth. Without this provision through the blood of Jesus Christ we would never be able to enter into this battle and win.

Yet, we can win this battle! It is our recreative destiny. It is the highest call of the mind to pursue the things of God. And the transforming and cleansing power of the blood of Christ has given us the provision that allows us to enter this pursuit. We are no longer bound by a mindset that is tied to this world or our sinful nature. We have been lifted up and been given a new destiny and a new way to think and live!

• “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 CSB

• “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 CSB

• “But the person without the Spirit does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, and yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 CSB

Lord, this morning, I thank you for the provision of Your blood which cleanses my mind from dead works and gives me the capacity to serve you in the newness of the Spirit. Grant me the grace to align my mind with the provision You have already given. Help me to walk today with the mind of Christ!

In Jesus Name!