A Change of Mind

Romans 12:2

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

Psychologist define morality as the behavior and beliefs that a society deems “right” or “acceptable.” In other words, this view depends on conformity to what the most people think they want and what the latest trends happen to be.

Sexual behavior, criminal behavior, business ethics…all these are activities with a broad range of moral standards but the most powerful voices want to make sure that everyone is compliant.

Of course, society imposes its standards on those who do not agree and either punishes or pressures them under the insistence that we all should conform so we can get along.

Followers of Jesus have chosen to get their moral standards from the Bible, the expression of God’s design for our lives and relationships.

But most people today think that the morals of a Christian mean you stop doing bad things and force yourself to do good things. They also think that Christians need God as a crutch to live a good life….as if everyone else is naturally good and doesn’t need someone to lean on.

I think it is easy to see through that lie.

But the first thing that a follower of Jesus comes to realize is that I am naturally NOT a good person, and neither is anyone else.

This verse points out that God does not want us to conform to the standards of the rest of the world. In fact, the secret to transforming your life to follow God’s way is to “renew your mind.”

That is, to transform your actions by transforming your thinking.

If you went into the military, you would be taught to think like a military person, and not like a civilian and the way the Army would change you is to transform your mind through training.

So, we too, as Christians, need to renew our minds, train them every day, by thinking God’s thoughts, to think about His Word.

First, read your Bible with a goal of transforming or changing your thinking so that you do not make decisions any longer the way the world does.

You might say though, “I still struggle with old thoughts, mental ruts that have been there all my life.”

A transformation takes time but starts with a commitment to reject old mental habits, to repent of them and ask the Holy Spirit to give you new desires.

Next, join a good Bible study group that is committed to meet regularly and dig into the Scriptures with the goal of digesting every truth you can pull out.

Then, meditate on verses that impress on you about areas of your life you need to surrender to Him.

God promises that He will give you a new heart when you completely let go of your own way, and determine to live life His way, replacing your old desires with new desires from Him.

Spend time in fellowship with others who share that commitment and memorize Bible verses.

There is nothing more powerful than planting 100% of God’s thoughts into your mind.