Transformation/Renewing your mind

What is Transformation?

Biblically speaking, transformation refers to a profound internal renewal of the heart, mind, and character that is driven by the Holy Spirit. We are not just talking about an outward behavioral change or what we would call behavior modification.  The change is from the inside out. You get that change going on the inside then your behavior starts lining up with your heart.

Our word (transformation) comes from the word transformare which means metamorphose. It is the same process that a butterfly goes through called metamorphosis. In a born again Christian this process of transformation involves shifting your thinking/mind/thoughts from a worldly, sinful nature to being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This is not a one-time event. This is an ongoing gradual lifelong process/journey of growth in grace which we call sanctification. This is not an instant change or a one-time declaration of righteousness like justification. This is not done by prayer, or fasting, or laying on of hands. While those are all good things that is not how God tells us to transform into the image of Christ.

Let’s look at what God says about being transformed:

Romans 12:2 ASV “And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Romans 12:2 NLT “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

When should we start this process? Ideally right after we are born again. But unfortunately, so many pastors preach get born again and everything will be fine and so Christians struggle for years trying to live out the Christian life, trying to be a good person or trying to produce the fruit that the Bible talks about. I had been born again 8 to 9 years before I started this.

Here are some actual things I have heard some Christians say:

·      What is wrong with me, I’m born again, how come I’m still struggling with sin.

·      Was I really born again? let me do that again. And get baptized 3, or 4 times over.

·      I don’t know how to be a Christian so I’m just going to quit.

But the truth is the new birth takes place in your spirit not in your flesh or your mind. You are in the same body the day after salvation as you were the day before you were born again. And your mind is still no different than joe sinner down the street after being born again. No one teaches us that we must renew our mind. So we live for years with one foot in Christ and one foot in the world. The problem is: we are still conformed to the world, we are influenced by culture, media, and our surroundings with a constant pressure to conform. Our worldly thinking leads to fear, doubt and sinful habits. Because what you think shapes how you live. Our thoughts influence our actions. Negative thinking leads to destructive patterns. Proverbs 23:7 says “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.”

What does “Renewing our Mind” mean?

God calls us to renew our minds because He wants us to know His will. He gave us the Bible and He even gave us the Holy Spirit to live inside us to help us in this process and with our Christian walk so we can be overcomers and victors in this life not victims.  However, renewing your mind doesn’t just happen by itself. We cannot leave up to God what He has left up to us to do. There are hundreds of verses in the Bible where God pledges an action in response to human obedience, faith, or action on our part. Faith without works is dead. This is not works for Salvation. That’s a free gift. This is being obedient to what God tells us to do. That is our part. He tells us to renew our minds, He will not do that for you.

To grow spiritually requires us to do some mental renewal. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. God wants us to surrender our whole hearts to Him, renew our minds and pull that other foot out of the world. He wants us to replace lies with His truth and align our thoughts with God’s word giving us a whole new perspective.

So how do we Renew our Mind?

First pray and asked God’s help on renewing your mind. We can do nothing without his help and grace (John 15:5). Start your day with God. Put your Spiritual eyes on Him and start saturating your mind with His word by reading and meditating on Scripture. I read 5 Psalms (150) and 1 Proverbs (31) every day. That way I went through each of those books every month. Plus I would read whatever other book in the Bible I was going through at that time. Psalms is our worship book and Proverbs is our wisdom book. Both books are very important. I wanted to make sure I included both of those every day. This is not just reading to be reading this is reading with a purpose to change your thinking to be His thinking. I kept a 3X5 card with me all the time with verses on it. So that I had access to His word every moment of the day. If I was driving one of my children to basketball practice or to piano lessons I would pull it out at every stop sign or red light so it would be on my mind. (This is something you can do in your mind while you are going about your day). You want to memorize His word by replacing what you think with what His word says. I Had a Bible Promise Book and every time I had a thought that did not line up with what Philippians 4:8 says about thinking on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. I would find in the book whatever the bad thought was about whether it was an anxious thought or an angry thought or a lazy thought or a gossip thought or a prideful thought or a not good enough thought etc. and would replace it with the bible verse that countered that bad thought. Once I memorized those verses then every time a bad thought came my way I immediately cast it over on the Lord and would think on His word in that area. Some people think they can’t control their mind but that is a lie from Satan. God would not tell us think on these things or don’t think on that if we couldn’t control our mind. I heard a preacher say years ago. You can’t stop a bird from flying over your head but you can prevent it from building a nest in your hair. So, I kept this up for years. It is not just a one time event or just do every once in a while. No, this is something that has to be continuous and on going for your whole Christian walk. If you keep this up over time you will get to the point where you can block those thoughts of the world from even entering your mind by just letting it bounce off your shield of faith. You want to Guard your heart against the influences and media of this world. It will undo all of this. You will be right back living by the flesh. Romans 8:6 says, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”

What are the results of a renewed mind?

 While your doing this day in and day out you are spiritually maturing and are learning to abide in Him. This process helps you switch from being self-centered to being God-centered. You gain freedom from old patterns in your life. You develop the mind of Christ. You become marked by humility, unconditional love, consistency in your behavior. God’s word combats deception, it provides guidance and wisdom and strengthens your faith. You will be able to hear the Holy Spirit speak to you with clarity and have peace in your mind. No more wondering what His will is because renewing your mind provides the ability to discern God’s will (Romans 12:2).  You develop a solid foundation to stand on. You develop a heart of gratitude and generosity. You want to surround yourself with Godly People. Be involved with a woman’s group where you have Christian sisters to meet up with. Fall in love with Jesus and get started seeking Him.

Conclusion

Transformation begins in the mind by taking each thought captive.

God changes us from the inside out by renewing your thinking.

It must be a daily commitment. Jesus says take up your cross daily. That means die to yourself. Put Him first in everything.

If you change your thinking you change your life!