What Kind of Mind do you have? - 2 Corinthians 4:4

August 16, 2026

What Kind of Mind do you have? #

Introduction

We have been looking at what the Bible says about the mind. There are a lot of helpful verses that cover the topic. We examined Isaiah 26:3

Isaiah 26:3 — Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

We looked at

Philippians 4:8 —8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Tonight, we are going to look at a few passages, but all of them pertain to the mind. We will see what the Bible says about our minds. There are at least 4 minds that we will look at tonight.

I. A Condemned Mind #

2 Corinthians 4:4 — In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

A. The blinded mind (2 Cor 4:4) #

  • It is important for us to understand, the world doesn’t think like us!
  • They mind is blinded

i. Blinded to and by sin #

    • Lost people do not feel bad about sinning… unless you and the Holy Spirit are around to convict them.
    • IF they were taught a moral standard… they may feel bad about it.
    • Society sets a moral standard, that is why it is so important to legalize things.
    • Lost knows the moral standard for Christians, sometimes better than christians

ii. Blinded by religion #

    • Many religions create a false reality, in which a lost person believes they are ok with God, and they still enjoy their sin, without conviction, because they are not saved!

B. Reprobate Mind (Romans 1:28) #

Reprobate – a person abandoned to sin; one lost to virtue and religion

i. Rejected God and truth #

  • Thinking about God, condemns them… and they know that! – “did not like to retain God in their knowledge”

ii. God gave them over – Have it your way, do what you want! – Wicked sins, preceding and following verses. #

C. Glorious Gospel of Christ is the answer! #

i. The Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives! #

Romans 1:16 — For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

II. The Carnal Mind (Romans 8:5-8) #

A. Thinking after fleshly things! #

  • Being consumed with everything that is in the world, and forsaking the things of God for the things of this world.
  • That is carnal minded.

Matthew 6:30–33 —30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

i. Prioritize Spiritual things “seek ye FIRST” #

B. Spiritual minded brings life and peace! (Rom 8:6) #

Isaiah 26:3 — Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

  • The Carnal mind focuses on the things of this world as his first priority, not on God!

III. The Corrupted Mind #

A. Christian minds can be corrupted (2 Cor 11:1-4) #

Corrupt as a verb means – to become putrid, to putrefy, to rot.

  • The idea of a good food going bad. Potatoes, vegetables, fruit in a bag.

    • It started good, but went bad!

B. Preaching and teaching to counter corruption! (Eph 4:11-14) #

  • There is a lot of false teaching… it usually starts by changing the Bible, and goes down hill from there. Calvinism, “Liberty” in Christ…. Etc.

IV. The Converted Mind (Romans 12:2) #

Renewed – made new again; repaired.

  • If you could take that rotten potato, and make it whole, as good as new it would be a miracle.
  • God works miracles, and changes your thought process!

A. Recognize worldly thinking #

i. The philosophy of the world is completely against God! #

  • Christian education is important!

  • Public school does not promote spiritual thinking at all.

    • Homeschool or consider christian education.
    • Have devotions at home, and teach spiritual thinking at home!

B. Renew your mind #

i. Be in the Word of God every day! #

  • You are in the world every day, balance the wickedness of the world with the washing of the Word!

Psalm 119:9 — Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

ii. Do not let down your guard! #

  • Walk in the light!
  • Recognize that worldly philosophy is constantly invading your mind

Psalm 119:105 — Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

iii. Ask God for HELP! #

  • It amazes me how little we Ask God…

Matthew 7:7–8 —7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Tags: Mind Sin Salvation Corrupt