Having A Transformed Mind

Having a Transformed Mind

To walk a Christian walk the mind is very much involved and this is where Satan launches an unrelentless attack, leading to disparity and depression!

Mark 12:30: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

Here we are told by our Lord that we are to love God with “all of man’s four powers (heart, soul, strength, mind).” RWP. Luke 10:27.

This morning I would like to emphasize just one of these four powers: the mind. Gary Collins says it like this: “Let the mind of the master be the master of your mind.” Ref: Gary R. Collins, The Magnificent Mind (Waco, Texas: Word, 1985).

I want to look at a classic text this morning in regards to having the proper Christian “mind set”

Romans 12: 2a & 2b: “. . . And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. . .”

I) Be Ye Transformed- We must Have a Transformed Mind

Here we have a: Present Tense (happening now); Passive Voice (subject is receiving the action; Imperative Mood (command/direct request)

Transformation Defined: . . . means to change across from one form to another.” We get our word “metamorphosis” from this. Ref: Earle, Ralph. Word Meanings in the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Hendrickson, 1998. 199.

Biblically Usages Defined: (3)

Used to describe the transfiguration of The Lord Jesus (Matthew 17:2; Mark. 9:2)

Matt 17:2: And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

“. . . there was a fact and a power in that vision which mere radiance and the appearance of the dead patriarchs could not wholly convey: a revelation of Deity breaking out in that glorified face and form. . .” Ref: Vincent, Marvin R. Word Studies in the New Testament, Matthew 17:2. Covenant Parsonage, NY. 1886. E Sword, Version 10.0.5.

Used to describe the glorious change wrought in the believer (2 Corinthians 3:18)- 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Used here in Romans 12:2 . . . be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Transformation begins from within and permeates outwardly

Greek Word: Metamorpheo = English Term: Metamorphosis.

Metamorphosis is a Biological change whereby a caterpillar becomes a butterfly- The same creature which enters the filthy tomb eventually emerges, but the change is so remarkable that it cannot be recognized as the same.

The Holy Spirit wishes to work in the life of a believer, but to do it He must have control of the body and free access to the mind. The mind is the organ of thought.

Transformation achieved through:

Possession of the Holy Spirit

We are to occupy the mind with/as Christ: Philippians 2:5-7: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

We must set affections on things above- Colossians 3:2- “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

We must strive to become Christ Like: (1) By walking in love; as Jesus did!

(2) By walking in obedience; as Jesus did!

II) Be Renewed- We Must Have a Renewed Mind: Romans 12:2c. . . “(12a) And be not conformed to this world: but (12b) be ye transformed (12c) by the renewing of your mind . . .

To make new, to transform, to change from natural enmity to the love of God and His law; to implant holy affections in the heart. Eph. 4:23- “. . . and being renewed in the spirit of your mind.”

By the renewing …. Of/In Your Mind- Our mind is equipped to do the following tasks: think, imagine, remember and understand. This ultimately affects our: intellect, reasoning, wisdom, and. . . . walk.

Please Note: This is where Satan launches his attacks --- THE MIND. Let’s finish by looking at some different minds sets. Proverbs 23:7: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. . .”

NEGATIVE MIND SETS (unregenerate minds sets)

A Hardened and Blinded Mind- (2 Corinthians 4:4) “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not....”

A Corrupt Mind- (2 Timothy 3:8) “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth; men of corrupt minds...”