Note 14 at Eph. 4:23: The word "spirit" here is not designating the Holy Spirit or even our born-again spirit. In fact, it is not referring to a part of us at all. It is speaking of our attitude. The NIV translates this as, "be made new in the attitude of your mind." Strong's Concordance says that the Greek word PNEUMA, which was translated "spirit" in this verse, can mean "mental disposition." That's the way it is used here.

So Paul is saying we not only have to reprogram our minds with new information, but we have to allow these new truths to change our attitudes. Synonyms for attitude are: "outlook, feeling, sentiment, disposition" (New Am. Her. Dict.). Our perspectives have to change.

Many people have heard biblical truths and can recall them, but often they don't dwell upon them to the degree that it changes their attitude. For instance, you can know that it is God's will to prosper you financially, but if you don't start seeing yourself with your needs met, then your attitude hasn't changed. A poverty attitude will cause you to stay poor even though you know God wants you to prosper.

So, it is not good enough to just learn facts from God's Word and store those facts so we can recall them. We have to meditate on the truths of God's Word until our outlook, feelings, sentiments, and disposition have been renewed to God's way of thinking.