What does it mean to renew your mind? How is it done? Why do we do it?
According to AI, renewing your mind is to: “consistently engage with Scripture (reading, studying, memorizing, meditating), pray, guard your inputs from negativity, replace lies with truth, practice gratitude, learn new skills, get physical exercise, spend time in nature, connect with positive people, and practice mindfulness or meditation to shift from old patterns to fresh, God-honoring thoughts and habits.”
To put it simply, you need to manage what goes into your mind. If you hope to have good things come out of your mind, good things need to enter. It’s the old adage–garbage in garbage out.
Why should we renew our minds? Scripture tells us to do that very thing. Romans 12:2, ”Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
How do we renew our minds? First and foremost, it matters what you spend your time doing.
- Spend time in God’s word. You need to immerse yourself with God’s truth. Nothing can combat negative thoughts and attacks from the enemy like God’s word. We need to be reading it each and every day. The world twists and distorts the truth. You cannot recognize what’s false if you do not know what’s true. Jesus quoted scripture when he was tempted by Satan. He gave that as an example for us to follow.
There are countless scripture reading plans available. You can read by topic, read chronologically, from the beginning, or start in the New Testament. You can join me in reading the New Testament. I will be reading a chapter of the New Testament each day. LINK TO ETSY STORE and FACEBOOK GROUP
Committing Scripture to memory is also a great way to renew your mind. If we can call on verses instantly, we can battle the enemy more quickly. I have seen some pretty interesting methods for memorizing verses.
My favorite is Dwell Differently. You can find information here. https://dwelldifferently.com/
- Spend time in prayer. Prayer is our defense against everything. When we spend serious time in prayer, we become fortified. We need to make sure that there is nothing that needs to be confessed. The Lord will help you hold those icky thoughts captive. We read in 2 Cor 10:5 ESV 5 “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”
- Manage what you see and experience. There is a lot of media available that is not helpful in our walk with Christ. When you read something, your brain makes mental images. Are your images beneficial? What about what you watch on TV?. If Jesus were sitting next to you, would you be embarrassed? What about your Google search history? Is your language pleasing to the Lord? God’s word tells us to concentrate on things that are pure. Philippians 4:8 ESV “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
- Manage your thoughts. Are you believing God’s truths or Satan’s lies? Can you recognize the difference? Our thoughts really drive us. If we allow doubts and lies to creep in, they will take over. We can find many verses in the Bible to help us guide our thoughts. Write them out on i index cards and tape them to your mirrors. Put them on the refrigerator. Put them anywhere you will see them. Here are a few to get your started:
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- 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”
- Colossians 3:2 ESV “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
- Isaiah 40:31 ESV “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
- Psalm 51:10 ESV “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
- Romans 8:6 ESV “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
- Ephesians 5:10 ESV “And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”
- Col 3:2 ESV “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
- Focus on your blessings. When we focus on the good things in our lives, we don’t have as much space for the negative things. We all have things that allow us to be thankful. Some days they are easier to spot than others. You will be training your mind to see glass as half full rather than half empty. Don’t be afraid to exercise this muscle. It’s a game changer.
- Focus on others. Get out of your head and get out of your house. Sometimes we just need to focus on someone else. Even if you cannot leave your house, you can always pray for others. Maybe there is a shut-in who could use a friendly voice on the phone. You could send out cards to our older folks. You could go visit a nursing home or an assisted living facility. There are lots of lonely people who could use a friendly face.
- Worship the Lord. Grab your phone and pull up some praise and worship music. Crank it loud and let yourself get lost in worshiping our Lord and Savior.
- Revelation 4:11 (NIV): “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
- Psalm 145:3 (ESV): “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.”
- 1 Chronicles 16:25 (NIV): “For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.”
- Psalm 100:1-2 (NIV): “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”
- Hebrews 13:15 (NIV): “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.”
Renewing your mind is one of the best things you can do to cultivate your walk with the Lord. Start today!
Let me know what you think.