by guest blogger Sreevidhya Issac

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.

Romans 12:2 NIV

Accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior is not the end of salvation but the beginning. What lies ahead is a journey of becoming Christlike, and yes it is a journey. This journey of a million steps is rewarding only by what Romans 12:2 calls as “renewing of our mind.”

Adapting one’s thoughts, words and actions and the totality of our life to the Word of God is the transformation God is looking for in every born-again believer, and sometimes this is challenging. Here are some tips to make it happen:

1. Understanding

Every effort to become better (at anything) stems from “understanding.” Just as faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17), mind renewal happens from not only knowing the Word but also understanding it. The crux of the cross is this: Christ offers new life. This new life can be experienced to its fullest only if we are able to get the complete knowledge of all that He offers deep into our systems. We need to adapt every aspect of ourselves to this new life.

2. Belief and Confession

When we begin to understand about this abundant life, the best way to make it come to pass is by believing and confessing. Remember, Romans 10:10, “For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.” There are no shortcuts whatsoever to believing and confessing. This exercise has to be as active as possible to keep the mind not just lively and going but also far away from the old lifestyle.

3. Do not feed the flesh

The apostle Paul has spoken extensively about the war waging between the flesh and the Spirit. While the flesh is no match to the Spirit, which one you feed the most is important. Consciously make efforts not to feed the flesh and its cravings. When circumstances or people try to spur certain weaknesses within you, that’s when, by the strength of the Lord, you need to rise up and subdue the flesh. The result is a Spirit led response that knocks the devil out and glorifies the Lord.

4. Put on the new self

When we stop feeding the flesh, our nourishment is drawn by the Spirit, and the inner man gets strengthened. The result? Rivers of living water will flow from within and heal many a parched soul, offer the love of Christ for the broken hearted, heal any disease. This is in short the ministry of our Lord Jesus: He went everywhere doing good (Acts 10:38).

5. Finish the race

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7 NIV) is a life well lived. If we are able to say this with great confidence, then we can surely hear back, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” from the Great Master Himself. What tugs at Daddy’s heartstrings is the full realization and appreciation of all He is and has done. This automatically sets us free to live the life He has called us to.

Imagine this: A born-again individual accidentally injures a leg or a hand and is bleeding profusely. Now, what is the truth in this situation?

a) The eyes see the blood and the body feels the pain

b) The heart panics

c) The mind races into things like this: Are my bones fractured? Am I going to lose a limb?

d) The Word says, “By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24 NIV).

If this born-again believer is able to compose the body, heart, and mind by using the Word, then that’s a renewed mind! We have the grace to do this. Let’s bask in the glory of grace come what may. There’s no greater role model for a believer than Jesus Christ Himself. Let the prophetic words of King David (Acts 2: 25-28) about the Messiah who was coming be the thoughts, words, and action of our lives every day:

“I see that the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.

Acts 2:25-28

Share your testimony online about how the Lord guided and coached you into renewing your mind. It would indeed serve as a guiding light to all those looking to learn more about this truth.