Our Vision: Transformation Series

1. In verse 2, Paul tells us that we are to be different from other people. He says, "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world..."

a. We are not to allow ourselves to be influenced by our society, but we are to influence our society.

b. People often say, "well everybody else is doing it." However, we are to be different from them and rather strive to pattern ourselves after Jesus.

c. 1 John 2:15 (NLT)

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

2. Instead, Paul tells us to "let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think."

a. The word transform means "to change the essential form or nature of something" (Louw and Nidda, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Symantic Domains).

b. It is not merely a superficial outside change, but a change on the inside. It is a change at the core of your being.

c. Again, it goes back to the whole concept of being born again.

3. How does this happen? By allowing God to change the way you think.

a. 1 Corinthians 2:16 (NLT)

For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

b. God not only transforms our person and actions, but he changes our mindset.

c. One of the ways He does that is through His word.

d. Psalm 119:11 (NLT)

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

e. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

f. By study, meditating, and memorizing the word, we allow to change the way we think.

g. After doing this, when we find ourselves tempted to go back to our old way of life, there is God’s word to remind us that we are to be different.

4. Paul says when we allow God to transform our thoughts, we "learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

a. When we allow God to transform our thinking we no longer desire to fall into the same old sins.

b. We no longer desire to say the things we used to say. Profanity is the sign of a lazy mind. It is easy to allow filth to flow off your tongue, but when God changes your mind you learn to think before you speak.

c. We no longer allow ourselves to go places that we know are not good for us spiritually.

B. A New Way of Thinking

1. Illustration: Regardless of his state in the present, the negative thinker finds disappointment in the future. The epitaph on a negative person’s headstone ought to read, “I expected this.” A sign that was read several years ago in an office building can best describe this type of thinking: Don’t look – you might see. Don’t listen – you might hear. Don’t think – you might learn. Don’t make a decision – you might be wrong. Don’t’ walk – you might stumble. Don’t’ run – you might fall. Don’t live – you might die. And I would like to add one more thought to this depressing list: Don’t’ change – you might grow.