Renewing Of The Mind (cont.)
We return to this thought of the renewing of our minds. Paul said, in Ephesians 4:23, “and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” As we made mention before, in so many words, this renewing of the spirit of our minds deals with our thinking being transformed from the old ways and habits caused by sin, to the new way, which is thinking according what is found in the Word of God. We are persuaded that God’s Word is truth given to us, passed down to us, and from that persuasion comes a conviction deep within our being that it is truth, and from that conviction comes positive and persistent action and living. This begins the moment we accept Christ into our heart and life, ask Him to forgive us, and allow Him to have control. His Spirit within us then gives us the power, gives us the ability and greatly helps us to begin this process of renewing the spirit of our minds.
One scholar wrote: “The renewal here mentioned is not that of the mind itself in its natural powers of memory, judgment and perception, but ‘the spirit of the mind,’ which, under the controlling power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, directs its bent and energies Godward in the enjoyment of ‘fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ,’ and of the fulfillment of the will of God.”
The way to have right and proper thinking, the way for the Holy Spirit to be able to help us, is for us to expose ourselves, if you please, to the Bible, God’s Word. We must fill our minds with God’s Word. Jesus said, over in John 17:17, “Sanctify them through Your truth; Your word is truth.” In order to be set apart to do and obey God’s will, to live pleasing to God, is to know what God says to us in His Word.
The Psalmist, in Psalm 119:130, says “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” God told Joshua, which is still applicable to us today, in Joshua 1:8, “This Book of the Law (the Bible) shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
One writer put it like this: “Renewing the mind thus involves both divine involvement-the Spirit’s work-and personal responsibility, as believers actively seek to study Scripture, pray, fellowship, and think in newly formed ways. The end goal is a life that increasingly reflects the nature, compassion, and holiness of the One whose mind believers are to reflect.”
Our responsibility is to saturate our minds with Scripture, with God’s Word, the Bible. This is a continual, life-long process. If we will be faithful to do this, the Spirit will be faithful to help us to be transformed into the image and likeness of Christ.