The concept of being transformed by the renewing of the mind comes from Romans 12:2 in the Bible, which says “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.” This verse points to an important process that should happen in every Christian’s life – the renewing and transformation of our minds according to God’s truth. Let’s explore what this means and why it’s so significant.
Our minds need renewal
Due to sin, all humans are born with a mind that is naturally conforming to the standards, values and philosophies of this fallen world rather than the standards of God (Romans 3:23; 1 John 2:15-17). Even for Christians, our minds have been negatively shaped and influenced by the ungodly culture we live in. From a young age, our thoughts, beliefs and attitudes have been affected by things like media, education, friends, etc. As a result, our minds need renewal and transformation by God’s truth and wisdom found in Scripture (Psalm 51:10; Ephesians 4:23).
The renewing of our minds is needed because many of our ways of thinking are opposed to God’s ways. The world’s principles like selfishness, greed, pride, immorality often shape our minds without us realizing it. Our minds have internalized lies from the world like “money is most important”, “do whatever feels good”, “you deserve to be treated specially”, etc. We have blindspots and incorrect thinking about God, ourselves, and how to live a godly life. Therefore, we need our minds renewed so that our thinking aligns with God’s truth.
Renewal means aligning our thinking to God’s truth
The renewal process means having our old, worldly ways of thinking replaced with God’s truth and wisdom (Colossians 3:10; Titus 3:5). As we abide in Christ and immerse ourselves in Scripture, the Holy Spirit renews and transforms us. He convicts us of sinful thought patterns and conforms our minds to be more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18). This renewal happens as we read, study, meditate on and apply biblical truth to our minds, allowing it to shape our thinking and beliefs.
Practically speaking, mind renewal means learning to identify ungodly thoughts and consciously replace them with biblical truth (2 Corinthians 10:5). For example, countering the lie “I’m worthless” with the truth that you are loved and valued by God. Or rejecting the faulty thinking “I can’t control my anger” with the fact that God gives self-control. As our minds are renewed by Scripture, our thoughts will be taken captive and made obedient to Christ, resulting in more godly choices and actions.
Renewal transforms our lives
The renewing of the mind is not just an intellectual exercise. This mental transformation radically changes the way we live. When our minds are conformed to the world, we live for selfish gain, earthly pleasures and temporal values. But when our minds are renewed, our focus shifts from self to God, from earthly things to eternal things, and from sin to righteousness (Colossians 3:1-2; Romans 8:5-8).
Mind renewal transforms us by:
- Changing the way we think about God – we begin to know His character, trust His wisdom and desire His glory above all.
- Changing what we value – instead of earthly things, we value heavenly things like righteousness and pleasing God.
- Changing our attitudes and behaviors – with renewed minds, we live obediently to God’s ways rather than conforming to the world’s patterns.
- Enabling us to know and fulfill God’s good will for our lives, rather than being foolish and unwise.
- Helping us become more like Christ in the way we think, speak and act (Ephesians 4:22-24).
In short, mental renewal brings about practical renewal in every part of life. Our thoughts drive actions, so transformed thinking transforms behavior.
Why we must actively pursue renewal
The renewing of our minds doesn’t happen automatically. Scripture instructs us to actively pursue mental renewal rather than being passive (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23). Here are a few reasons why we must make intentional efforts to allow God’s truth to transform our thinking:
- Our hearts and minds naturally tend to be drawn to worldly thoughts and patterns of thinking unless we make deliberate efforts to renew our thinking according to biblical truth (Hebrews 2:1).
- The world and culture we live in is constantly bombarding us with ungodly ideas, philosophies and attractions that can conform us to its ungodly pattern if we are not guarding our minds (Romans 12:2).
- Our minds and thoughts are in a daily spiritual battle that requires actively fighting to take thoughts captive and realign them to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
- We have an enemy, the devil, who constantly seeks to deceive our minds and promote ungodly ways of thinking that lead to sin (2 Corinthians 11:3).
- Filling our minds with God’s truth requires discipline and intentional study of Scripture. It won’t happen unless we purposefully meditate on the Word (Psalm 1:2).
As Joshua 1:8 says, we must meditate on God’s Word day and night so that we will be careful to live according to His ways. As we actively fill our minds with God’s truths, our lives will follow.
The role of the Holy Spirit
While we are called to actively renew our minds through Scripture, it’s important to note that we cannot succeed in this without the empowering of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the agent who actuates and applies the renewal process in our lives. As we cooperate with Him through obedience and discipline, He enables us to understand, accept and conform to God’s truth in Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The Spirit helps renew and transform us by:
- Illuminating Scripture so we can grasp its truths (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)
- Convicting us of sinful thoughts and drawing us to God’s truth (John 16:8)
- Conforming us to the image of Christ as we behold God’s glory (2 Corinthians 3:18)
- Producing spiritual fruit like righteousness that increases as we submit to Him (Galatians 5:22-23)
- Empowering us to reject worldly ways of thinking and embrace God’s mindset (Ephesians 3:16; Romans 8:5-7)
Without the Spirit actively working in us, our minds will not be renewed. We must rely fully on Him to transform us through God’s Word as we actively obey it.
Practical ways to renew your mind
Here are some practical ways to continually renew your mind as a Christian:
- Study and memorize Scripture – Fill your mind with God’s truth by regularly studying the Bible, meditating on it, and committing verses to memory. Internalized Scripture will transform your thinking and beliefs.
- Pray for renewal – Ask God daily to renew your mind, convict you of wrong thinking, and help you understand and apply His truth to your life.
- Reject worldly influences – Be selective about what you read, watch and listen to, avoiding content that promotes ungodly values and philosophies opposed to biblical thinking.
- Practice godly thinking – Counteract sinful thoughts with Scripture. Replace errors and lies with God’s truths. Take wrong thoughts captive to Christ’s authority.
- Fellowship with the godly – Spend time with more mature Christians who can exhort you and model renewed minds centered on Christ.
As you actively engage in these practices by the Spirit’s power, your mind will be increasingly transformed to think and act biblically in every area of life.
Signs your mind is being renewed
Here are some signs and evidence that your mind is progressively being renewed according to God’s truth:
- You are increasingly aware of unbiblical thoughts in your mind and quick to reject them.
- Your thoughts are becoming more aligned with Scripture on issues.
- Things of this world are growing strangely dim as you value God’s kingdom more.
- Your mind is less conformed to the pattern of the world in behaviors and speech.
- You are more receptive to reproof and correction from God’s Word.
- You are humble and teachable rather than thinking you know it all already.
- Your thoughts are taken captive to obey Christ throughout the day.
- You think about how your actions reflect on Christ and desire to please God.
While being transformed into Christ’s image is a lifelong process, these signs help assure you that your mind is being renewed by the Spirit through God’s Word.
Barriers to mind renewal
There are certain barriers that can hinder the renewing of our minds, including:
- Lack of Scripture intake – Not regularly reading and studying the Bible prevents God’s truth from transforming us.
- Doubting God’s Word – Letting culture, opinions or experiences undermine belief in biblical authority.
- Clinging to sin or falsehood – Refusing to surrender cherished sins or embrace uncomfortable truths.
- Distractions and busyness – Keeping our minds too busy and distracted to focus on God’s truth.
- Rejection of the Holy Spirit – Quenching the Spirit’s work to apply God’s truth to our minds.
- Bad company – Surrounding ourselves with worldly people who negatively influence our thinking.
We must identify and eliminate such barriers through repentance, discipline and dependence on the Spirit. Renewal requires guarding our minds from ungodly influences that hinder transformation.
The blessings of a renewed mind
Having the mind of Christ through renewal is a great blessing that brings many benefits, including:
- A deepened relationship with God as we know Him more intimately.
- Increased discernment between God’s will and the world’s ways.
- Greater victory over sin as ungodly thoughts are rejected.
- Confidence and joy in salvation through spiritual understanding.
- Stability to withstand worldly philosophies and temptations.
- Freedom from useless anxieties, fears and lusts.
- A powerful testimony attracting others to Christ.
Renewal transforms every part of life. We experience the abundant life Christ promised as our minds align with His perfect truth (John 10:10). What a joy to have the mind of Christ!
Conclusion
The renewing of our minds is an essential part of the Christian life that brings about real transformation. As we actively soak in God’s truth found in Scripture, rejecting worldly patterns of thinking, the Holy Spirit renews our minds to be more like Christ. This mental renewal then transforms how we live as our thoughts, values, behaviors and speech align more and more with God’s wisdom and will. Though challenging, the blessings of having a renewed mind far outweigh the cost. By God’s grace, may we all pursue this vital spiritual process of being transformed by the renewing of our minds.