God will renew your mind, but you actually have to use it …

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One of the most distressing things in the church today is the sheer volume of people claiming to be Christian and/or attending church services who don’t live a godly life outside the church building.

There are multiple reasons why this happens, but let’s look at just one.

For context, we know that God commands us to be holy — His intent for us is that we be like Jesus and live lives following in His steps (see 1 Peter 1:15-16, 1 Peter 2:21). The Apostle Paul helps us see that the goal isn’t just to “be saved” from the condemnation of hell, but to be disciples of Jesus who grow into spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:11-15).

Accomplishing the above requires more than just a change in our thinking, it requires a transformation of our mind — a supernatural work God is happy to supply!

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect,” Romans 12:2.

“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God — truly righteous and holy,” Ephesians 4:21-24.

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him,” Philippians 2:13.

What the above does NOT mean is that God does NOT open our heads and drop in a new brain that, in robotic, mechanical fashion forces us to think (and therefore feel and act) differently. A “renewed mind” must be used, and doing that well requires training. That’s why Paul wrote the following exhortation to Timothy:

“Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly,” 1 Timothy 4:7.

God is willing to use His power to transform our minds and empower us to do what pleases Him, but we have to engage our minds — put them to use, give them some direction, TRAIN them — to live godly lives and follow the example of Jesus.

What are you doing with your renewed mind? How are you training yourself to live a godly life?

Scotty