How to gloriously transform through renewing your mind

 

 

A facelift or rebuilt body may enhance the way you look, but will not transform you. A mind renewal will.

External things are here today, gone tomorrow. Take, for instance, exercise. The scripture says,

Although training your body has certain payoffs, godliness benefits all things—holding promise for life here and now and promise for the life that is coming. (1 Tim 4:8, VOICE)

That does not mean to stop exercising. Heavens, no. While I cannot work out and run mini-marathons as I did 30 years ago, I do what I can (LOL). However, my priority then and now is to live in a God-pleasing manner. Only then can I positively influence other people.

To have the right perspective (the divine one) requires daily mind renewal. You and I can substantially transform by renewing our minds in every area. The payoff is great!

Jesus was transformed

The Greek word metamorphoó means to transform, to transfigure, to change the appearance or form.

This is the same word used in Matthew 17:2, where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John.

There in front of the disciples, Jesus was completely changed. His face was shining like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. (Mt 17:2, CEV)

What happened? After heartfelt prayer, Jesus’ divine nature burst out in a dazzling outshining and display of glory on His face and through His clothes and into the atmosphere around Him. Wow!

You too can shine out glory from the inside, if you make intimacy with God and knowing His Word your priority.

War for your mind

There is obviously a war to control your mind. That is because if someone can control what you think and believe, they can control you.

Your mind (intelligence, understanding, and thinking power) directs traffic to your spirit, soul, and body. What are you allowing to enter your mind and dominate your thoughts?

How the Word will transform your mind

The God-breathed, Spirit-anointed Word will renew, renovate, repair, recondition, reconstitute, revive, rejuvenate, and refresh your mind. It will radically transform you.

The Word:

• brings light;
• reveals God and His perfect point of view;
• shows you the thoughts and intents of your own heart that need to change to conform with God’s, including how God sees us in Christ;
• reveals the power to us and in us who believe.

Therefore, let the Word transform you. Read, study, recite, and listen to God’s Word as often as you can every day. Gauge your thoughts (and words) by the checklist in Philippians 4:8. Think only on (and speak only) things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, a good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.

The end goal of renewing the mind

The end goal of renewing our mind is to develop a mentality so illuminated by the Holy Spirit that we continually think, speak, and act in line with the heart, character, and purpose of God.

Express God’s love

And, as we grow in grace, let us express God’s love everywhere. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

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Are you renewing your mind on God’s Word of hope, grace, love, joy, and peace so you can positively influence others? Please post comments.

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Capazin Thornton is a Christian speaker and author in Orange County, California.