"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
The word "renew" is such an interesting word to me, most especially when it's applied to the concept of renewing the mind. God doesn't just want to fix our mindsets or to adjust them. He wants to renew it—to make it new once more and to overhaul it completely.
The renewing of the mind is so powerful that it can bring a whole life transformation once it completes its effects on us. That's why we are called to renew the mind.
Why is renewing the mind so important? It's because the reality is that our mindsets are completely messed up by sin. It doesn't need just a few tweaks. It needs a complete restructuring and remodelling.
But how do we allow God to renew our mind? Here are four ways and, in some way, four things that happen when we allow God to renew our minds.
1. Remove All Negative and Hurtful Thoughts
The renewing of our minds involves a clean-up job—taking out trash that may have been stored up in our heads. These are usually the negative and hurtful things that may have come from broken relationships, unmet expectations or painful experiences. God is in the process of making you new by removing the hurt, bitterness, remorse or even hatred that these things might have brought us.
2. Take Control of Our Thinking
Clearing up our mind of all forms of negativity will mean nothing unless we learn how to stop them from entering our mind. Renewing our minds doesn't involve just the removal of past hurts and sins. It involves taking control of what we allow to come into our heads.
3. Challenge Our Own Values
Everyone's values need refinement, and what better way to refine than to challenge? We can challenge our own values as God challenges them for us as well. Why do we do what we do and what matters to us most? Is it money, relationships, our time with God, our work, our ministry, or some other things as well?
4. Fill Our Head With the Word of God
There is power in absorbing and knowing God's Word. It's not just a collection of old sayings, stories or poems. They are principles and truths that have the power to radically change our whole way of living by renewing our way of thinking. That's why it's important to get into the Word of God and continue to grow in it.
