Ephesians 4:23
“and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.”
When we accept Christ, He forgives our sin and gives us a new nature. We are no longer fallen. When Adam and Eve sinned, they died spiritually as did all of the human race. We were the walking dead. It's as if we had spiritual glasses and could see it. The worst part is that we are (or were) separated from God. He still does much for us, because He loves us and He wants to redeem us.
When one is first born again they are babes in Christ. Several things are needed. One of those is to learn how to walk this new life. The bible spells it out. The problem is many of us have lived decades and have learned many bad habits. We have to unlearn them. I can recall being 18 and with my friends drinking on a truck bed in Silverado Canyon. That should have been great. It felt empty and was my last time to do so. I had new appetites and this conflicted with them. The Holy Spirit was working in my heart.
The bible suggests several things to assist in renewing our minds; going to church, reading the bible, associating with other christians, sharing our faith and so on. Going to church exposes us to constant and consistent bible teaching. It also brings us together with those who are like minded. This is very inspirational. Hebrews 10:24 says, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds."
Sharing our testimony is exciting. The bible calls us witnesses and this sharing is witnessing. It's an interesting description as it sounds like legal language. Like being called to the stand and asked to testify. We have experienced being born again and we are to share that. We aren't to debate, but to share. Those hearing are to choose to take it or leave it.
Sharing our faith deepens it. Somehow God blesses us greatly in the process. Part of this is being filled with joy. Those not in Christ don't understand this. We are to share it. They may take it often want more.
One of the biggest ways we renew our minds is by reading the bible. The bible compares itself to seeds that grow when planted. That which grows is the character and the life of God. This is when life comes alive. We were alive, but not spiritually.
The bible is spiritual food. We gobble it up as our pets do when feeding. We learn to love our bible time with God. It's far more than knowledge, but food. It feeds our spirits. The bible is His Word. It tells us about Him, it shares HIs promises to us, it provides examples, it warns us about sin and temptation and so on. This food renews our minds.
The bible is alive. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart." When we read the bible it enters our hearts and performs it's task. Isaiah 55:11 says, "so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it."
God will use His Words to accomplish what He pleases in our lives. It may be directional, encouraging, warning and so on. The more we read and listen to teachings the more we get His Word in our lives and the more opportunities we offer Him to speak to us. This is renewing our minds.
This renewing our minds keeps us out of trouble. Our old desires can bring us to bad places. As Christ renews our minds, we often don't go down those troubled roads any more.
Renewing our minds is to think like Christ. What a privilege, to have the mind of Christ. He tells us the attitudes we should have and gives us the desire to adopt them. He puts those desires in our hearts.
Lord, thank You for renewing our minds. Thank You for the new desires You impart.