“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”
Do you need to change some things in your life? Maybe you’re not desperate, but you’d like to grow beyond your current limitations. The pathway to transformation is mind renewal.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. KJV
The source we use for mind renewal is not just positive thoughts or selfish meditations, the source that produces godly transformation is the Word of God.
Mere positive thinking can yield results, but when you anchor your mind-renewal efforts in the Word of God, you’re engaging a life source beyond positive thinking.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
As you align your inner man, heart beliefs, emotions, and thoughts with God’s ways and logic, the spiritual Word manifests to shape and mold you because it’s alive and is seeking to carry out God’s will.
It’s your very destiny, from the beginning of time, to be shaped and molded by the living, spiritual Word of God.
Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
God will not override your will to shape you, he works with you as you renew your mind in His ways. As you meditate in His Word, you will be faced with opportunities to hold on to old ways of thinking, or repent and adopt new life-giving ways of thinking. Herein lies the transformation.
Jesus Is The Word
The Word of God is more than just history, information, doctrine, wisdom, and instruction, it’s an aspect of God himself. Jesus IS the Word. So when you expose your heart to the written aspect of God’s identity, you’re creating the opportunity for the spirit of Jesus to manifest within you to shape and mold you into His image.
When you host His presence / Word in your heart and mind, with the intention to do His will, His spiritual Word will work its way into the nooks and crannies of your thinking, your conscience, your decision-making processes, your beliefs, and ultimately your choices. It’s what He’s trying to do all day, every day. Our role is to align with Him within and let him work in us.
Ephesians 4:21 Since you have heard about Jesus and learned the truth from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. NLT
Transformation is the result of an intentional process. God will not just change you because you prayed. There’s work to do. The work is to renew your mind, with a wide-open heart to live differently when inspired and moved by His Word. If you’re not engaging the Word on a regular basis, I’m not sure how you can expect to experience transformation.
The manifestation of transformation is not a process you can control, but it is one you must initiate and cultivate if you want to change and allow more of God’s will to be established in your life.
Here’s a practical mind-renewal exercise to try.
Homework
Philippians 4:8 Thought Life Exercise
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
This single passage, when applied, can change your life. No matter what you're facing: financial issues, relationship challenges, inner peace struggles, parenting difficulties, or sin habits, this single passage can help. Identify the area of life you want to transform and ask yourself questions on each "step" based on what the Word says specifically about that area.
For example, Parenting.
What is true about parenting? Find five passages and allow them to shape your parenting methods. What is honorable? What is the honorable thing to do for yourself, your spouse, and your children in this situation? You might have to dig a bit, but you're essentially building a parenting plan based on these points rather than just reacting to each emotional situation with no consistent boundaries or agreements.
What is right? What is the right thing for you to do, and what is the right thing to expect from your children? And if they, or you, do not adhere to that right thing or that standard, what will be the consequences or rewards? This goes for you, too. What is lovely about parenting? This is where you must cultivate a thankful heart toward your children. Are you communicating to your children what is lovely, or do they only hear from you when they have done something wrong?
Continue through the rest of each point and frame a few questions for each point. You can do this for any area. The end goal is to renew your mind in what the Word says about that area of life and create a plan to put that Word into practice. The Holy Spirit will help you, you are not left to your own wits.
