Renewing the Mind
“And do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and
acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NASB
Anyone
else wonder, how do we ensure that we’re changing? How do we know that we are
living up to that spiritual service of worship and are not putting the yoke of
bondage back on ourselves? Romans 12:2 is a great example of what we are to do!
In the first part of the verse Paul instructs us not to be conformed to this
world, but to be transformed in the renewing of our minds. On the surface, that
makes sense. Don’t be like the mainstream. Don’t give in to what the world
tells us is right when we know in our hearts that it’s jacked up. Be
transformed in our thoughts, the way we think, the way we perceive the world.
Makes sense, right?
When
I read Romans 12:2 it makes me look at my life. I think we all can get caught
up in the times and the world we live in. We become distracted by the trends,
the philosophies, politics, and the new upgrades we can make to our lives.
However, as Believers, we are called not to be conformed to the patterns of
this world. I am not saying not to
enjoy a haircut that is in style. I have worn the pompadour. I am not saying don’t enjoy that new iPhone. I got an
iPhone Seven not too long after they came out. I think that it’s ok for us as
believers to live in the age we are in. However, the Gospel, the Living Word of
God, both Jesus Christ and the Holy Scriptures, should be what we conform to
and shape our lives around. Everything else is an accessory to the age we are
in and will pass away just as Atari, Betamax, Mullets and Shell-Suits did.
For some of us, the word transform conjures up images of a
semi-truck turning into Optimus Prime. For others, you may be surprised but I
read Romans 12:2 and it is hard for me not to say: “this isn’t even my final
form.” Which, I know, making a Dragon Ball Z reference might have some
screaming ‘conformity’ to pop culture. But, if you think about Frieza and Goku,
aren’t we all trying to get spiritually fit to reach our final form in the
image of Christ?
Whatever your stance is there, we are called to be transformed by the
renewing of our minds.
Renewing and renovating are really the same
thing in this Scripture. I think we all know someone who has had renovations
done to their homes or perhaps we’ve done renovations ourselves. Renovating is
no small matter. It requires all the old stuff, the dated countertops of our
mental habits, and the gold-bronze fixtures of our preconceived notions to be
ripped out and thrown in the dumpster so the new stuff can be brought in. We are
to do this with our minds, our feelings, our purposes and our desires to prove
what the will of God is, that which is good, acceptable and perfect…not to the
world…it’s ages, trends and patterns…but to God!
There
is only one way for us to do that, my Friends. We must spend time in His Word,
in prayer and in fellowship with other believers. We must make Him, and the
Living Word, a primary focus! That is how we renew our minds God’s way. Through
His Word! Are we spending enough time in the Scriptures? Are we spending enough
time in prayer and among believers who study the Word of God?
Until Next Time,
God Bless
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