Everything we do and say begins in our mind, and our mind is what generates our thoughts and ideas. These ideas become emotions, beliefs, and actions. How you perceive the world around you has tremendous influence on what your mind generates. You hear things every day that attempt to influence the way you see yourself and your life.
Corporate advertising tells you that you are constantly in need of something bigger and better to be happy. People influence you by telling you who you are and what you should do based only on their ideas. In a spiritual sense, you also have a very real enemy who hates you. This enemy is working to convince you that you aren’t worthy of love, you’re not good at anything, and you’ll never amount to much.
Here is what I hold true: because of God’s incredible love for you, He has provided a means of relationship with Him, provided you with Holy Spirit, and provided you with His word. He’s also given you the ability to renew your mind on a daily basis and to ponder the truth of how He sees you and feels about you. It is this truth that defines who you really are. You have the chance every day to experience the renewal of your emotions, perspectives, and beliefs. God desires to speak to you every day and share His truth about your identity through His word and Spirit.
His command for us is printed clear as day. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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 12:1-2. The truth is, if we are not able to transform our mind then God would not have told us to do it. You have the ability! You are worshipping God when we renew your mind with His ideas. You worship God when you choose to believe His word over world’s ideas. By trusting God, you show your love for Him instead of your feelings and limited perspective. When you renew your mind, you are no longer conforming to the world, with its destruction and lies, but conforming to God’s truth about you.
How do you transform your mind? Here are four simple steps: First, you must see yourself through the lens of God’s word. Perspective is the key. You have the ability to believe God or not. His word says amazing things about you and your identity in Christ: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. God proclaimed that you are His child, that you are worth the death of His Son, and that you are free from of the shackles of sin and the world. Those promises are extremely powerful. In order for you to experience the fullness of what His word says, you must renew your thought process to be like God’s. The Apostle Paul said that “we have the “mind of Christ” as people born of the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:16.
How do you set your mind in a Christ-like manner? Step number two is you have to make time for God every day. Open your mind and heart to God’s word every day. Before your day gets too hectic and out of control, experience renewal in your mind is when you first wake up. By carving out time every morning, you set the foundation for what you will believe and how you will think for the rest of the day. Your entire outlook on life will begin to change. You will find yourself in a place of contentment, experiencing joy, having purpose, and living in abundance.
The third aspect of daily transformation revolves around Holy Spirit. When you came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit set up residence in your heart. When you are alone and reading God’s word, read it while listening to Holy Spirit. Scripture will come alive when you spend time reading it with the guidance and teaching of the Spirit. Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17. Allow your Helper, the Spirit of truth, to show you the ways he desires God’s word to shape your life and transform your mind. As you read, Holy Spirit will be your Teacher if you ask him.
The final step to daily transformation is obedience. Just like any diet or workout plan, obedience and discipline are key. You have to live in obedience to God’s word. His word is not merely historical but is actually full of practical and applicable truth that has the ability to transform your life. When you open your heart to God’s word and choose to believe it, you will experience transformation. When you choose to obedient obey God’s commands, you will bear incredible fruit in your life. God’s word is meant to direct you to the rich life he has planned for you. Have faith in the words of Scripture. Choose to believe God’s promises.
So, are you ready to transform your mind and move into a place where God will use you as the conduit to achieve His purposes? If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then your instructions have been clearly laid out. If you are not a believer, then you can make that change today. In a simple prayer, admit you are a sinner to God, and you need a Savior. Believe Jesus Christ is that Savior and was crucified for your sin on the cross, and that he rose again. Confess Jesus Christ as your Savior and ask Holy Spirit to take up residence in you. If you can utter that simple prayer, and follow the instruction for transformation, then you can experience what God has in store for you.
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