Renewing Your mind

The Bible says in Romans 12:2, the way to be transformed is to renew our minds. The NLT says to “let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” The only way I know to change the way I think, is by finding out what is true. The Word of God declares that Jesus is the truth (John 14:6), and that Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:14). So we can determine that the Word of God, the Bible, is what is true. Therefore, to have thoughts based upon truth and not lies, we need to know the Word of God, which is the truth, and the truth is what sets us free (John 8:32)

If we have come to this conclusion, then we also must recognize that the battle for our souls is one that begins in the mind. We learn in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the weapons God has given us against spiritual forces come to break down strongholds, arguments, and everything that comes against the knowledge of God. These are ideas and beliefs that try to exalt themselves up above the Truth of God’s word.

We see the first attack of this in the Garden of Eden when the serpent asked Eve, “Did God really say?” When Eve told the serpent what God said, he replied with an argument that took away from the validity of what God had told her. In Genesis 3:4, the serpent replied to the woman, “You will surely not die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Right from the start, the battle for our souls has been this: “What report will I believe?” Do I believe the truth of God, or the lies of satan.

We learn in Philippians 4:6-8 that the way to a healthy mind is to not worry about anything, instead pray about everything, tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. It says that when we do these things, His peace, which is beyond understanding will come and guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus. Then is goes on to say that to have a peaceful mind, the things we must only think upon are whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. See the first on the list, whatever is true, and we have already determined that the truth is found only in the Word of God.

So how do I think upon what is true? The most impactful way I have found to hide God’s Word in my heart, is to consider what lie I am currently wrestling with and find a verse that stands in opposition to that lie. I then write it on notecards and place it everywhere to help me be constantly reminded of the truth I am standing on. I place the verse where I get ready in the morning, on the dashboard of my car, at my desk, and often I change the lock screen on my phone to an image I found online with that same verse.

The next step is to determine ahead of time that every time the old lie comes to try to persuade my thoughts away from truth, I will declare the scripture in that moment.

For example, if I am feeling afraid of a confrontation I will need to have I may declare this verse every time I sense that fear arising to try and steal my confidence.

Isaiah 41:10 New King James Version

10 Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand

I might declare- I refuse to bow down to fear. I will not be led by fear. I will be led by the Lord. He is with me! I am not facing this in my own strength. My God will lend me His strength. I don’t stand on my own accord; it is the Lord God Almighty who upholds me. I will keep moving forward in Him.

Another powerful example can be if I am feeling crazy. The enemy is lying to me saying, “You’re just crazy. You’re not hearing from God. You’re making this up to make you feel better or to have some sick sense of power.”

I would choose this scripture:

2 Timothy 1:7

New King James Version

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

I would declare- God has given me a sound mind in Christ. I will not believe the lies that I am crazy. God speaks to me. I know His voice. He has empowered me to be able to be loved and to love. I won’t waste a second longer believing anything less than what His Word promises is true.

For a final example- I am too much. I am not enough. No one really wants me.

I would choose this scripture:

Psalm 139:14

New King James Version

14 I will praise You, for [a]I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

I would declare- The way God made me is no mistake. I am made wonderfully. I am the work of His hands, and His works are marvelous. My own soul chooses to believe this. I won’t waste another moment thinking or speaking lies about who I am or what I am. Who I am is His marvelous workmanship- made to reflect His image to the world.

If you’re thinking about how can you find the verses that match the struggles, I have a very spiritual answer: Google it! Google: Bible Verses about Fear. Bible Verses about Mental Wellness. Bible Verses about Identity in Christ. You can google and find lists of compiled verses on any topic you can imagine. This is one way we can allow technology to work for us.

Another way to renew our mind, is to choose to be in the Bible daily as a spiritual discipline. However, the Lord upgraded the word discipline for me to privilege. It is a privilege to meet with God. I choose to spend time with Him in His Word because, for me, His presence is my very favorite place to be. Also, because it’s through His written Word that we get to know His character, and I just love Him, and I want to know everything there is to know about Him.

To begin I would recommend reading out of the Book of Psalms, Proverbs, and one chapter out of the New testament each day. Start with Psalms 1 and work your way through. Pick the Proverb that matches the day of the month. Begin in Matthew chapter 1 and keep going. Have a journal with you so you can write down what stands out, what doesn’t make sense, and ask to God any questions you have. You may also want to use your journal to pen your prayers. I love to chronicle my relationship with Him because often when I need encouragement, I look back and recognize how faithful He is to keep His word and perform miracles.

The one last encouragement I have in having a sound mind is this: Thanksgiving wins the war. We cannot be saturated in disappointment and thanksgiving at the same time. Let Thanksgiving be the way in which you lean every time. Every time there is good, bad, hard, fun, wins, and losses- in all things, at all times, choose to give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, and His love endures forever. (Psalm 107:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

The more you are in the Word, the more of the Word will be in you. The more of Word is in you, the more freedom and victory you will be walking in. The more freedom and victory you have, the more you’ll have to give to the world around you! There is no time like present to begin allowing Him to transform your life by changing the way you think.