"BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF THE MIND"

 THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT IF ONE IS TO WALK IN VICTORY

The phrase “transformed by the renewing of the mind” is found in Romans 12:2. Chapter 12 marks the transition in that epistle from the apostle Paul’s theological teaching to his practical teaching. The book of Romans is probably the closest thing in the Bible to a systematic theology. Paul did not find the congregation (church) at Rome, but he had every intention of visiting that congregation on his way to Spain. As a result, Paul wrote this epistle as a way of introducing himself to that congregation and to give them an overview of the gospel and what it means in the lives of believers.

After teaching the great doctrine regarding the gospel of YAHWEH’S righteousness that is ours through faith in Messiah (Christ) in Romans chapters 1—11, Paul begins to exhort us to godly living. How are we to live in light of the saving power of the gospel? That is what Romans 12—16 aims to teach. The practical section of Romans begins with a great “therefore.” Seeing all that Elohim did on our behalf, therefore live like this. The first of Paul’s great exhortations is to be renewed in our minds:

“Therefore, brethren, I call on you through the compassion of Elohim to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to Elohim, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of Elohim.” Romans 12:1–2. [Hebraic Roots Bible, Literal Translation]

The phrase “the mercies of Elohim” refers to all of what has preceded in chapters 1—11. The exhortation that Paul presents is that since we have been the gracious recipients of YAHWEH’S great mercies, we are to be “living sacrifices” to Elohim. How do we do this? We are living sacrifices to Elohim by not conforming to this world, but by being transformed by the renewal of our minds.

This exhortation really serves as a summary statement of all that follows. A living sacrifice to Elohim is one who does not conform but is transformed. We are not to be conformed to this world. Paul is using the word world here to refer to the spirit of the age. In other words, world refers to the popular worldview that rejects YAHWEH Elohim and His revelation.

As unbelievers, we are naturally conformed to the world (Ephesians 2:1–3). As believers, we are no longer conformed to this world because we no longer belong to the spirit of this age. We have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Elohim’s beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). Therefore, rather than continuing to conform to this world, we are to be transformed by having our minds renewed.

It is interesting to note that Paul says that we must be transformed by the renewing of our “minds.” The mind is the key to the Born-Again Believer’s life. The reason why non-Believers do not respond to Born again Believers truth is that they cannot discern spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:14).

The gospel is a call for the unbeliever to repent of his sin and embrace Messiah (Christ) by faith. The Greek word translated “repentance” carries the notion of a change of mind. Our thinking must be changed (transformed) from old, ungodly ways of thinking into new, godly ways of thinking. What we know in our minds to be true forms a conviction in our hearts of that truth, and that conviction in our hearts translates into action. Therefore, we must first renew our minds.

The only way to replace the error of the world’s way of thinking is to replace it with YAHWEH’S truth, and the only infallible source of Elohim’s (God’s) truth is His revealed Word, the Bible.

Transformation through renewed minds comes as believers expose themselves to YAHWEH'S Word (the Bible) through the faithful exposition of, personal Bible study, and group Bible study. A solid Congregation (church) that believes in preaching the Word, reading the Word, and singing the Word is invaluable in helping us renew our minds.

There are no shortcuts. There is no magical formula for renewing our minds. We must fill our minds with Elohim’s Word. As Yahshua Messiah prayed to the Father, “Sanctify them in Your Truth; Your Word is Truth.” John 17:17.