Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
I was thinking the other morning about the renewing of the mind. When an individual thinks one way, what does it take to make them think differently? Time, a relationship, some sort of epiphany (awakening to a truth) but to change a mind that is convinced that something is the truth is a pretty tetanic shift in who a person fundamentally is. I think one of the best examples we have as believers is Saul's (Paul's) conversion on the road to Damascus.
Sometimes a person's belief is changed by a relationship. A women was raised in a rural area and was somewhat conservative but you would not know that when you meet her today. She has changed her viewpoint and accepted her husband’s viewpoint. Jesus Christ came to have a relationship with us and the changing of the mind because of that relationship, should and is most profound.
When you think about it, if we are convinced that something is the truth, how or why would we, from within ourselves, ever convince ourselves that it is no longer true. It takes something from without to change that which is within. We are transformed by what, "the renewing of our minds". Jesus rose from the dead to have a relationship with us and to send us the Spirit to transform us by transforming our minds.
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.
God Bless,
Al Willems
