Written by Regenia B.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,”
Romans 12:2a
Before one has become a child of the King’s, we are conformed to this world, because this is all we know. Some have been brought up in Godly homes and have been taught differently, however, without the help of God’s spirit living within us we also may have lots of this world’s ways in the inner person, and once a person has become a child of the King we still have this transforming taking place daily by the renewing of the mind.
Be not conformed: Do not follow your own ways of life, the fashions or patterns of this present world, which are false and fleeting, 1 Corinthians 7:31.A change will happen when true believers offer their entire self to God, in their relationship to the world. True believers are called to a different lifestyle than the world offers with its behavior and customs, which are often selfish and corrupting. They are to live as citizens of a future world, which is heavenly. There will always be pressures to conform, to continue living according to the script written by the world and its system. True believers are not to give in to these pressures. We should not be conformed to live in harmony with this world. Refusing to conform to this world’s values must go beyond behavior and customs-it must be firmly planted in our minds.
Be transformed: For this to happen we must depend on God’s Spirit. This working is done in the heart – so we may please him through willing obedience. This transformation begins in the mind, were thoughts and actions begin. True believers are to experience a complete transformation from the inside out.
Ephesians 4:22-24 Gives us wisdom: You were taught, with regard, to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be true, righteous and holy. So, we as Christians should be involved in the things that renew the mind.
Renew is a new way of thinking. How is this done? By giving your life, your habits, your thoughts and your words over to God. To commit yourself to listening to Him and seeking what He wants for you, day by day. Our minds desiring to be conformed to God rather than the world. Renewing the mind, denotes the understanding or thinking power, regarded to its moral activity. Much of the work is done by God’s Spirit in us and the tool used is God’s Word. This is a concern to me, because when teaching the Word of God, many times there are spiritual applications and if we are not in tune with the Spirit of the Lord, we fail to teach this aspect of his Word, then we have not truly taught the fullness of His word. God himself tells us His Word is spiritually discerned. The Word or the Gospel is to have an effect, upon our minds and thoughts. It is to make us think Godly, so we can apply it to our lives and to make the necessary changes to be more like Christ.
God gives us warning in his Word, As a man thinketh so is he.
The Bible itself claims to judge, “The thoughts and attitude of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Christian renewal imparts not only the will and power to do God’s will, but also intelligence to discern it. God’s love for us as His true people can transform our lives, by His Word if we allow him to work in our inner being.
Are you letting God’s love transform you into the creature He would have you to be, by His Word?