Podcast Summary: “Growing Up Spiritually, Part Three”

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host/Speaker: Nancy Dufresne
Episode: Jesus the Healer Broadcast
Date: January 22, 2021

Episode Overview

In this intimate episode broadcast from her family ranch in Colorado, Pastor Nancy Dufresne continues the "Growing Up Spiritually" teaching series. She focuses on the importance of spiritual maturity, particularly through the foundational practices of renewing the mind and submitting the body to God. Using practical analogies and personal stories, she emphasizes how believers can close the door to the devil and walk in the full inheritance available in Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Foundations of Spiritual Growth

• Foundational Truths: Nancy stresses the necessity of revisiting and strengthening foundational teachings, not just pursuing exciting messages about miracles or prosperity.
• Analogy: Like inspecting the foundation of a house, believers must ensure their spiritual foundation is strong to sustain a victorious life.
  • “No matter what beautiful design elements and finishes are put in the home, if the foundation is compromised, that home is not going to be a safe place to live.” (02:15)

2. Romans 12:1-2 — The Renewed Mind & Submitted Body

• Scripture Reading ([03:03]):

  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind...”

• Key Principle:
  • God gives a new spirit at salvation, but believers are responsible for submitting their bodies and renewing their minds.
  • “A submitted body and a renewed mind: if we will submit our bodies to God, renew our minds with the Word of God, no matter what the devil throws at us, he cannot take us off course.” (04:15)

3. Spiritual Maturity: From Baby to Fullness

• Stages of Growth:
  • Just as people grow from infancy to maturity physically, believers must develop spiritually. Staying a spiritual child limits one’s inheritance and authority.
• Reference:
  • Galatians 3:29-4:1 explained ([09:00]): Even as heirs, if we remain immature, “we’re going to be living like a servant when we should be living like the Master.” (11:00)
• Key Insight:
  • Only through renewal and discipline can believers walk in the “fullness of what God has for us.”

4. Capacity for Revelation

• 1 Corinthians 2:14, Amplified ([13:10]):
  • The spiritually immature cannot accept or process deeper spiritual truths, much like a first grader cannot comprehend a calculus textbook.

    “If we remain spiritual babies... there are revelations that God may have for us to walk in, but we can’t even accept them.”

• Analogy:
  • Maturity brings spiritual “skill”—in prayer, faith, receiving healing/provision, and ministering.

5. The Local Church & Pastoral Ministry

• Unique Role of the Church:
  • Only the local church promotes the renewing of the mind; entertainment or social spaces (mall, theater, etc.) do not.
• Participation Required:
  • “Just attending church will not renew your mind... you have to receive, you have to draw, you have to have such value on the Word.” (22:45)
• Active Engagement:
  • It’s not enough to be physically present. Engaged listening, application (“doing your homework”), and confession of the Word are essential for growth.
• Pastor as Spiritual Teacher:
  • “A Christian will not spiritually advance without a pastor. You need a pastor in your life—they are part of this spiritual development.” (28:00)
  • The devil seeks to separate believers from their pastor/church because a renewed mind “is a closed door to the devil.” (29:40)
• Ephesians 4—Five-Fold Ministries:
  • All five office gifts are important, but the pastor is “the most important office in the life of a believer because... [they] are going to help you with that process of renewing your mind and growing up spiritually.” (32:45)

6. Signs of Spiritual Maturity

• Likeness to Jesus:
  • Maturity = thinking and acting like Jesus.
  • “The more our thoughts and actions are in line with Him and the example He left us, then we know that we’re maturing.” (34:30)
  • “You’re the son of God. Jesus was set as our example... He is our example of what true spiritual maturity looks like.”

7. The Renewed Mind: Closing the Door to the Devil

• Real-Life Example:
  • Nancy shares an experience of praying for someone tormented by negative thoughts. The solution was not an exorcism, but giving that person the Word—a specific scripture to answer the enemy’s suggestions ([36:50]).
  • “A renewed mind, you learn to answer for yourself. You’re not relying on someone else... if you’ll get the Word in you, the Word will run them out.” (40:00)
• Action Steps:
  • Renewing the mind requires active rejection of wrong thoughts (fear, doubt, etc.) and verbal confession of scripture.
  • “The biggest help was not me answering the devil for them, the biggest help was me telling them what to say.” (44:25)
• Key Quote:

  “The Word is enough to run out any troubling thoughts that the devil puts there.” (41:00)

8. Living the Best Life

• Personal Responsibility:
  • Don't rely on others to do your believing—feed yourself on the Word, make it your lifestyle, line up thoughts and actions with scripture.
  • “Invest in your spiritual development. Don’t just rely on someone else to do your believing for you, do your praying for you...”
• Practical Wisdom:

  “Dad Hagin used to teach us: when something comes up, an opposition comes, ask yourself, ‘What does the Word say about this?’ And then act in line with the Word. That’s what a renewed mind does.” (46:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On foundation:
  “No matter how beautiful the structure is... if the foundation is compromised, that home is not going to be a safe place to live.” (02:14)
• On the importance of the renewed mind:
  “A renewed mind is a closed door to the devil. An unrenewed mind is an open door to the devil.” (29:40)
• On the local church:
  “You can go to the theater, you can go to a shopping mall, you can go to places of recreation, and none of those places are helping you renew your mind... Only the local church.” (19:25)
• On pastors:
  “A Christian will not spiritually advance without a pastor.” (28:00)
• On practical living:
  “Your mind isn’t renewed until you’re bringing the Word into your everyday life.” (16:55)
• On spiritual self-sufficiency:
  “God will not make you to where you’re dependent on someone else. He wants you depending on the Word.” (43:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00-03:00 – Introduction, episode purpose, setting
• 03:00-07:00 – Romans 12:1-2, submission and renewal as keys to victory
• 09:00-13:00 – Galatians 3:29-4:1; inheritance only accessed by maturity
• 13:10-17:00 – 1 Corinthians 2:14; analogy of growing in skill and spiritual capacity
• 19:25-28:00 – Role of the local church and the necessity of pastoral guidance
• 28:00-32:45 – Five-fold ministry and the pastor’s central role
• 34:30-36:30 – The true mark of spiritual maturity: acting like Jesus
• 36:50-44:25 – Real-life encounter: using the Word to address attacks on the mind
• 46:20-end – Final admonitions and practical steps for continual renewal

Conclusion

Pastor Nancy Dufresne’s message powerfully underscores that spiritual maturity is not automatic—believers must invest in renewing their minds and submitting their bodies through an ongoing relationship with the Word, active local church participation, and the guidance of a pastor. The episode lays out both inspiration and practical steps, equipping listeners to shut the door on the enemy and lay hold of the fullness of their inheritance in Christ.

Key takeaway:
A renewed mind is a closed door to the devil. Growing up spiritually requires diligent, continual effort but brings believers into victory, peace, and intimacy with God.