Romans 12:2: What Does it Mean to Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind?

The hope of every born again believer is to be transformed into the image of Christ. (Gal.4:19) In order to be transformed, we must renew our mind by the constant bathing of the word of God which has power unto salvation. "...our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power." (1 Thess. 1:5) We are not to conform to the ways of this sinful world which is temporary. The Holy scriptures have the power to turn our thoughts and attitudes toward God and away from the carnal ways of the world. Without the cleansing power of the word, we become insensitive to sin.

Having to live and work in an unbelieving world can greatly influence the mind. By the end of the day, we often find ourselves thinking and even acting like unbelievers due to such close association. Most of us are bombarded daily by backbiting competition, vulgar language, gossip, and all kinds of worldly temptations. "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." (Romans 12:2)

As physical beings living in a physical world that we can see, feel, and touch, it is very easy to get caught up in its ways. We can't escape all of the corruption that is in the world today but we can reduce its influence by the cleansing power of the word. "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3) Paul said that we can't isolate ourselves from the wickedness around us (1 Cor.5:9-10) but that we can take the necessary steps to protect ourselves from its influence by the renewing of our mind. Bible study and prayer can renew the righteous thoughts, feelings and intent which the world can so easily strip away.

When we study the scriptures which tell us that as Christians we are to work, not only to provide for our families, but also for those in need, (1 Thess.4:11) be satisfied with what we have, and do all things as unto the Lord (col.3:17); we are reminded to do our best in all that we do and not to follow the examples of the world. The book of Psalms can fill our mind with words of praise to God, while cleansing it of the senseless worship of movie stars and sports figures. The book of proverbs reminds us that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Prov.9:10) pushing aside evolution which tells us there is no God.

The steadfast renewing of our mind through prayer and scripture helps us to love righteousness and abhor that which is evil. It reminds us to be kind one to another in all circumstances with brotherly love.

God's holy word has the power to cleanse our mind of worldly contamination, filling us with the knowledge of God while prayer strengthens our spirit and increases our wisdom. The word of God is our sword and an essential part of our spiritual armor. Consistent renewing of our mind through prayer and meditation in God's word pushes worldly influences out and renews our thinking, transforming us into the image of Christ. Therefore, we should strive to renew our mind by faithful prayer and Bible study in order to be conformed to the image of Christ; which is the perfect will of God.

RENEW YOUR MIND CHALLENGE WITH RENEW YOUR MIND PLAN FOR RENEW YOUR MIND HOPE

THE PROJECT

You will need to perform this daily, taking one day off per week for rest, as we are taught to do. (Honor the Sabbath Day.) This day can be either Saturday (Jewish Sabbath) or Sunday (Lord's day) ... You will need to create 3 charts. Each chart will fit on a single sheet of lined paper. One Chart will be called Mind the next Body and the third Spirit. For each page, MIND, BODY, and SPIRIT, there are 10 activities per page which means you make 10 columns for each activity. (We will talk about the activities in a lil bit.) Be sure to add a column at far left of page for the date and another column at the far right for the daily score. This means your page will have 12 columns total

Guilt

While we have been on the topic of guilt I thought it would be a good time to share what the Lord has shown me.

There is a good type of guilt.    And there is  a bad type of guilt.   That sounds like an oxymoron but the truth is there is  Godly sorrow that leads a person to repentance (2 Cor 7:10).   This would be conviction from the Holy Spirit.

John 16:8, "when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin..."

This type of guilt lifts when a person repents.   And than there is the accusations, the condemnations from the devil.   Condemnation is never from the Lord.   NEVER.    And God will not leave you feeling drained or attacked.  

Now this is where I am going to be extremely honest because this is where the Lord had to be the same way with me.    Any time we have false guilt,  it is a symptom of unforgiveness.    See I had so much guilt.    No I was not an ax murderer.   I honestly have not been a "bad girl".  But deep inside I had unforgiveness and I beat myself up over and over.   But what I haven't said yet is... that unforgiveness is directed at yourself.

  Colossians 3:13 says "...forgiving one another..." The phrase 'one another' in the Greekis Heautou, which also includes ourself!

Hebrews 12:15- See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Sidenote:  If you have repented of your sins and you are still feeling guilt... go back and look for a stronghold of guilt.    This is back to not accepting Christ's sacrifice,  His love, and that your sins have been washed in the blood of the Lamb.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

I want to close with a few verses on forgiveness

Psalms 103:12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

Revelations 1:5, "And from Jesus Christ, who... washed us from our sins in his own blood."

Psalms 103:12, "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

Matthew 26:28, "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." Do you know what the NT Greek has to say about the word 'remission' here? "Forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty."

Isaiah 43:25, "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."

Hebrews 9:14, "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

Not only did God chose to forget your sins, but He also wants you to forget them as well. God's Word tells us to, "...draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22)

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus tells us, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Forgiveness

Opening Riddle: The Miracle of Forgiveness

Mark 2:7-11 (Wey) "Why does this man use such words?" they said; "He is blaspheming. Who can pardon sins but One--that is, God?"... Jesus asked them, "Which is easier?--to say to this paralytic, 'Your sins are pardoned,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your mat, and walk?' But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to pardon sins"--He turned to the paralytic, and said, "To you I say, 'Rise, take up your mat and go home.'"

What Comes Naturally To The Spirit In Us

Mat 6:12 (NIV) Forgive us our debts, AS WE also have forgiven our debtors.

In other words, this forgiveness stuff should be expected as normal and intuitive for Christians. And it is. As an analogy, grace working in us through the power of the Holy Spirit is like water pressure from a faucet, where we are a hose through which that water should flow. If we are attached, the power is not ours; but the waters of life can course in and through us as we are connected to the source.

Occasionally, though, forgiveness can become elusive--even seemingly impossible. The hose has gotten "kinked" somehow. It is not as if God has failed, or that we do not know better, or what should happen, we just cannot, for some reason, enter into obedience. If this is the case, here is some practical Biblical advice to again find the flow of God's nature and Spirit in and through you. For the way of forgiveness should be "second nature" for those born again.

Remember What We Have Been Forgiven From!

Mat 18:21-27 (NIV) Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go."

Mat 18:28-35 (NIV) "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow-servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. His fellow-servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow-servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Where this servant failed, then, is in FORGETTING the merciful treatment His master gave him. He FORGOT the great sin he was forgiven of.

2 Pet 1:9 (NAS) ...For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

Let us not make the same mistake. Let us make sure to remember our salvation from former sins, even if it means some people (who think they are serving God!) accuse us of being "negative".

Various people and teachers will have various opinions and advice about forgiveness. But by Biblical revelation, not remembering appears to be the MAJOR reason for "kinking" the supernatural flow of forgiveness in our lives. Are we less in need of forgiveness than those we are judging and holding in unforgiveness? Really? Have we so quickly forgotten the great mercy God has shown us when we needed it?

Luke 18:9-14 (NIV) To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God...

Mat 5:21-22 (NIV) "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment..."

1Sam 16:7 (NIV) ...The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Authorized By Grace... We Can Do What God Does

Col 3:12-13 (Jer) You are God's chosen race, his saints; he loves you, and you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive each other as soon as a quarrel begins. The Lord has forgiven you; now you must do the same.

1 Pet 2:21-23 (NEB) To that you were called, because Christ suffered on your behalf, and thereby left you an example; it is for you to follow in his steps. He committed no sin, he was convicted of no falsehood; when he was abused he did not retort with abuse, when he suffered he uttered no threats, but committed his cause to the One who judges justly.

1 Pet 3:9 (NEB) Do not repay wrong with wrong, or abuse with abuse; on the contrary, retaliate with blessing, for a blessing is the inheritance to which you yourselves have been called.

Luke 6:27-37 (NRS) "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you... 

Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same... But love your enemies, do good... and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful... Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Eph 4:31-32 (Phi) Let there be no more bitter resentment or anger, no more shouting or slander, and let there be no bad feeling of any kind among you. Be kind to each other, be compassionate. Be as ready to forgive others as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

Heb 12:15 (Jer) Be careful that no one is deprived of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness should begin to grow and make trouble; this can poison a whole community.

Rom 12:17-21 (Phi) Don't pay back a bad turn by a bad turn, to anyone. See that your public behavior is above criticism. As far as your responsibility goes, live at peace with everyone. Never take vengeance into your own hands, my dear friends: stand back and let God punish if he will. For it is written: "It is mine to avenge, I will repay," says the Lord. And it is also written: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Don't allow yourself to be overpowered by evil. Take the offensive--overpower evil with good!

The Levite carries his slain concubine after she is sodmized to death in Gibeah

Conditional Forgiveness

Mat 6:12 (TEB) "Forgive us the wrongs that we have done, as we forgive the wrongs others have done us."

Luke 6:37 (NIV) "...Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Mat 6:14-15 (NIV) "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But, if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Assuming the teaching of Mat 6:15 and other such verses is understood and acknowledged as true, rather than emphasize the need to forgive in this Bible study--i.e., the law--we will instead look at five cheap substitutes or impediments to forgiveness, and then at what real forgiveness is, how to attain it, and how to remain in it. And we may find that forgiveness is more difficult, and more easy, than we first thought.

Sin Is Only Human...

What is natural to "the flesh" (the carnal nature) when we have been hurt or abused or insulted is to strike back, to plot revenge, or to simmer in bitterness. This is "only human". But God requires forgiveness, else He will NOT forgive us. If we are unwilling--or unable--to forgive, then there is no use asking God for what He has told us He will not give. For believers, dealing with the sin of unforgiveness is first priority.

Mark 11:25 (NIV) "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

As a way to test the veracity of the following points, let us consider forgiveness in the most radical sense we can. Think of something truly wicked that has been done to you or someone you love, not by accident or error but deliberately and with malice--where you have come right up against evil and the pain caused by it in your own emotions.

What Forgiveness Is Not: Play Acting For Show...

Remember when as a child you were forced by some adult to "forgive" someone who was first forced to "say sorry" to you? Is this really repentance by the perpetrator... or forgiveness by the victim? Well, perhaps so--in a few rare cases. But let us be honest and acknowledge that this charade by children is more often a temporary cessation of hostilities for the sake of the grown-ups, with the full intent to do more of the same violence (and not get caught) and/or get revenge later--when beyond the adult's watchful eye.

Adults force children through this ritual because strife in a family or group of kids is an unbearable pain; and they want to teach. Play-acting does give at least a temporary reprieve. But God's pain is more acute when He sees our strife with each other, and His solution aims a little deeper than mere words or mimicry or delay or coating over. For He is aiming not at hypocritical play-acting, but at truth from the inside out.

This childish pantomime of "forgiveness" often carries into adulthood as a superficial substitute for the real thing. We think by "saying so", it is so. But is God fooled by such? Is there ever a place where we can escape His penetrating gaze? Does He not see the secret meditation of revenge or the bitter hatred behind the nice smile? Since when is He impressed with mere words when hearts do not match?

Mark 7:6 (Phi) Jesus replied, "You hypocrites, Isaiah described you beautifully when he wrote: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.' These teachings are but rules made by men."

Impediments To Forgiveness: The Lure Of Sin

Another impediment to forgiveness is that bitterness, revenge, hatred, etc. have a perverted sort of appeal. Who has not felt the intoxicating lure of a grandiose meditation of scorching retribution? While we know this is wrong, it sure is great fun in the moment to fondle such thoughts.

Eph 4:26-27,31 (NIV) "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold... Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Vengeance Is The Lord's... But Only If He Acts As My Agent?

Rom 12:19 (NIV) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

Surely God has more power to pour wrath on our enemies than we do, and He surely sees the evil done all too clearly. So the thought may strike us to let Him do the dirty work. But when we think this through, it may not turn out as the carnal man within us might like. For let us face the plain fact that God has this habit of forgiving people and extending great mercy, at least for the time being.

So... we may not see fire from heaven come down to consume those we wish would receive God's vengeance. It is not that He is letting them off by some magic or deflection of mind, it is just that He may take the painful punishment Himself.

Prov 24:17 (NAS) Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles.

Mat 5:44-45 (NEB) "But what I tell you is this: love your enemies and pray for your persecutors; only so can you be like children of your heavenly Father, who makes his sun rise on good and bad alike, and sends the rain on the honest and the dishonest. If you love only those who love you, what reward can you expect? Surely the tax-gatherers do as much as that. And if you greet only your brothers, what is there extraordinary about that? Even the heathen do as much. There must be no limit to your goodness, as your heavenly Father's goodness knows no bounds."

Let us "count the cost" of letting God deal with our "enemies". He may bless them, prosper them, and save their eternal souls, rather than strike them dead with a lightning bolt. For this is what God is like, and what He is "up to" just now. And this may not satisfy our sense of what should happen. If we "let go and let God", He may well forgive and bless and love those we have plotted against and smoldered in hatred for, and even give us this same "foolish" (1 Cor 1:25) mindset.

Luke 17:3-5 (Phi) "So be careful how you live. If your brother offends you, take him to task 
about it, and if he is sorry, forgive him. Yes, if he wrongs you seven times in one day and turns to you and says, 'I am sorry' seven times, you must forgive him. And the apostles said to the Lord, 'give us more faith.'"

Is Real Forgiveness Humanly Possible?

It has been said, "To err is human, to forgive divine." There is a truth in this. Luke 7:49 (GLT) And those reclining with Him began to say within themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

For what "seems right to a man" (Prov 16:25) is revenge. If the offense is not avenged, will not the perpetrator be sanctioned in his behavior to do more of the same? What about justice and fairness? Does forgiveness even "work" at a mere human level? What would happen to our society if everyone REALLY did this? Is "loving our enemies" something that appeals to our sensibilities? Does it even make any sense to the natural man?

Which Is Easier?

Perhaps the greatest impediment to forgiveness is the idea that we could actually do it on our own, that it is a human quality. Consider that we are as capable, and likely, to supernaturally heal someone in our own strength... as to be able to forgive them. For which is easier?

Mat 9:5-6 (NIV) Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home."

What Only God Can Do

When God says we should do something that is reasonably within our power, then we can mistake our own carnal self-efforts for Spirit-led obedience. But when we hear Him say something impossible or impractical like "be perfect" (Mat 5:48) we despair and realize that it will only be by grace that we are saved, through faith in Him who alone has the qualities God requires. For this is "God stuff" we are talking about here. If "perfection" is not given to us from Christ, we will never get it on our own.

John 15:5 (NKJ) "...For without Me you can do nothing."

On the scale of things Jesus told us we must do, perhaps just below His demand of "perfection" as being impossible to attain in our own resources... is forgiveness.

Let us recognize that only God can forgive. It is not humanly possible. If we "get it" at all, it will be by God's very nature being imputed to us. And right here is the secret to real forgiveness. It is divine.

Luke 5:20-21 (NIV) When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Experiencing God

It is assumed that every believer will have had some experience at true forgiveness, even if vicariously through a movie or book or story. And in the range of human emotion, true forgiveness ranks as one of the sweetest and most pleasurable that a human can feel. Corrie Ten Boom called this after-effect of forgiveness "a flood of joy and peace". The burden of bitterness is removed, there is a supernatural "rightness" to it, conflict is replaced with resonance, and love floods in where hatred once ruled. This is no accident, it is the very nature of God coursing through us. It is grace at work. For the only way to truly forgive is to have His life in us. All else is play-acting, denial, or capitulation to sin.

May we be encouraged all the more to this aspect of "Christ in us", now that we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good.

While many Christians are off chasing bogus revivals and spiritual hucksters making self-claims to be "anointed" or chasing some wind of doctrine to get some splash of spiritual thrill, what often goes untried is God's way of obedience. Want to experience God? FORGIVE. Want to feel His presence and power coursing through your body in a thrilling moment of supernatural encounter? Forgive.

What is truth?

John 17:17
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Jesus, praying to the Father, gives a clear and straightforward definition of truth: God's Word. The Holy Bible (Scripture—the word of truth) was given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16). The Greek expression translated "inspiration of God" literally means "God-breathed"! He actively and fully inspired the Bible to reveal His truth to us.

His promises, His commands, His word—they are all truth, plain and simple. After all, "The LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?" (Isaiah 14:27). If God says something, there is no force that can stop Him from doing it—we can rest assured that it will be done.

Intercession - by Derek Prince

Intercession - Part 1 by Derek Prince
Intercession - Part 2 by Derek Prince

Hurt that does not go away

 I have had times where I just cannot stop dwelling on something.   Ex: you just were divorced.   You think you are healed.. but some romance comes on t.v. and it makes you hurt.. physically hurt because you shouldn't be divorced.   Or this can be emotional hurts like anger, resentment.  Touchy about your past:  Reminders of the past or discussing the past get you upset. Hard to forgive:  Some things are just hard to forgive.   I know women who have been cheated on and they just cannot get over it.    And let's be honest, that is a hard wound to bare.  Don't always feel loved:  Having a hard time accepting others love, or feeling their love,  or accepting the Lord's love.   

Angry at God

 It amazes me how often we are willing to point a finger at God for anything painful or disappointing in our own lives.    Where was he?   Why didn't he stop this?   But we also forget He gave us free will, and were we seeking His will or determined to walk our own roads?

Angry at others:  Angry,  want to retaliate?  Is it just festering inside of you.   Are you seething? I had one of my family call last night and he/she wanted to know what another family member was saying.   I said why?   They thought they should know.   I said knowing isn't going to change anything.   There isn't anything you can do about it.   And in fact you are just going to get angrier and than when you confront the person you are going to repeat what you have been told and it's going to drag everyone else into this.    Ohhhh this family member was not happy with me.   But the truth is... he/she feeds on what the others do,  gets angry about it,  feels used,  but who is it that allows themself to be used?   And than this person gets angrier,  goes on pity parties,  plays the martyr.    Well guess what hunny... you are doing it to yourself.   

Escaping reality:   This is one I know really well.   If I am hurting I will play games to distract myself from the hate.    I will read more often.   I know when my youngest son is stressing more because he will play xbox nightly.   

Isolating ones self:   I forgot about this one until just now.    You want to be away from people.   You want to lick your wounds in private.   However I want to break this one down a tiny bit further.   I had something painful happen almost a year ago and I did isolate myself away from quite a few people.    Part of the reason I did was because I was feeling shame.    It wasn't that I did anything that I should feel shame for, but I was taking on someone else's shame.    Which I guess should have been mentioned under shame....  so let's side note here... sometimes we carry other's burdens and shame.   I know a girl whose brother was a killer.. she carried the shame of his crimes.   Think about that.   

Back to the isolating.   I did not isolate myself from everyone, only those who would add to the pain or shame.... that would not build me up but tear me down.   So there are situations where you might want to consider partially isolating yourself.   Maybe that is not the right word in this circumstance.  Maybe the right word is choosing who are real friends and who are not.