Transforming Our Minds and Renewing Our Thoughts

Transformed Attitudes

Romans 12:1-2 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Do want to change?  Why do we want to change? Can we change? If so, how do we change? By NOT allowing ourselves to be conformed to this world, and through the Holy Spirit’s transforming our thoughts and renewing our mind!  What we learn as disciples from the time of our spiritual birth in scripture is that God’s work in us through His Holy Spirit will continually work to transform our attitudes, so that rather than reflecting the attitudes of the flesh, we reflect the character of Christ.

A. According to scripture, the attitudes of mind that need to be transformed are illustrated in:

         Rom. 1:28 - "a depraved mind, to do things which are not proper"

         Rom. 8:5,7 - "mind set on the flesh"
         Rom. 12:16 - "haughty in mind"
         II Cor. 4:4 - "blinded the minds of unbelieving"
         II Cor. 11:3 - "minds led astray from simplicity and purity to Christ"
         Eph. 2:3 - "the desires of the flesh and of the mind"
         Eph. 4:17 - "the futility of their mind" *
         Phil. 3:19 - "set their minds on earthly things"
         Col. 1:21 - "alienated and hostile in mind"
         Col. 2:18 - "inflated without cause by a fleshly mind"
         Titus 1:15 - "their mind and their conscience are defiled"

B.  Calls for renewal:

            Rom. 12:2 - "be transformed by the renewing of your mind"

            II Cor. 4:16 - "our inner man is being renewed day by day"
            Eph. 4:23 - "be renewed in the spirit of your mind"
            Col. 3:10 - "the new man is being renewed to a true knowledge."
            Titus 3:5 - "renewing by the Holy Spirit"

What is the definition of “transformed” – to change completely and usually in a good way – a change in character or condition, to change the outward form or appearance.

What is the definition of “renewal” - to make (something) new, fresh, or strong again; to begin (something) again especially with more force or enthusiasm.

C. Attitudes of a renewed mind:

         Isa. 26:3 - "the steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace"

         Jere. 17:10 - "I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind"
         Jere. 20:12 - "The Lord who sees the mind and the heart"
         Matt. 22:37 - "Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength"
         Rom. 14:5 - "let each man be fully convinced in his own mind" *
         I Cor. 2:16 - "we have the mind of Christ"
         Phil. 2:5 - "have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus"
         Phil. 4:8 - "whatever is true, right, pure...let your mind dwell on these..."
         Col. 3:2 - "set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth"
         Heb. 8:10; 10:16 - "I will put my laws into their minds"
         I Pet. 1:13 - "gird your minds for action" *
         Rev. 2:23 - "I am He who searches the minds and hearts”

How does our mind (or thoughts) affect how we change?

Romans 8:5-8 - For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

How does the Enemy (Satan) hinder the transformation of our mind?

II Corinthians 11:3 - But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

II Cor. 4:4 – “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

So how are we now different?

Ephesians 2:3-5 - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.

How can the mind be renewed to develop godly attitudes?

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Ephesians 4:23 – “and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds” [by the Holy Spirit’s help!!]