Young Christian Leaders' Alliance

Justin Summerlin

“But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2b)

As we saw in The Will of God Part 1, many people think the will of God is to know who to marry and what job they will have when they are young. God generally does not reveal specific answers to us, but he does give us clear directions and steps about following His good, acceptable, and perfect will.  The first part of following God’s will is to not conform to the world. The second part is to be transformed by renewing your mind.

“Transforming” is in direct contrast to “conforming.” Conforming is to become like, whereas transforming is total change from the inside out. Another word for this transformation is metamorphosis. Think of the process an ugly caterpillar goes through to become a beautiful butterfly. It must go into a cocoon stage where the worm is transformed. Every part of its anatomy is changed from its physical inside to its beautiful outside.

So how are we transformed? We need to renew our mind! Renewing has the idea of renovating. When a house is renovated, it often needs to be totally “gutted” out. All the walls, carpet, counters, cabinets, toilets, and showers are taken out and thrown away. Our mind sometimes is just like that renovated house that needs to have the corrupt or unprofitable thrown out. Throw out the garbage that the world has so cunningly flooded your mind with, turn off the worldly influence of your TV and iPod, and get your Bible out.

The word "mind" is mentioned 92 times in the KJV. While scanning through the verses I found a majority of them talking about being of “one mind,” “of the same mind,” or “be likeminded.” I would encourage you to look up these 92 times the word “mind” is mentioned. Much could be said about the mind, but I want to focus in on what Philippians 2 says about the mind of Christ. (Notice in verse 2 the mention to be “of one mind.”)  

Though we are heirs of the King of Kings, let’s have the mind of a servant and be humble. I challenge you to be transformed by renewing your mind to have the mind of Christ.