Snares From Our Past

.... In our previous posting we discussed the ‘process’ by which our minds are renewed to new, Christ-like thoughts; but at the same time, some of the old information that is still useful may be drawn upon and replicated into our new man. We are in this world but not of it, so this is legitimate in many ways. To explain this in further detail, we used the analogy of the ‘dupe’ key, and gave some legitimate examples.
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.... But this same process can be misused, and even abused, as the wrong type of old information is renewed in us, resulting in a great deal of harm to ourselves. For example, let’s say that you were somehow reminded of a past conflict, began to muse on it, and even allowed yourself to become moody about it. Over the next several days, you returned to those thoughts often (dupe). You thought about the conflicts this episode caused (dupe). You mused upon the shame, the anger, the resentment, or any other emotions that may have been brought up through it (dupe). Because you called these things back to your mind repeatedly, you'll begin to rebuild those old conflicts in your new man:

.... "And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return."

(Hebrews 11:15)

.... Or let’s say again that you had a habitual sin in your life before coming to Jesus. As a new Christian you begin to muse on that old sin, to wonder if it was really so bad after all; to think in terms of making an exception and giving yourself one last treat, or of holding something back from God. Your thought may be that maybe you’be been rushing things too much; maybe you’re not yet ready and so . . . (dupe – yes, you really would be duped!)

.... "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

(Romans 8:6)

.... Sin, itself, will try to deceive you in such ways, to offer you all the excuses you’ll need (Romans 7:11). If you listen and make allowances, and deceive yourself thereby, you could easily find yourself rebuilding an old struggle into your life that was truly conquered through the cross and left behind. It may actually be revived in this way, and it’s image rebuilt in you (Romans 7:9). And Jesus will not be re-crucified for you this time; now you'll find it much more difficult to deal with than it need ever have been.
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.... So when old emotions or thought patterns come to your mind, you must learn not to yield to them, but to ‘write over’ them with new information. You must seek to understand Jesus’ heart, mind and counsel on the same subjects:

.... "that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."

(Ephesians 4:22-24)

.... As the Holy Spirit ministers to you, He will guide you into replacing your old thoughts with new, Christ-like thoughts on the same subjects, which He will show you from the Scriptures. In a living way, these thoughts will be written in your heart and mind to replace the last shadows of your former thoughts, so that your mind may be renewed in full.

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Daily Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 11