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Renew Your Mind

The Bible tells us that we need to renew our minds. Have you ever wondered why that is? It is because what we think is what we become. As we read in the Old Testament, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV). What we think about is what we are going to yearn for and what we will become. Rene Descartes famously wrote the next phrase: “I think, therefore I am.”

What we think about is what we will be worried about, what we worry about will be what we are afraid will happen, and that will become our idol. What do you think about? Do you think like a Christian (taking every thought captive to obey Christ) or do you think as the world thinks, and just add a Christian tagline or motto to your thoughts?

When we renew our minds we start to think Christianly. This changes the way we do things. It changes the way we parent, how we treat our spouse, how we talk and act in our workplace, and how we live our lives. It is not enough to just keep thinking the same way we used to think before, adding a few touch-ups and shining it all up. That will not make a difference. We need to renew our minds entirely.

It is so important for us to understand that the way we think affects our lives. It is the difference between living a life of sin and death and between a life of freedom and peace. Max Anders, a biblical commentator and author, says, 

"You move in the direction of what you put into your mind and what you allow your mind to dwell on. So, if you are not what you want to be, then you must begin to think differently. If you are to think differently, you must put into your mind that which you want to become. If you do, the Holy Spirit will use it to change you, to become what you want to be. If you do not, you will never be what you want to be. It all depends on what you put in your mind. This is what it means to be new in the attitude of your mind."

I want to encourage you to read the Scriptures and to fill your mind with the Word of God. Worship and listen to preaching. Fill your mind with the things of God, so it will be renewed in a godly way, and then you will respond to things in a godly manner.