DEVOTION//Be transformed by the renewal of your mind
Faith in Jesus powerfully informs and guides every aspect of our life. How? Our mind is renewed by faith.
Our mind gathers information
Our faith is the primary filter for our mind. Faith is not a filter from information, for all information can be useful. Faith filters how information affects our lives. Faith filters which information guides our decisions, for not all information is useful, good, or godly.
Our culture tells our mind that having a declining relationship with our spouse is normal and to be expected.
Our faith tells us that God encourages a healthy relationship with our spouse.
Our mind informs us that money and things will make us happy because when we have money and things we can be happy for a while.
Our faith reminds us that money and things are secondary to happiness in life, that Jesus is central to lasting and true happiness.
Culture informs our mind that being sexually active with whomever and whenever we want is healthy and good.
Faith informs us that God has a better plan for sexuality.
Our culture informs our mind that the evolutionary hypothesis explains how all animals, plants, and people came to be.
Faith informs us that the complexity of life and the structures of life cannot evolve no matter how much time is given. The structures of life are too complex.
When faith guides our mind, our heart is guided to set aside the ungodly encouragements of life. Then, our convictions and actions are guided by God and Scripture.
Our renewed mind influences our will
Some actions seem to sneak up on us without our will’s involvement. Temptation can be sneaky.
Paul did say in Romans seven that the good he wanted was not what he did but the evil he did not want was what he did.
The power of our sinful will over the godly will is very real. And the conflict is ongoing.
Even so, the more faith in Christ guides our will, the less likely the will of the sinful nature will influence our actions.
Your mind has been renewed by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit used faith in Christ Jesus to change your perspective on God and life. Now God’s will does not seem foreign or wrong. His will is perceived as wisdom.
Align your mind, your actions, and your heart with your faith. Such growth in Jesus will guide you and transform you and your actions. Here’s the way that transformation happens:
Do not continue to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you test and approve what is the will of God—what is good, pleasing, and perfect (Romans 12:2, EHV).
Source: J. Bauma