When a person becomes a Christian, the Bible teaches that God fills the new believer with His Holy Spirit. This is the New Creation reality spoken of in 1 Corinthians 5:17. The work of God within is perfect. He has left nothing out and nothing undone, but now the new child of God has the responsibility to renew his mind. “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.” (Romans 12:2)
The Biblical process of the renewing of the mind is much more than positive thinking. It is the most important key to actively believing God and utilizing the power of God.
Renewing the mind means to replace fallible worldly knowledge and logic with the infallible logic of God’s truth. It is to memorize the Word of God, to the end of recalling appropriate truths in and under any circumstances. The renewing process starts with reading the Bible. Six times in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus asked, “Have you not read?” (Matthew 12:3, 5; 19:4; 21:16, 42; 22:31) Jesus Christ read Scripture. His example is the best one to follow.
Christians have often ignored the Word of God through the centuries. As a result, many have been powerless and defeated. There are schisms and divisions throughout the world, and thousands of denominations and groups that call themselves Christians. The present times demand not only more knowledgeable believers, but genuinely loving and obedient ones. Hosea 4:6 says that God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, and Jeremiah 2:13 states that God’s people have forsaken Him, “fountain of living waters.”
Christians must get back to the fountain of living waters. Without the discipline of renewing the mind, Christians will not be mentally prepared to receive instructions and assignments from God. If believers’ minds are filled with earthly, sensual and worldly thoughts, God cannot entrust them to speak or act in His behalf. The Word of God is urgently needed in these times. God’s people need to rise up, first in disciplined thinking, then in disciplined lifestyles, to know Him, to glorify Him and to obey Him.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” as 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches. The best way to learn the will of God is simply by read His. After Moses died, Joshua was ordained to lead God’s people into the Promised Land. God told Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
To meditate means to consider deeply, or think about intently and at length. This will mean memorizing verses, and even entire sections of truth from the Bible, and thinking about its meaning and personal application. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)
“Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on themm].” (Philippians 4:8 Amplified Bible) Christians are spiritually victorious or defeated moment by moment, and day by day, in proportion to the thoughts they think. What believers feed their minds and dwell on has a tremendous impact on whether they will be victors or victims.
Romans 13:14 says, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ“ and Ephesians 4:23 states “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” Colossians 3:10 teaches to “Put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge.” The spiritual gift inside is God-given, holy, and perfect. Christians lack nothing spiritually. However, God never oversteps freedom of will. God does not control minds. It is the Christian’s responsibility. Notice Scripture that teaches believers to change the way they think! A disciple is one who disciplines his mind to learn, to know, and to do the Word. Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” (John 8:31)
Read and study God’s Word. Think about it and meditate on it. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:16)
Pastor Mike Says 