The Transforming Power of God's Word
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
There is something important we must understand about the mind of a believer. Although you received a new life when you became born again, your patterns of thinking do not automatically become perfect. You may have spent many years developing certain beliefs, fears, attitudes, and ways of interpreting life. Some of these beliefs may have been influenced by your upbringing, your environment, your experiences, or the things people repeatedly told you. However, God's Word must now become the authority through which you examine what you believe.
The instruction in Romans 12:2 reveals that transformation takes place through the renewing of the mind. This means that if you desire to see significant changes in the way you live, you must pay attention to the way you think. A person who constantly thinks in agreement with fear will find it difficult to take steps of faith. A person who believes that nothing good can come out of his life may continually reject opportunities that could have changed his future. In the same way, a believer who has never learned what the Scriptures say concerning forgiveness may find it difficult to receive God's forgiveness confidently.
Renewing your mind involves exposing your thinking to the truth of God's Word until that truth begins to influence your decisions, responses, and expectations. You must learn to question beliefs that contradict what God has said. When you discover a truth in Scripture, meditate on it, accept it, and begin to act in agreement with it. Over time, you will discover that circumstances which once intimidated you no longer control your response because your understanding has changed.
Prayer
Father, renew my mind through Your Word. Expose every belief, thought, and attitude that is contrary to Your truth. Help me to think correctly and make decisions that reflect Your wisdom, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Confession
My mind is renewed by the Word of God. I think in agreement with God's truth. My decisions are guided by wisdom, and my life is experiencing continuous transformation.
Further reading: Ephesians 4:20–24, Philippians 4:8–9, Colossians 3:1–2.