Skip to main content

Be Transformed: By The Renewing Of The Mind

But be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for to prove by you what is the will of God, the good, acceptable, and perfect.1

Transformed comes from metamorphóō  it is from metá  which means change after being with and from morphóō which means changing form in keeping with inner reality – properly it is transformed after being with. Our English word metamorphosis comes from this word. Taken together this means changing form after being with Christ, in keeping with this inner reality or inner being of the Holy Spirit who lives and works in us completing this process or good work that God has began.

This transformation happens by renewing the mind. Metamorphosis is defined as a change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means. The picture to the left of a lunar moth in my hand is the result of transformation. This creature as a child is a worm, but its inner identity was of much more and did not want to stay such, so it created a cocoon around itself and through this supernatural process it became this beautiful adult. This is a good analogy of transformation that occurs in a child of God. We work out our salvation, letting come out this inner reality of who we are.

Renewing the mind is a process. The word renewing comes from anakaínōsis which is from aná meaning upward, completing a process and kainō meaning make fresh, new – properly, a new development; a renewal, achieved by God's power.3 It is a renewed mind, the mind of Christ that I seek, and I can only get it by an upward process of making my mind fresh or new. A process is documented standard operating procedures that give detailed written instructions for designated principles.4 Wow! we have these from our Father, these divine principles and instructions. Reading the word of God is essential in the renewing process of the mind.

Romans 12 gives us instructions for being spiritual. It includes sacrifice, conforming, and transformation, it is a process. First present your body a living sacrifice, this is your divine logical service.5 The process begins with the realization that I can not do this in the flesh I need his help, in the Spirit. I need to set my mind on things above but I do not want to, so I acknowledge this and seek to battle the flesh with the spirit. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.6 Through Jesus I have victory, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.7

This divine service can not be achieved by principles of this world; such commandments as do not touch, do not taste, do not handle and myths and stories that would come from senile old women, these things perish with use according to the commandments and doctrines of men. These basic principles of the world we have died to, they have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, neglect of the body, but have no power against the indulgence of the flesh.8 And such teachings exalts self, boasting in the flesh, the very thing we are trying to sacrifice. Rather we must train for Godliness. The word godliness comes from eusébeia which means someone's inner response to the things of God which shows itself in a godly heart-response.9

We serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.10 But the road to perfection in Christ is through trials. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.11 The Greek word here for endurance means to remain, persevere, or abide under.12 We must remain under his yoke, dying to self, we lose our life in him to gain it. Oh his yoke is easy and his burden light, because he is gentle and good, he transforms us into this beautiful new creature and we have this amazing life in him.

Second I must not be conformed to this world but together with Jesus assume his outward shape or image by following his model.13 Conforming to this world is to assume its qualities or distinctive attributes or character of its people and system. Jesus is our example, he came to show us who God really was and how we could live through the spirit in this fleshly body. To not conform is to conform to Jesus and to assume his model; his qualities or distinctive attributes or character. I need to work out this salvation in me, but my mind is at enmity with God, so I must have the mind of Christ. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.14

Third I must be transformed by the renewing of the mind. Renewing the mind is a process. Jesus is the word of God.15 Such is a powerful statement. If he is the Word of God and he is the bread of life and living water then we eat and drink him; the Word of God. We have this word written down for us. To say we love Jesus is to say we love to eat, read his word. His words are eternal life therefore it gives life, it satisfies the soul. The words of Jesus are Spirit thus it is living and active and it penetrates to the dividing of soul and spirit, joint and marrow, and is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.16

As Christ suffered we are to arm ourselves having the same mind, this suffering in the flesh ceases one from sin, no longer to lusts of men but to the will of God we submit the rest of this time we live in the flesh.17 There is something about suffering that brings us closer to Christ, we participate in his suffering.18 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.19 We are being renewed each day, so sanctification is a spiral process of renewal.19  And is done in truth, which is the word, which is Jesus, Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.20

Our quite time with God through his spirit and word should be a process of consistent habit forming devotion of transformation, like going into a cocoon. This is especially important as a new Christian, to mature to a young man in Christ I must overcome the evil one. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.21 But it is not a one time process, as your spirit is a new creation but your mind is at enmity with it. Jesus said, that if anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and let him take up his cross every day and let him follow me.21 Reading his word and seeking him needs to be developed into a daily habit, so the second nature is in line with the new.

I can have the mind of Christ but I need an upward process of making my mind new. And I do, through the Word of God, and sacrifices of praise, prayer, and fasting. I can deny the flesh and live in the spirit through the mind of Christ. I can get the truth into my mind which sets me free from the law of sin. When we set our mind on things above we are rescripting our brain, reprogramming it to think on the things of God. It takes sacrifice on our part but oh it is worth it, and those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.22 By his word we renew our minds and by this we find his will acceptable, perfect and pleasing. Such life and hope and love motivates one to endure, to be perfected through his love, and through this crazy process of transformation.

Let this mind be in you which also was in Christ Jesus, who in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being taken in the likeness of men having been made and in appearancre having been found as a man, he humbled himself having become obedieant unto death, even death on a cross.23

Lay Me Down

Popular posts from this blog

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body in Biblical Understanding The human being, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted creation, often understood through the distinct yet interconnected components of spirit, soul, and body. While some theological perspectives lean towards a bipartite view (soul and body), which we do see in the Old Testament, a careful examination of the New Testament scripture reveals a compelling case for a tripartite understanding, where each is divided into or composed of three parts. Let’s explore the biblical distinction between spirit, soul, and body. The Body: Our Earthly Vessel The body is the physical form that interacts with the material world. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:7 states, " Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ." This verse clearly establishes the body's origin from the earth, emphasizing its connec...
Read more

The New Living Way

The New Living Way "... Now, at the present released from the Law, having died in that which held us captive, so that we serve in newness of Spirit and not the old written code " -- Romans 7:16 Paul states that we are now united to Christ in his death and also raised with him into newness of life. What held them captive was sin but also the Law, it was a guardian until the appointed time God would send a Messiah (see School Master ). Paul uses the metaphor of marriage to describe how we are released from the Law; like a wife whose husband dies, now she is released from the Law and can marry another, so also have we died with Christ and are released from the Law and bound to Christ in a new covenant. The purpose of this is that we live in a new living way of the Spirit and not fleshly through the old written code or Mosaic Law. " So then brothers, you also have died to the Law through the body of Christ to the extent you exist by creation of another, the one raising you f...
Read more

Lord, Stand By Me

"... present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness ." 1 This word for present means "I bring, present, come up to and stand by," it is parístēmi (from pará, "from close-beside" and hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit). I pray Lord stand by me which expresses that I put my trust in Him, or I come up to and stand by Him. We use phrases like surrendering or bowing at the cross to explain such a moment, surely it is a coming to the end of ourselves and it is desirable that I find His will acceptable, but it is important to understand that it is about trust, not my will power, the key is that it is in Christ. The terminology the scriptures use is "present yourselves to God," or come up to and stand by and walk with Him. "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this...
Read more

Blessed Are The Forgiven

Blessed! the one whose lawless deeds are forgiven and the one whose sins are covered over, blessed is the man whom sin, the Lord will not consider . * Paul writes David foresaw and spoke " blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . *  Blessed, is the one whom sin is not considered, this word considered  means "to credit, count, reckon, to set down as a matter of account; regard, think, consider." This blessing comes through faith and according to grace, " also David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God considers righteousness apart from works ." *  The word for  lawless deeds speaks of the violation of the Law and the word for sin  speaks of missing the mark of God's righteousness. Blessed are those who (by faith in Christ according to grace) have been forgiven. In Him receiving the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace . * This fundamental ...
Read more

Spirit of Life

" Indeed, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus liberates from the law of sin and death ." 1 This word for liberates "I free, set free, liberate" is from a root word meaning free, exempt, not bound by an obligation. As partakers of God's divine nature, being born of Spirit, we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature but to righteousness which is God's nature. When we believe we receive the Spirit of promise, a guarantee of our inheritance, a great testimony that we are His children, it is a Spirit of Life. " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." 24 The Son came not to condemn the world but to save it. "One trespass   led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. " 6 " He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and wa...
Read more

New Testament Growth in Christ: From Foundation to Fullness

  New Testament Growth in Christ: From Foundation to Fullness The New Testament presents a vibrant and multifaceted picture of spiritual growth, not as a static event but as a dynamic, lifelong journey for the believer. This journey, with emphasis on a strong foundation, progresses through a transformative process of maturity forged by endurance, ultimately aiming for the profound goal of experiencing the "fullness of God in Christ." The Foundation: A New Creation The inception of growth in Christ is marked by a radical spiritual new birth, a foundational shift that defines the Christian experience. It is not merely a moral reformation, but a divine act of creation. The apostle Paul declares this truth in 2 Corinthians 5:17 : " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come ." This new creation is initiated by faith in Jesus Christ, where believers are justified and reconciled to God through His sacrifice. ...
Read more

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective Throughout Scripture, God's compassion for widows is evident. He is portrayed as their defender, provider, and source of justice. The Bible repeatedly calls believers to care for widows, reflecting God's own heart for the vulnerable. However, in his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul provides a specific definition of a "true" widow, emphasizing the church's responsibility in supporting those who are genuinely in need. God's Compassion for Widows The Old Testament is rich with passages that reveal God's concern for widows. In Exodus 22:22, God commands, "You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child." This verse underscores His protective nature, ensuring that widows are not mistreated or neglected. Similarly, Deuteronomy 10:18 declares, "He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing." Here, God is depicted as a just and loving prov...
Read more

Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination

  Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination 📖 Introduction The phrase “called according to His purpose” appears in Romans 8:28 (ESV), a foundational verse that reads: “And we know that for those loved of God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” This statement gives comfort and more—it is a declaration about identity, destiny, and divine intent. To be “called according to His purpose” means participating in God’s sovereign, redemptive plan. God's plan is being manifested through the church through the "new covenant in his blood" as it was established by the death of Jesus. The calling is not arbitrary or based on human merit, but is rooted in God’s purpose, eternal will and love. 🔍 The Nature of the Calling In Scripture, God's calling is effectual—that is, it accomplishes what He intends. Paul writes: "...those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified,...
Read more

All Who Are Thirsty

“ Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;  and he who has no money,  come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk  without money and without price.  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,  and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,  and delight yourselves in rich food. .." (Isaiah 55). " Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price ." Buy is defined as to acquire the ownership of by giving an accepted price or consideration therefore; to accept or believe as true .[ 1 ] When we buy something we consider the price that we must pay, we accept this and purchase the thing we have considered worthy of the sacrifice we make in payment. W e can not buy, with money or price, redemption from t his tragic flaw we are born into. However Jesus paid the price for us, so we buy or accept through consideration, the Greek word is  logizomai.[ 2] ...
Read more

Putting On the New Self

Putting On the New Self Theme: Spiritual Growth & Identity in Christ Key Scripture: “And to put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” — Ephesians 4:24 (ESV) 🕊️ Day’s Reflection The Christian journey is not about becoming a better version of our old selves. It is about walking in The New Living Way , putting on the new man created in the likeness of God. Scripture calls us to put on the new man , and this call is not symbolic or abstract. It is a command grounded in spiritual truth and lived out in daily walking as Christ walked. 📜 Scripture for Meditation 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Ephesians 4:22–24 (ESV) “To put off your old man, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new man, created after the likeness of...
Read more