Renew your Mind

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 

Our problem is that we were born into a world disconnected from unlimited eternity and the Spirit Kingdom of God. Therefore our minds have been conditioned to accept the limitations of this world and our own abilities.

Romans 1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 

Remember, our original design is to rule over the Earth. Instead we find ourselves, too often, subject to/ under the dominion of the forces of life and this world. This is frustrating to us and is an abuse of our original design.

The first principle in renewing our mind was laid out by Jesus:

Matthew 22:36 - 37 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 

And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

We must love the Lord more than we do the distractions of this world.

Loving someone other than ourselves changes us to be more like the one you love. Over time, husbands and wives who are truly in love become more and more like each other until they act and think more and more like each other. 

If we truly Love God with all our mind, we will be transformed in our mind to think like Him and no longer according to our previous limited mindset. Peter failed at this at one point, earning him a stern rebuke from Jesus -

Matthew 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” 

Paul explains further in his letter to the Romans -

Romans 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 

6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 

7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 

8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

This links to -

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 

4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 

Beware of Self examination, our ability to deceive ourselves is very strong -

Jeremiah 17.9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? 

Therefore Love of self is a great deceiver and we need to transfer that love to loving God with all our mind. Loving Him enough to be changed by our relationship with Him, allowing Him to correct us and transform us to fit us for eternity with Him.

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 

34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?

1 Corinthians 2:16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ. 

Note here "we have" - present tense. When you were born again, the mind of Christ was part of that seed implanted in you. The seed is watered to grow as we read and meditate on the Word of God. Our growth is being transformed from our old life to our new life in His likeness.

Ephesians 5.26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 

So we are instructed -

Ephesians 4:22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 

23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 

24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

So - Colossians 3:1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 

3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 

Here's the test; If you still think and speak like your unsaved neighbours, you have some changing to do, because your fear of man is hindering you from your love of God. If you are still despairing of the daily news on  the reported state of the world instead of resting in your confidence in the King of Kings, you have some serious resetting of your mind to work on.

The early Christian were known as people of the Way. Now too often we Christians need to get out of the way and into God's Ways. (see our upcoming post on Knowing God's Ways)

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 

20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 

22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 

24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 

25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 

Amen

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