RighteousnessSample

Renewing Your Mind

An important element in the process of changing our hearts and leaning towards righteousness is knowing when to acknowledge wrongdoing. Mistakes can make us miserable. The wrong things can even sometimes cost us our lives. When we make bad choices, we have to consider if we consulted with God so that we could make a righteous decision to begin with. Sometimes we complain about deliverance being delayed and not coming quickly enough. We get angry at God and discontent with his process. He gives us free will, so he will never overrule our choices. This means when we ask and consult him before we choose or before we make decisions - no matter how big or small the matter - we are attempting righteousness because we want God to not only endorse our choices, we want him to be honored by them and to be a reflection that others see in the results of our choices and in the way we correct our mistakes. We are not greater than our choices, but we are certainly greater than the mistakes we make. Our choices reflect what we value. Conditions can be temporary. Lasting decisions shouldn’t be made in temporary circumstances. So when we pursue the right things, we leave old ways behind and go after righteousness with full force.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Convictions require severance at some point. You cannot hold onto something while also holding onto that which contradicts it. For instance, in our friendships, it can be hard to maintain a friendship with a person who is a thief if you do not steal. The righteousness of God in your life will pull you further and further away from the person and even convict you to encourage them to stop stealing and live a more honest life. And I think it’s fair to say that about anything in our lives that we are attracted to or are interested in. If you aren’t willing to listen to everything God has to say, you eventually won’t hear anything He has to say. Suppose you want to hear His comforting voice, such as acknowledging blessings like protection and provision. In that case, you must listen to His convicting voice as the acknowledgment of warnings when something is right and wrong, then choose to pursue what is right.

Righteousness convicts us to get away from stagnant places because it requires a change of heart. When you change your heart, you change your life. If you want lasting change in your life, you have to start with your mind and body, including changing the way you think so that you honor God through the things you think and the things you let into your mind.

That’s true spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. You’ve got to take off the old before you can put on the new. You must stop consuming negative, hurtful, and unfruitful things and start taking in things that edify God and make you more like him. In renewing your mind, you’ve got to put off before you can put on.

Spend time meditating on these scriptures:

Romans 12:2

2 Peter 1:3-7

Ephesians 4:22-24

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Answer these questions and reflect on your answers:

1. What is your mind filled with? Is it the righteousness of God?
2. What do you need to “take off?”
3. What do you need to “put on?”

Affirm and declare these statements:

I will not be led astray; God is always guiding me.

God help me to do what is right, just, and fair.

I receive the power of God to renew my mind.

Pray in petition to God to pursue His will and way.