How to Transform Your Life by Renewing Your Mind

Transformation is talked about in many ways, but God’s transforming power is the best. I have seen people so far from the Lord do an about face when trusting Jesus Christ as Savior. This transformation continues through the renewing of the mind for the Christian.

Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV “to put off your old self, 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 self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

How is this accomplished after salvation?

Charles Stanley “Renewing the mind is a little like refinishing furniture. It is a two-stage process. It involves taking off the old and replacing it with the new. The old is the lies you have learned to tell or were taught by those around you; it is the attitudes and ideas that have become a part of your thinking but do not reflect reality. The new is the truth. To renew your mind is to involve yourself in the process of allowing God to bring to the surface the lies you have mistakenly accepted and replace them with truth. To the degree that you do this, your behaviour will be transformed.”

When we receive Jesus Christ as Savior, we get a new nature. This doesn’t mean it’s automatic to live in God’s way. We have to depend on Him to stay there.

Learning how to transform your life by renewing your mind is a process just as Charles Stanley said above. The more you depend on the Lord’s help, the stronger you become.

We are going to talk about different ways you can renew your mind and transform your life:

• Meditate on God’s Word
• Memorize God’s Word
• Have the Mind of Christ
• Think on These Things
• Be Alert
• Renew Day by Day
• Conclusion

Meditate on God’s Word

Joshua 1:8 NIV “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

The purpose of meditating and reading the Bible is for us to learn what God wants us to do. If you don’t, how do you know what He wants? It takes time to read and understand the Bible.

That’s where the Holy Spirit comes in.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NIV “However, as it is written “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”

We will never know or understand all of the Bible. Don’t become discouraged, just enjoy learning new things about the Lord.

Memorize God’s Word

Psalm 119:11 NIV “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

I started memorizing scripture as a child with Bible Memory Association. I continued through adulthood. The program is no longer available which is a loss. Storing God’s Word in my heart has blessed me many times in my life.

It can help keep sin from your life. When you are tempted, scripture has a tendency to pop up in your mind at the right time. Of course, obeying is essential.

Another advantage is having scripture with you when its inconvenient to carry a Bible. Maybe the time is only open a short time to share, you have it available through memorization.

The Navigators have a free e-book to help you in the process of memorization. Navigators

Have the Mind of Christ

Philippians 2:5 NIV “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”

Colossians 3:2 NIV “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Christ walked this life and knew what we as humans go through. Because of His example, we know the right way to walk in Him.

When we have His mindset, we can see the world through His eyes. We then can relate to people in a different manner, one enveloped in His love.

In Colossians, it tells us to set our mind on what God wants, not how the world does. Jesus Christ’ mind was set on things above, following His lead, we can renew our mind and change our life.

Think on These Things

Philippians 4:8 NIV “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Here is how God wants us to think. Believe me, it will change your thinking. This is how Jesus Christ thought. Everything for the good.

This is a good one to memorize. As you go about in your life, it can help you overcome tendencies to sin by popping up to remind you of how Jesus Christ treats you and me.

Learning to think on these things can help you renew your mind and transform your life.

Be Alert

1 Peter 1:13-16 NIV “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Proverbs 4:23 NIV “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.“

We need to be alert as Christians so we do not conform to the world’s way. We are different now after coming to know Jesus as our Savior. Be careful not to go back. We are now to be holy as God is holy. This means to be set apart from the world’s way.

In Proverbs 4:23, we are to guard our hearts. Why? Because what we do comes from what our heart is thinking. If we are not thinking God’s way, it will affect our behavior in a negative manner.

If we are submitting to God, we will transform our life by renewing our mind.

Renew Day By Day

2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

Paul suffered greatly for the Lord and it was hard on his body. Yet, he was being restored daily because of that suffering and living for Him.

We too can be refreshed daily. Talking to the Lord each day, even more than that, keeps us renewed in Him.

If you haven’t a regular habit is going to the Lord, try it this week. You will not regret it.

Conclusion

Our lives can be transformed as we renew our minds and submit to God. There are benefits as we are transformed.

Transformation takes place in our emotions. God’s peace is there for us. How much nicer are our days, when peace reigns in our heart.

When we have peace, our relationships grow stronger. We can understand more about others and their lives. We look at them differently, through God’s eyes.

This transformation by God comes from renewing our relationship with Him every day. That is why reading His Word and praying is so important.

If you have questions, please comment. Jackie