Renewing the Mind
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Sep 10, 2024
- 2 min read
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)
In today's world, it is tempting to conform to what is politically acceptable and adopt strategies, beliefs, and mindsets that the world’s system deems acceptable. To counter this idea, Paul wrote that Christians should not conform to the patterns of this world—conforming means following the crowd and adopting the world's standards and values. Instead, Paul gave us a strategy to find daily success: be transformed by renewing our minds.
Transformation comes from a change in thinking. What are you spending your time thinking about? When we think about what others think of us or about the ways that society, politics, and the world’s system adopt, our minds cannot be transformed. We fall into line with the system of sin that was designed to keep us down. Instead, when we align our thoughts and actions with God's Word, we can prove and discern God's good, acceptable, and perfect will.
Many Christians fall into the trap of the enemy because they believe doctrines that are not found in the Word of God and open themselves up to confusion and defeat. For example, God does not make people sick to teach them something. He does not force people to be in pain and struggle so they can become better Christians. If the enemy gets you over into believing that bad things come from God, you won’t even put up a fight when the trial comes; you’ll sit and take whatever the enemy brings.
God wants you to resist the enemy and fight the lies against you. How can you do that? By continually renewing your mind through reading, hearing, and speaking the Word, you cannot be deceived.
Practical Application
Regularly read, hear, and speak the Word of God so the enemy cannot deceive you. Set a regular schedule for reading the Word or hearing a sermon and stick to it.
