“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will…” Romans 12:2
If you’ve ever visited the doctor, you may likely have received medicine that says “take until finished”. For some, the tendency is to stop taking the medication when normalcy is presumed to have returned, and failing to follow the instructions often result in another onset of ailments. Our instructions, as Christians, are that we should be “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Mind renewal is not something we do until we feel better, but it should be a constant process as we live out the Christian walk.
Mind renewal is important in helping us keep our temples clean. In St Mathew 12, Jesus speaks of the unclean spirit which was cast out of a person. It went wandering around, and when it found no place to rest, it decided to go back where it came from. “And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first.” – St Matthew 12: 44-45. Mind renewal is not a one-off incident, but a mind that is constantly being renewed will not serve as a residence for things unclean.
Sometimes we pray for God’s guidance and direction but we move off long before the answer has been given. We use our own ideas and wills to chart our courses instead of waiting on Him to act. We may find ourselves trusting God for something He has not yet manifested in the flesh, but we have the assurance that if we trust Him, He will direct our paths. When God is not at the center of what we do, we leave ourselves open to pain, disappointment and failure. Proverbs 3:5-6 says Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (KJV) A mind that is constantly being renewed will rely on God for guidance and direction.
Philipians 4:4-6 offers great encouragement. Rejoicing may not seem appropriate to our several circumstances, but twice in Philipians 4:4 we are told to rejoice! Not only should we rejoice, but we should “let our gentleness be evident to all”. We are also asked not be anxious, “but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving”, we should present our requests to God. A mind that is constantly being renewed will experience the “peace that passes all understanding”, even in the midst of situations that have the capacity to cripple us.
Keeping our lives clean, trusting Him for guidance and direction and experiencing His peace in mind-numbing situations doesn’t come because we are good. We are able to please Him with our lives when we choose to walk as He directs. Trying to make it on our own is a sure way to fail, but constant mind renewal will keep us connected to the Source that can never disappoint.
Inventory / Introspection: Are there crevices and corners in my mind that can serve as a hiding place for things that do not bring Him glory? Have I been trusting Him to lead me through my painful circumstances? Have I experienced the peace that comes through rejoicing, being gentle, and praying with thanksgiving?
Practical Application: With all that we have to do on a daily basis, how can the Christian live the principle of mind renewal?
Father, when I gave You my life, I gave You all of me, but there are those days that I have taken back what I placed in Your hands as I tried to live by my agenda. So far, I have not been successful. It is my heart’s desire to live a life that pleases You, but as long as I live in the flesh, I will always have the desire to sin. I pray that You will teach me the process of true, daily mind renewal so that whatever I do or say will come from a place that exalts You.
I realize You do not always act when I want You to, but I have come to discover that trusting You truly brings a peace I cannot explain. I am grateful for Your peace in the midst of trying circumstances.
Help me to live a life reflective of a mind that is constantly being transformed through renewal. I do not want to hold onto anything that holds no glory for You. Amen
Blessings,
ann
Toni R
(c)
Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
© Anthonette Anderson and Tonirand’s Blog, 2011. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Anthonette Anderson and Tonirand’s blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Tonirand's Blog 
Uncle Tree
Amen! Good write-up. Happy Halloween! 🙂 Uncle Tree
Ann
Thanks for stopping by.
To God be the glory!
Blessings,
ann
P.S. I choose not to celebrate Halloween, but I trust you had a great Monday.
Pat
Hello Ann
I thank God that through his Holy Spirit and his word our minds will be transformed,the more we come to know our Saviour and love him the more we’ll want to please him.Wonderful reminders indeed,I hope you have a joy filled day!
Love ya 😀
Ann
Blessings to you, Sister Pat
“I thank God that through his Holy Spirit and his word our minds will be transformed,the more we come to know our Saviour and love him the more we’ll want to please him”
Thanks for spelling it out so plainly. I was told some time ago that if we truly understood the way the Lord loves, we would strive to please and not disappoint, but you are so right, transformation can only come through Him.
You have so been in my thoughts and prayers. Hope you had a joy-filled, pain-free day 🙂
Blessings,
ann
Pat
Hi Ann,I do so appreciate your prayers,and I am doing much better!
Love ya 😀
Ann
Bless His name, sister Pat 🙂
Let’s keep praying for each other.
Blessings,
ann
Debbie
“Mind renewal is not something we do until we feel better, but it should be a constant process as we live out the Christian walk.”
“Sometimes we pray for God’s guidance and direction but we move off long before the answer has been given. We use our own ideas and wills to chart our courses instead of waiting on Him to act.”
These truths are so important for me today.I have to constantly stay in His word, in order for my mind to keep being renewed. I am not as patient with waiting on Him as I want to be. Thank you for showing me how that too, will be renewed as I stay in His word and will and trust Him to guide me and to care for me in the now.
God bless you, Ann full of Jesus grace, for helping us remember to keep allowing Him to transform us each day. We are not done yet!!!
Ann
Blessings right back at ya, Dearest Delightful Deb.
We are so not done yet! ( I am thankful He doesn’t allow me to call the shots, or I would be lost and undone in a sinful ditch somewhere… I think I know what I want but I truly have not the foggiest. I am grateful that He lovingly teaches, even when He has to chastise, He does it in love, out of love. How great is our God!!)
We’re getting there. We will get there by His grace and mercy. We will walk the walk until we hear “well done, good and faithful servant”. Then our will shall truly be lost in the wonder of who He is and we will spend our days in worship of the One who loves us this much. What a day that will be! He went to the cross and took the “It is finished!” road for us…. By His grace, we will live the life that counts in His eyes.
Blessings much as you follow the path He sets before you.
In renewal mode,
ann
jelillie
So good Ann! 🙂 This is a continual work. Sanctification grows like an onion, in layers. So often I think I am finally transformed only to find that God has a deeper revelation of the same lesson for me on another day. I am determined to receive His full rememdy into myself.
Pat
Pastor Jelillie I have found that to also be very true,God has a bright sense of humor!! 😀 😀
Ann
Praise God, Pastor J.
I like the onion concept. 🙂 We’re never quite there until He calls us or comes back to take us home.
“I am determined to receive His full rememdy into myself.”
Amen. And we know full well that sometimes the remedies are bitter to the taste but they work for our good. Praying we will trust Him to take us through the stages, bitter, sweet and otherwise.
Blessings much. May His love layer you around and about and through and through.
ann
P.S. Please give a heads-up when you write the onion post 😉 Looking forward to the read 🙂
meetingintheclouds
You mean our minds aren’t immediately renewed?
Seriously, after 53 years of having my mind renewed by Him, I know the work will not be complete until the time I am in His eternal presence, and I am finally “like Him”.
Praise God, that as I look back on those 53 years I can see a gradual “renewal” and many “leaps” of renewal as He “grew” me. Praise God also that we can KNOW that His work WILL continue until He presents us faultless.
What an amazing God!
Ann
🙂
Thanks for popping by, Angela.
“Seriously, after 53 years of having my mind renewed by Him, I know the work will not be complete until the time I am in His eternal presence, and I am finally “like Him”.”
How marvelous is the God we serve? A new born babe and a ‘seasoned believer’ can enjoy the same relationship with Him. 🙂
“Praise God also that we can KNOW that His work WILL continue until He presents us faultless.”
Amen. I look forward to the day! What an amazing God indeed ! 🙂
Blessings much,
ann
Loren
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just “renew” our minds once and for all? it would also be great if I could sweep my kitchen once and it would stay that way, rather than having to do it every single time I feed my three little ones!
It’s funny that we understand, in the natural, that we need to clean our floors regularly and we need to bathe/shower regularly, yet when it comes to our minds, we feel that we can just do so every once in a while and be good to go. Thanks for reminding us of the importance of renewing our minds daily.
Ann
God bless you, Loren
thanks much for visiting 🙂
Great analogy! I spent a great portion of today doing housework … would certainly have loved to be able to do it once for all time 🙂 Praying we will remember to check in with Him for mind renewal, especially in those moments when we sense that His gentle guidance.
May His name be glorified. Thanks for your prayers.
Blessings,
ann