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 (last 30 days)

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

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

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

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

The Church as Glory and Joy: Paul's Vision of Ministry Reward

The Church as Glory and Joy: Paul’s Vision of Ministry Reward A Theological Essay on Ministry, Servant Leadership, and the True Reward of Equipping the Saints Introduction Distortion of scripture is nothing new, Peter himself warned that Paul’s letters were being twisted even in the first century—some “distort” them, as they do “the other Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:16). Paul likewise warned that distortions would arise from within the church, with people speaking “twisted things” to draw disciples after themselves (Acts 20:29–30). And when the subject turns to money, the New Testament is especially direct. Paul cautions against those who imagine “godliness” as a means of gain (1 Timothy 6:5) and insists that gospel ministry must not be peddled for profit (2 Corinthians 2:17). Peter adds that false teachers exploit others “in their greed” (2 Peter 2:3), and Jude warns of those who “abandoned themselves for the sake of gain” (Jude 11). Paul also says some “teach… for shameful gain” (...
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

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

Sound Doctrine, Sound Minds, and the Word of Life

Sound Doctrine, Sound Minds, and the Word of Life The New Testament consistently links doctrine with the condition of the mind . Doctrine is never treated as a mere collection of correct statements to be affirmed, but as something formative—shaping how believers reason, how faith matures, and whether communities are built up or quietly destabilized. When doctrine is unsound—loosely grounded, selectively quoted, or driven by human agendas—it does not simply introduce error. It produces instability. Scripture describes this instability not as ignorance, but as a condition of being divided , tossed , and unsettled . The danger is not thinking too much, but thinking without a stable center . Murmuring, Confused Reasoning, and the Loss of Orientation Paul names this danger directly in Philippians: “Do all things without murmuring (γογγυσμός) and confused reasoning (διαλογισμός)… holding fast to the word of life.” — Philippians 2:14–16 The terms Paul uses are precise. The word mur...
Read more

The Promises of God — The Promise of Eternal Life

There is such a great promise of eternal life to the elect, through faith and knowledge of truth, "to the extent of the hope of eternal life, which God can not lie, promised before times eternal. Now, brought to light in his word at his own timing..." (Titus 1:2) Before time began God made a promise, established it on his oath,  there being nothing greater to  establish it on, but accordingly to  his purpose by which he can not lie.  "just as he chose us in him before creation of the world to exist holy and blameless in his presence in love predestining us for adoption as his own through Jesus Christ..." (Ephesians 1:4-5).    For those chosen this promise is very precious and honorable and effective. It is a promise that God will always be with us even to the end of the age. It is a promise he is working out all for good to those called according to His purpose. The promise is fulfilled through "predestinating us for adoption"  and adoption is of the S...
Read more

The Promises of God — The Gospel Without Monetary Cost

Conversion, Gift, Priesthood, and the Stumbling Block of Money I. The Gospel Announced as Without Cost in Scripture The gospel is revealed in Scripture as without cost , without price , and without exchange . This is not rhetorical flourish, nor merely ethical exhortation, but a declaration about the nature of divine life and the way it is received. Isaiah proclaims to covenant-breaking Israel: “Ho! 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.” Isaiah 55:1 The command to “buy” while explicitly possessing “no money” abolishes transactional logic. What is offered is life from God, not a commodity. The absence of price is essential to the nature of what is given. If payment were possible, the gift would cease to be what it is. This prophetic declaration stands prior to any later ecclesial practice. It defines the category of the gospel before questions of ministry, support, or organization a...
Read more