We end our study about being focused with this verse, ”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 ESV) Focusing our minds on God and what He wants for us, brings transformation. Our verse tells us we need to renew our minds. The reason for this is so that we can discern God’s will for our lives.
Have you ever noticed that whatever you are focused on affects your life? If we are so focused on the things of this world we end up with attitudes, actions, and a way of life that looks just like the world. However, as we continually keep our eyes on Jesus, study His Word, and be in constant communication with Him, our attitudes, actions, and way of life begin to take on His characteristics. My husband has pointed this out to me, especially if I have been watching a lot of a certain program, he’ll tell me that I’m beginning to act like or have the same attitude as that program. I have allowed that program to affect me, and a lot of times, it is not in a good way.
This past month or so our pastor has been doing a series on toxic people and how to either deal with them or remove them from our lives. This past Sunday he talked about those who were quick to blow up in anger. All through the sermon, the Holy Spirit was talking to me. Everything my pastor was saying I could see myself in. I’ve been thinking a lot about what he said, and then today’s Bible Journaling verse tells me how to fix the problem. I need to crucify the flesh and renew my mind. Renewal of our minds is one way we can be transformed into the person God wants us to become. J. Vernon McGee, in his commentary on Romans, says, “By permitting the Spirit of God to renew the mind, the believer will be able to test the will of God and find it good.” This is one way we can have our minds renewed so that we are reflecting Jesus in everything we do and say, and in our attitudes.
Pastor David Guzik, on the Enduring Word website, says, “But be transformed by the renewing of your mind: This is the opposite of being conformed to this world. The battle ground between conforming to the world and being transformed is within the mind of the believer. Christians must think differently.” The whole process begins in our minds. We must purposely determine in our minds to set our minds, fix our gaze, upon the things of God.
We begin the process of renewing our minds by asking God to forgive us for our attitudes, actions, and spoken words that do not line up with His Will. “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord ; “(Acts 3:19 NASB) We must demonstrate the Fruits of the Spirit that are found in Galatians 5:22-23 – focusing our minds and hearts upon allowing those characteristics of God to show forth in everything we do.
This is not easy to do, trust me I know. I have battled with issues like anger my entire life. But God forgives me when I come to Him, and He helps me back on the right pathway, and says, “Now, let’s start over. I know you can do this.” Then I must focus on Godly things, changing my behavior, attitudes, and words, and allow Him to renew my mind and transform my character. I have His promise that when I accepted Jesus as my Savior, I became a new creation, (2 Corinthians 5:17) now it is time I began acting like it.
If you want to renew your mind, remember that God will help you. He calls us to renew our minds, and we can do this with His help.
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