23.5.2009 Why the mind should be renewed?

"Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is, what is proper, pleasing, and perfect." Rom 12:2

Your mind can be like a battlefield, but it doesn´t have to be like one. You can learn to control your mind and through that you can learn also to control yourself. The mind is the territory, where peope think. An old saying goes: You can't prevent a bird fly over your head, but you can stop it building a nest on the top of your head. In the word of God it is said that we can learn to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2. Kor 10:5).

Many peope ask if we really can control our mind? Sure we can! Believe me, the change in your mind according to word of God will bring positive change to your life. There will be no significant, permanent change  until you learn to control your mind.

Unfortunately many Christians think that it is irrelevant what we think and only our deeds meen something to God. This is not true. God is interested in your heart (mind) as much as in your deeds. The Bible judges our wrong sinful thoughts as well as our wrong deeds and that is why we are asked to be renewed within our mind. 

Jesus said for example: 
But I say to you, anyone who stares at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matt 5:28.

The writer of Hebrew letter says: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart. No creature can hide from him, but all are naked and helpless before the eyes of the one to whom we must give a word of explanation. Heb 4:12-13

People do not like to explain themselves to anyone, but still that is how it is written!   

Then, how we should renew our mind in practise? It is very simple. Start to think and contemplate everything that is written in the word of God. For example, if you are sick, think that the word of God says that you are healthy. Isaiah writes: With his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) You may say that it is madness to think that you are healthy if you feel sick. Which is more true, the word of God or what you think is the truth (against the word of God)? Does the word of God lie? No, no! The word of God never lies! The change in your life will come trough the renewal of your mind.

I am well aware that people can be healed through many other ways, for example by the gift of grace, but now we study the things that can be achieved by the renewal of the mind.

Or, if you for example still feel quilty although you have made the repentance and been forgiven. The word of God says that the God is greater than your conscience.

Or, if you have not been babtized, you may have to realize this: Baptism is answer of a good conscience toward God. (1. Peter 3:21).

We may find these examples in various fields of life, but that is not the point. We will find an answer to any question that will arise in our lives from the word of God.

The changing of the mind is a choice of attitude. You can and you must choose the change in your life though the renewal of your mind.

Think and contemplate everything that is written in the word of God and believe it!

Matti Wendelin
Pastor
© 2009 Full Gospel for All Nations