1pe 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

matt 22:37 Jesus said to him," `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'

I. Guard Access to your Mind

2cor 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

1pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Four things to guard against:

1. False Teaching

   2jo 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;

   2cor 11:3, 4

   3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

   4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted-- you may well put up with it!

    

2. Temptation

   Matt 26:41 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

   Psa 101:3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

    

3. Pride

rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

dan 5:20 "But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.

1pe 5:5, 6

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

acts 20:19 "serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;

col 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

phil 2:5-8

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

4. mental fatigue

mark 6:31 And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

2. Never Stop Learning

Prov 19:8

8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good.

Prov 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Three essential attitudes:

1. openness

   Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

    

2. humility

Prv 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.

3.       enthusiasm

col 3:23

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

2. Schedule Time to Think

   1th 4:11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

   Prov 23:19 Hear, my son, and be wise; and guide your heart in the way.

    

3. Develop a Learning Plan

2ti 4:13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come-- and the books, especially the parchments.

Four kinds of learning material:

1. poison

   rom 16:19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.

   psa 101:3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

    

2. stuffing

   1cor 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.

    

3. brain food

   phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-- meditate on these things.

    

4. spirit food

psa 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!

josh 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

2. Spend time with wise people

   Prov 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

    

3. Learn to Ask Questions

   Prov 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

    

4. Write Down Ideas

   Heb 2:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

    

5. Take advantage of wasted moments.

Eph 5:15-16

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,

16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Based on sermon notes by J. Don George on 1/9/05, Irving, TX