Changing the Mind - Martin Wiles

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. Romans 12:2 NLT

Doing so may be a woman’s prerogative, but for me, it means bumped shins and stumped toes.

Moving furniture around is one of my wife’s favorite activities. It once was mine too. Before I got older and developed an aching back. Not that I detest changing things; I merely get accustomed to their arrangement and see no need for change. For me, buying a small piece of furniture doesn’t mean we have to move everything around in every room to accommodate it. Not so with my wife.

When furniture moves, I’m more apt to hurt myself. Stumping a toe accompanies a nighttime trip to the bathroom. A chair has moved. Or if not the toe, my shin. Until I get accustomed to the new arrangement, accidents happen. I have to re-orient my mind so even when I’m half asleep I think about the new order of things.

Paul challenges believers to renew their minds—and with good reasons. Danger lurks when we don’t. Renewing involves change, but this change is for my benefit.

To see the need to change my mind, I have to acknowledge it needs changing. Since Paul instructs me not to copy the customs and behavior of the world system, he must know I’m prone to do that. And I am because of inherent sinful nature and because of the fleshly nature, I retain even after letting Christ into my life.

Renewing my mind means reorienting it to think as God thinks. He ruminates on things that are good, righteous, holy, kind, loving, joyful, peaceful, and faithful. My normal thinking leads me away from such thoughts. Renewing my mind through Bible study, meditation, prayer, and accountability with other believers keeps me thinking properly.

My wife never seems to finish rearranging furniture, and I can’t ever cease renewing my mind. Since what I think leads to actions, I must renew my mind frequently so my daily actions match who I am in Christ: a new creation with new wants, desires, and emotions.

I suppose as long as my wife can move—or at least tell me too—we’ll move furniture. She’ll never know satisfaction with one particular arrangement. Nor should I when it comes to changing my mind.

Don’t be afraid to change your mind. Doing so will always keep you in tune with God’s will.

Tweetable: Are you letting God change your mind?

Prayer: Father, guide us to renew our minds daily so we never miss Your best for us or walk onto sinful paths. 

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