“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
This passage contains two big chunky nuggets: “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind” and “By testing, you may discern what is the will of God.” In this article, we will focus on the first half of the passage. We will discuss the second half later.
A renewal is a restoration of run down. It makes me think of restoring antique furniture that has good bones but needs new batting. When we renew our minds, we transform them from a worldly mindset to a kingdom mindset. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Transformation takes time and is a lifelong process of sanctification. The Father constantly prunes us as we abide in him, but we must put in our efforts to grow. Sanctification does not come through idle behavior but intentional efforts to grow closer to the image of Christ. We do this through daily disciplines (click here to read about daily disciplines), and our minds will be transformed as we grow.
Free from intoxicating influences
Intoxicating influences are matters of the flesh. Romans 8:5-8 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” When renewing your mind, your mind needs to be on the Spirit. When we shift our minds to a worldly mindset, our desires change to earthly desires. Because, as humans, we tend to move slowly toward our desires, we must desire the heart of Christ and walk by the Spirit. Our minds and hearts will be a reflection of that desire.
Galatians 5:19-21 says the works of the flesh are:
- Sexual Immorality
- Impurity
- Semsuality
- Idolatry
- Witchcraft
- Enmity
- Strife
- Jealousy
- Fits of Anger
- Rivalries
- Dissensions
- Divisions
- Envy
- Drunkenness
- Orgies
- And things like these
Free from Distraction
The best way to explain the importance of freedom from distraction is the story of Martha and Mary Luke 10:38-42: “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Martha, being consumed with everything she needs to do and what she thinks is essential, misses an opportunity to sit at the Lord’s feet and learn from him. Additionally, convinced that Mary should be helping, Martha gets angry and demands that Jesus tell Mary to help with the meal. The gentle rebuke of Jesus tells us that sitting with Him is the more important thing.
How often do you get consumed with the endless checklist of things to do and move things around to fit more in without taking time to sit with Jesus? Minimize your distractions, and prioritize your time with the Lord. If you don’t know what is distracting you from Christ, pray and ask in faith for discernment and wisdom, and the Lord will give it to you.
Free from Harmful Consumption
In Luke 6:45, Jesus said, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” What we take in whether good or bad, it will take root in our hearts. What is in our hearts will come out in our actions. If you want to renew your mind, be sure that what you are filling it with is good. What is good may look different to different people. It’s a matter of conviction. Romans 14:21-23 says, “It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”
Take a walk with that for a minute. Is what you are consuming proceeding from faith? Does it stumble you or others? Does it cloud your judgment and lead you to make bad decisions? Sometimes, these changes don’t happen all at once. Sometimes, it takes time. A drip effect. Is what you watch, listen to, or read taking root in your heart and leading to unfaithful ungodliness? If you answered yes, it’s time to repent.
I will leave you with the words of Paul Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
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