Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
What an incredible treasure trove of truth in a single statement. It speaks of our involvement in contemporary culture and discloses the mechanism of personal growth and change. It also reveals that we can actually discover the answer to the age old question, “What is God’s will for my life?” While there are several key points, there is an important focal point in this verse – our minds – our thinking.
Our thinking frames how we relate to the world (contemporary culture) and how we relate to God. Picture a continuum that has “conformed to the world” on one end and “conformed to Christ” on the other. Now consider where you might place yourself on that continuum based on how you are living your life. How do you spend your time and resources? How weighed down are you with unhealthy thoughts and emotions? If we’re honest, most of us would find ourselves closer to the “world” than to Christ. The great news, however, is that we’re not stuck there! God has given us the ability to do something about it. Actually, he doesn’t just give us the ability or the opportunity to change, but declares that we must change. It’s an imperative - “be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”
How do we renew our mind? The way we renew our mind is by replacing lies and unhealthy thinking with the truth of God’s word. Consider my previous post on Phil 4:8-9. Spend time each day reading the Bible and perhaps a trustworthy devotional. Ask God to grant you wisdom as you sort through the moral, religious, social and cultural challenges we are facing in 2020. If necessary, reach out to a pastor or biblical counselor for help.
Today I pray that the Lord would help me recognize false thinking and guide me in applying the truths of his word so I may be transformed.
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