Renewing the Mind

by Clark Dugger

Certainly our mind controls our actions, for all that we do or say must first come from our mind. But the word "mind" can refer to more than just thought process. The apostle Paul uses the word "mind" on many occasions to refer to the attitude and disposition that an individual has towards life, and uses the word to indicate purpose, inclination and intent. He speaks of those at variance with God as having "reprobate minds" (Rom. 1:28), "corrupt minds" (1 Tim. 6:5), "defiled minds" (Titus 1:15), and says that such individuals "walk in the vanity of their mind" (Eph. 4:17).

For one to be converted to the Lord there must first be a radical change in mind or attitude toward God and His will. This change of mind will manifest itself in a change of behavior. But conversion is more than external reforms. It is a transformation of character, a change of heart or mind from which flow the issues of life. The wise man says: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). As people of God we are concerned exclusively with serving and pleasing Him so that we might be able to "dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

We therefore reflect the Divine viewpoint in life. We set our "minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth" (Col. 3:2). Being spiritually minded rather than carnally minded we have the mind of Christ who emptied self, took the form of a servant and "humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:5-8).

But such transformation is not a one time occurrence. It is, rather, a continuing process that must be constantly renewed. And so Paul writes, "And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:2). This renewing process is essential to the new man, the man of God who is striving to become more like his Lord. And so we "have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him" (Col. 3:10). May God help us to continue this renewing of our mind so that we may be truly transformed into His image.

 

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