The Importance of A Renewed Mind

Hey Family,

Just finished opening our freezer to get some ice and found myself craving an ice-cream sandwich (ego waffles with ice-cream in the middle).  Mind you, I haven't had one of these in years but after a great lunch, not feeling hungry at all, I could feel myself almost salivating.  Why this response?  Why this craving?  Why does my body constantly want to do what is most harmful to me and resists the things that are most helpful (healthy eating, exercise, sleep, even leaning into a quite moment with a loved one).  As I thought about this (and walked away from the freezer empty handed), a number of scriptures began pouring over me:

Philippians 3:18-21

18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Corinthians 10:5

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

And a few things started to become clear (at least I am asking the Lord if they are true).  We live in a fallen body that craves the things of this world and we are called to make it "a living sacrifice".  So how do we make our bodies a living sacrifice... We give it to God. We invite his strength and discernment to guide our decisions. And through these victories (making our bodies slave to His will not the cravings of this world), we begin to have a renewed mind.  We begin to learn how to capture every thought. To make them obedient to Christ. The veil of physical and spiritual malaise is lifted and we can begin to see with renewed clarity and stamina that our every thought, our every decision, effects us mind, body and spirit.

So back to that ice-cream sandwich.  Is there anything innately evil about an ice-cream sandwich?  No.  What is wrong is when we have uncaptured thoughts, make decisions without examining them, and without asking God... is this of you?