Published: June 26, 2009 10:05 am      

A matter of the mind

Have you considered lately that what you think may not line up with what God thinks? Maybe it would be good if we thought about it? Romans chapter 12, and verse 2 says this: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (NASB).”

Paul is saying to each of us we must stop letting the world’s philosophy push us into its mold, and stop allowing the pattern of our past control our lives! Instead, he says, we are to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” What does that mean? The CEV translation says it this way: “Let God change the way you think!” That’s pretty simple, isn’t it? Or is it?

The Greek word translated here as “transformed” is the same word we get the word “metamorphosis”. And this, of course, refers to the process where a worm is changed into a butterfly. You see, God’s design is that we are changed from a position of crawling like a worm to a position of soaring like a butterfly! This IS our position if we’re in a relationship with Jesus Christ. We are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)! So what our text means is this: Our minds need to catch up to the truth!

We must allow God’s word to change our mind so it lines up with God’s mind! We must allow the truth to change our life perspective, and that includes our attitudes, opinions, and ambitions! I believe we will grow no further in our walk with Christ, or as a local church, than the level we are willing to be changed by God’s word! Are you willing to let the truth do its changing word in you? Am I?

Well, how then do we “renew our minds”? 2 Corinthians 10, verse 5, gives us some insight. We must “take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ (NIV).” Every thought we have must be evaluated and made to line up with the truth! Ephesians 6 exhorts us to “put on the full armor of God...taking the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (NASB)!” We must guard our minds with the knowledge of who we are in Christ and with every thought ask ourselves, “Is this thought worthy of my position as a believer? Is it truth?” We must consider what we think about, because most of the battles believers face are won and lost in the battlefield of the mind! Philippians 4, verse 8 gives us good advice about this: “Whatever things are true..think on THESE things!” That’s a good word!

Why is it important to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds”? Our text says it’s so “we may prove what the perfect will of God is!” In the CEV Bible’s words, “Let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to (God)!”

Here’s the truth. God’s plan for your life is perfect. So, let’s guard our minds, think on the truth, and get in line with it! God’s best to you this week!