*BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND*
*"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and Perfect... View More*BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND*
*"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and Perfect Will of God." Romans 12:2 (NKJV).*
In Romans 12:2, Paul focuses on one essential means of transformation which is the renewing of your mind. *“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”* Oh, how crucial this is!
There are many who think that the only problem with the human mind is that it doesn’t have access to all the knowledge it needs. There are many people who are educated who use their minds to invent elaborate negativity, sophisticated terrorist plots and complex schemes for embezzlement *(see Job 5:12)*. The Bible has a far more profound analysis of the problem.
In Ephesians 4:23, Paul uses a striking phrase to parallel Romans 12:2, he says; *“Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”* The human mind is not just a sophisticated computer managing data, which it then faithfully presents to the heart for appropriate emotional responses. Rather, the mind has a “spirit.” In other words, our mind has what we call a “mindset.” It doesn’t just have a view but a viewpoint. It doesn’t just have the power to perceive and detect but also has a posture, a demeanor, a bearing, an attitude or a bent.
Transformation is the Work of the Holy Spirit. He is the one that renews the mind. This is first and decisively His Work, hence we are radically dependent on Him. Our efforts follow His Initiatives and Enabling.
The Holy Spirit does a dual Work in the Process of Transformation and the Renewing of the mind. 2 Corinthians 3:18 states: *"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the Glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the Same Image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."*
The Holy Spirit effects the renewing of the mind which leads to transformation by enabling us to “behold the Glory of the Lord.” This is how the mind is renewed: By steadfastly gazing at the Glory of Christ for Who He really is *(see Ex. 33:18)*. But to enable us to do that, the Spirit must do a Dual Work i.e., from the outside in and from the inside out.
Our duty in the process of the renewing of the mind is to join the Holy Spirit in His Precious and All-important Work through the following ways:
*1. Praying the Pauline Prayers for ourselves daily:*(see Eph.1:17-23; Eph. 3:16-19; Col. 1:9-12)*
*2. Engaging the habit of reading, studying and memorising Scriptures.
*3. Spending time to meditate on the Scriptures daily:* Meditation is equivalent to Spiritual Digestion.
*4. Becoming a doer of the Word:* The blessing lies in the obedience of God's Principles *(see Jam. 1:22-25)*.
*PRAYER:*
Father, I pray that You fill me with the Knowledge of Your Will in all Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding in Jesus' Name. Amen.