Chapter 1

“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind”

Romans 12:2a AMP

Here we see a contrast of two words: “conformed” and “transformed.” Conformation happens from the outside in. Transformation happens from the inside out. God is specifically calling us to resist the outside forces which attempt to conform us to culture and its worldly customs. We are to actively and deliberately be at the task of life-changing transformation with the help from God’s Spirit within.

I can still remember the first time I went kayaking. It was a new experience for the small group of us who rented boats. We casually paddled along exploring till we congregated together in the middle of the river for lunch, holding onto each other’s boats. As we ate, I noticed that the water current was pushing us back downstream towards where we had begun. By the time we were done eating we had already drifted halfway back. After lunch, I took note of how much effort it took to paddle against the current simply to remain in place.

I began pondering how slowly and persistently the influences of culture resemble that water current. They can impact our daily lives if we are not intentional resisting them. In other words, if you are not consistently at the task of pursuing God, the flow of culture will inevitably push you to a place you never intended to go. It requires deliberate effort on your part to simply remain in place, and renewing your mind will require more.

Renewal

The Greek word in Romans 12:2 with respect to “renewing your mind” might be better understood today as a renovation. If you have ever lived through a home renovation, you know that it is a process that takes time. Renovations often find their beginnings in a vision or dream of the desired outcome. That dream gets hashed out onto paper in the form of a blueprint or some other form of drawing. When actions towards that planned goal are executed, the dream becomes a reality. The same holds true for renewing your mind.

As Christians, we have already been given a vision and dream of God’s desired outcome. Our end goal is to become more Christ-like. The blueprints for us to execute this are found in the biblical scriptures. These scriptures outline what we are to do and how we are to do it. This particular scripture challenges us to resist superficial cultural values in favor of Godly values and ethical attitudes.

When God saved you by grace through your faith in Christ, He also gave you the gift of His Holy Spirit. He has a reason and purpose for that gift. It is to have His Holy Spirit live in you permanently so that He could be there to testify to you about God’s truth at all times. That means that He is not an occasional visitor just for Sunday mornings and the odd occasion. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of God Himself dwelling inside you, for your good, guiding and helping you till you go to heaven. Consider it to be your second greatest gift because He came as a result of the best gift ever, your gift of salvation through Christ Jesus.

Renewing your mind may be a simple concept to understand; however, establishing new attitudes and thought patterns is a lifelong process that begins in your heart and mind. So set your mind to fully commit to and engage with your new roommate as you dwell in this new place of relationship with God. Allow Him permission to rise up and take hold of your heart and mind so you can walk in harmony with Him. I encourage you to actively listen for the truths He brings you. Dig into the scriptures and chase after His truth so you can drown out the noise of this world created by the enemy to distract you from your new task.

“Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.”

Proverbs 16:3 NKJV

What is in Your Heart Determines Your Life Direction

We see in Deuteronomy 1:2 that the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years attempting to make what should have been an 11-day journey to the Promised Land. What took them so long? We learn that they did not enter into the Promised Land because of their poor attitude.

“They will never even see the land I swore to give their ancestors. None of those who have treated me with contempt will ever see it. But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.”

Numbers 14:23-24 NLT

It was their mindset, their grumbling and complaining. How they responded to their circumstances was what kept them from the fulness God had for them. A bad attitude can cost you the promises of God!

Our God-given goal is to adopt the same mindset as Christ (Philippians 2:5). It is therefore vitally important to be deliberate and intentional about what is in your heart because what is found in your heart is the curator of your very life. Everything you do and everything you say is a byproduct of what is in your heart. Your words and actions are the outflow of your heart; therefore your very thoughts and beliefs have a direct impact on the direction of your life.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”

Proverbs 23:7 KJV