Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.
This scripture is simply telling you not to behave like religious or carnal minded people but be transformed.
So transformation of the mind is what we are here to achieve today and surely you shall be transformed in Jesus name.
This reminds me of when Peter, James and John saw the transfiguration of Jesus they were excited (Mark 9:2-9).
Because the truth is transformation does not look like what you are right now, you don’t even need to announce it, it’s obvious.
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that’s my focus this morning.
The first thing that can happen to any man that will enable the fruitfulness of other teachings such person receives is the renewing of the mind.
If the mind is not renewed all effort will be in futility so if you really want a change, liberation, freedom, to be productive, and to grow, it begins from your mind and it has to happen, it shall happen in Jesus name
Prayer:
Place your hand on your chest and say:
Lord I want to be transformed please renew my mind and make me a better person
When the mind is renewed you will be able to discern what the will of God is and not the will of man because many have been held bound for too long just because they respond more to the will of men instead of the will of God
When your mind is renewed you will be able to figure out what God’s will is and what the will of man is.
When you do the will of God you are aligning with purpose and it makes life to be effortless, but when you are functioning outside your purpose you struggle to function.
You will be able to discern what the will of God is, and you will be able to know what is acceptable and perfect
What is the mind
Through out the old and the new testament God spoke about the mind, God has provision for your body but He doesn’t have for your soul, so if your soul is messed up it’s unfortunate.
The reason Christ came to die for us is to pay for the messed up mind, He expects you to live now in your renewed mind, so if you fail to do so, you are on your own.
If your mind is indeed renewed you won’t be compelled to pay tithe or to attend church services.
The reason why you are struggling is because your mind is not renewed nor regenerated, rather, you are a men pleaser, you want men to commend you and that’s not God’s will for you, that way, you are living outside purpose.
So the mind is the thought system, the faculty where decisions are made.
what you do now is simply a reflection of your mind, that’s why Jesus said you don’t need anyone to prophesy, by their actions you will know them (Matthew 7:16).
The mind is the centre of moral and even the centre of Immorality that’s why the bible said in John that when you see someone fall into temptation it begins from the mind, it’s not an accident, it’s not a mistake (Matthew 5:27-28).
The mind is used for thinking, the mind is what is responsible for your communication, it shows in what you say and that’s why you have to be careful about who you listen to, because as you listen there’s the possiblity of a transference of spirit/mind and you’re likely to be like the person you listen to often.
The mind also helps you to make decisions and to understand who you are.
Your thought pattern brings out a vibe and energy that attract your kind of people around you, so if you are always critical about people you will find gossipers around you.
It’s dangerous when your mind is wrong it will bring negative thoughts, that’s why the bible says: as a man thinketh in his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7)
First things first, be sincere with yourself and tell God to transform your mind
If there’s no transformation from within, your fasting may be fruitless
Stop thinking negatively, be positive minded.
From the story in Luke 7 from verse 36-47, Jesus was invited by a pharisee to his house, a pharisee is a man that is critical, the pharisees uphold the laws of Moses and Torah to a fault, they condemn, criticize, and they believe they are the only ones serving Jehovah truly.
Remember the story of the two men praying at the altar in Luke 18:10-14, one (the pharisee) was speaking to justify himself before God but the other (a publican) who regarded himself as a sinner sat down and couldn’t look to the altar because it was too holy for him to behold, rather he cried to God for mercy
The bible said the one that came as a sinner went home justified but the proud religious man went back unjustified.
When Jesus was in the house of the pharisee eating lunch a prostitute came in, though she was a prostitute, she came with a renewed mind, Jesus is a specialist in knowing the mind of people He doesn’t look at our actions He looks deep into our motives, so
He responds always to the motive of men, the woman knelt and cried on Jesus’ feet, her tears washed the feet of Jesus Christ and cleaned it with her hair, she then poured oil on His feet
The pharisee was saying in his heart that if only Jesus knew that the woman is a prostitute but Jesus knowing the intent of his heart answered him:
” 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven”.
Jesus was trying to say see pot calling kettle black; that you look holy doesn’t mean you don’t have sin, infact bearing titles doesn’t mean direct access to heaven
Think about what you’re reading now Jesus concluded his message to Simon with a parable. He said two men were owing a money lender one owed five denari, and the other owed five hundred denarii. Both of them were forgiven their debt and asked not to pay anymore.
Who do you think will appreciate more? The one who was forgiven more, and his jubilation will surely be different from the one owing 50 denarii (Luke 7:41)
The behavior of the two will be different, so the one who is forgiven more will appreciate and love the most.
How do I know if a man’s mind is regenerated? Check out these signposts of a renewed/regenerated mind:
1. A man with a renewed man will ask relevant questions: have moments of self reflection, let there be moment of self evaluation and assessment
For example, we are in a new year, so check and ask yourself how has your life been productive ? who have you influenced ?
what good is thing have you achieved? Are you making progress? is God happy with you?
Ask yourself why are you still struggling financially even though you make so much effort to earn well, why are you always begging, ask yourself why is your business stagnant? These are the kinds of questions you must think deep and ask yourself.
When you do these, you are on the journey to having a regenerated mind.
2. Attempt to answer the questions in number one, they are often not far from you, and when you answer the questions, ensure to do something about them.
Paul was telling Timothy to study in order to show himself approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15)
3. A renewed mind will stop blaming others for their misfortune, but will take responsibility for his actions.
4. A renewed mind won’t go the way of the multitude:
Be different, do whatever God tells you to do because your mind is meant to receive from God not men.
Though everyone was crying in ziglag but David encouraged himself in the Lord and inquired of the Lord, after this, he got his victory because he sought the face of God
5. A renewed mind will extend grace to people who are weak: Jesus was not happy with Simon because Simon was not gracious eno
ugh with the prostitute, Simon had his faults, yet he couldn’t overlook the prostitute’s excesses.
