What Does the Bible Say About Renewing the Mind?
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If you’ve been a Christian for very long, you know about Romans 12:2. You’ve heard sermons about renewing the mind, and yet many Christians continue to live out of their old mindset.
It is so easy as a believer to default back to our old mind, but if we truly wish to stop living like a victim and live like a victor; if we truly desire to be more like Jesus we must lose our old minds and start living our lives with a renewed mind.
The Bible has a lot to say about renewing the mind
Take a moment and jot these verses down. They are great for your war room, to help you remember to live everyday with a renewed mind in Jesus Christ!
I understand that you can’t expect a sinner to behave in any other way than how sinners behave. When those who claim to have experienced new birth through faith in Jesus Christ are behaving in the same way, I have some serious questions.
I know how the argument goes:
“I am not perfect, just forgiven.”
“I am just a sinner, saved by grace.”
“You may be born again but you sin a little bit every day.”
How do these excuses for sinful behavior match with Scripture?
What Does the Bible Say About Renewing the Mind?
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:15-17 NKJV).
The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus urging them “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24 NKJV).
The Apostle John taught “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:7-9 NKJV).
It is amazing how the Apostles and the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, believed and taught being born again means you grow spiritually and develop new behavior patterns that are consistent with the new life of the Holy Spirit and the old sinful behavior is to put away.
It is not a matter of legalism and a list of do’s and don’ts.
It is a matter of losing your old mind and new life patterns flowing out of a renewed mind and the Holy Spirit within you, motivated by a deep love for God
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us… But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesian 5:1-5 NKJV).
Believers are acting so much like the world because they haven’t lost their minds!
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Read more of my articles on renewing the mind:
The Power of a Renewed Mind
4 Powerful Ways a Renewed Mind Can Change Your Life
Pastor Dean Sermon Archives Episode 27 – How to Live in the Victory of a Renewed Mind
Pastor Dean Sermon Archives Episode 28 – The Key to Living the Blessed Life
What Does the Bible Say About Renewing the Mind?
Two Ways Jesus’ Sacrifice Brought Emotional Healing
Why Christians Today Look So Much Like the World
4 Ways We Live Life as a New Creation
2 Ways Strongholds Prevent Renewing the Mind
2 Steps to Renewing Your Mind
Pastor Dean Sermon Archives Episode 38 – This is How God Makes All Things New In You
The old is passed away , the new takes over, the Spirit live in us to guide us but we must listen
Amen Debbie!
Oh, was I thankful to read these words of truth this morning! Thank you for exposing these excuses to keep on sinning. I get SO tired of hearing the same exact cop-outs you have mentioned here. It is an insult against the blood of Jesus to think that after all He suffered and the great sacrifices He made that a person cannot live a victorious life. He came to cleanse us from ALL sin. So many take on the mindset that grace is a free ticket to sin and continue to live any shipshod way they want. Grace enables us NOT to sin. It enables us to live above sin and be CHANGED and transformed, as you said, by the renewing of our minds. When someone goes on living like there has been no inward changed, they are just proving that there has been no inward change. Jesus came to give us more…an abundant life, free from sin. I know we all make mistakes and will make many more and need His forgiveness and grace. But, to willfully go on living in sin is perfect proof that a person has not been transformed on the inside. I just rejoiced in the truth you brought forth here today and praise God for your courage. Have a wonderful day in Him.
Cheryl – it was so encouraging to read your comment. I praise God for those who understand the true meaning of grace and the power to live lives that glorify God. I pray that your light will continue to shine for Him as you speak and share the truth of God’s Word!