Letting God Renew My Mind

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” -Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Perhaps you have memorized this verse already in the King James Version which reads like this: “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.” This is set in the context of Paul’s strong appeal to Christians to follow Christ wholly and completely: “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.” (Romans 12:1, KJV).

Proverbs 23:7 declares: “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Our manner of life is shaped by our thoughts. If we think positively, we will seek to live a solid, hopeful life. As a Christian, if our mind is stayed on Christ, we will seek His teachings and His ways to follow. We can be conformed to the world, or we can be transformed by the power of Christ to live a victorious life. The choice is always ours. As a Christian, we determine not to let the world squeeze us into its mold of selfishness, waywardness and sin. Instead, we seek what is holy, acceptable and good according to the will of God.

Letting God renew my mind is a daily, serious pursuit. “What would God have me do?” is a daily question, a thought process throughout each day. It means saying no to selfish pursuits and sinful pleasures. It means staying close to the Lord in thought and prayer.

Renewal of mind according to God’s way is to love the Lord God with all the heart, soul and mind (Mathew 22:37). This includes every aspect of one’s make-up. The mind, heart and soul are stayed on God. Sincere and diligent spiritual discipline is required. Indeed, we will fall. But we confess and turn from the wrong way. God is faithful to forgive and to restore.

Dr. James M. Boice, a noted Bible scholar and seminary teacher of the last century advised that “Transformation happens by the renewing of our minds, and the way our minds become renewed is by the study of the life-giving and renewing Word of God”

Happiness and spiritual victory come through the renewing of the mind in the Word of God. His way is always best for us. Let us seek it diligently and bathe our pathway in prayer.

-Ethelene Dyer Jones 02.26.2017