“Renewing Your Mind”
June 14, 2012
Colorful petunias cover an old bike at a roadside flower stand.
We see so many interesting sights in the course of our travels through Lancaster County!
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“Renewing Your Mind”
Yesterday I spoke to Rich, a friend of mine who had surgery last year to remove a brain tumor. I inquired how he was doing and he reported he was doing great and had just had a good six month follow-up report. He told me that the doctor told him something that he was quite sure no one had ever told me. I inquired what that might be and he said the doctor told him he had a good-looking brain! Well, indeed no one has ever told me that but his question did get me thinking what my brain (mind) might look like to the Great Physician and the study of the spiritual renewal of the mind.
A surgeon has never seen my brain but the Almighty, all-knowing God knows my every thought (Ouch!). “The LORD knows the thoughts of man” (Psalm 94:11). “You perceive my thoughts from afar” (Psalm 139:2). We all have an ongoing need to be transformed by the renewing of our mind.
Vine describes this renewing of one’s mind as the adjustment of the moral and spiritual vision and thinking to the mind of God, which is designed to have a transforming effect upon the life.
The Precept Austin online study guide states, “Our mind is the control center of our attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and actions. Paul says that God wants our mind because He knows the power of the mind and wants it for Himself. He wants you to think His thoughts. As you do, your mind will be renewed. As your mind is renewed, you will be able to fulfill His will for your life.
As the believer chooses to saturate his or her mind with the abiding seed, the living and active Word of God, the Spirit progressively renews our mind so that the way we see, think and feel lines up more and more with the mind of God.
I strongly recommend you memorize and hide today’s verses deep in your heart. We both did so as young Christians and have often drawn spiritual strength and encouragement from these verses through the years. It reminds me of my personal responsibility in the God-ordained process of transformation.
Vance Havner understood this truth about the power of God’s Word to renew our minds. “The storehouse of God’s Word was never meant for mere scrutiny, not even primarily for study but for sustenance. It is not simply a collection of fine proverbs and noble teachings for men to admire and quote as they might Shakespeare. It is ration for the soul, resources of and for the spirit, treasure for the inner man. Its goods exhibited upon every page are ours, and we have no business merely moving respectfully amongst them and coming away none the richer.”
Let us all ask this question: “How is my mind being renewed?”
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, when we offer our bodies to you as living sacrifices we find out what pleases You, and brings You honor by renewing our mind to be like the mind of Christ. We choose to conform no longer to the pattern of this world, but rather the pattern of the life of Christ. In doing so we can more easily discern Your will for our life. Then our spirit is at rest and our mind is quickened to that which makes us useful for Your kingdom. It is in Jesus’ name that we pray to our Father. Amen.
Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
“Renewing Your Mind” Video A short (2 minute) video challenge by Paul Washer.
“How To Renew Your Mind” Video teaching by R.C. Sproul This part part 1 of a five part message. You can continue the rest of the series by clicking on the links to the right (after opening the above link). I have enjoyed R.C. Sproul’s teaching since the seventies. This sounds like R.C. Sproul but doesn’t look like him in my recollection! I suppose my favorite message was his teaching on the Holiness of God.
Precept Austin is an online study guide I value using in preparing these messages. It is essentially a compilation of many commentaries.
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