Romans 12 ~ More Evidence for the Keys to Transformation
Although I’d seen an abundance of evidence to establish the truth of what I’d discovered concerning my fruit following my focus, I began to wonder if it could possibly be this simple. If the relief I felt was any indication of the truth of the revelation, then I had to be on the right track because the absence of condemnation and guilt, the lack of frustration and agitation, the lifted burden…well, it was truly remarkable. Maybe I was just so familiar with being weighted down that even in the face of apparent freedom, I couldn’t help but think that maybe I was wrong.
The thought of misinterpreting the Word of God was (and is) a genuine concern. Could it really be that my behavior could be entirely transformed by something as effortless as getting my mind off the works of my flesh and onto the wonders of my spirit? Was it all simply a matter of shifting my focus off my identity in the flesh and onto my new identity in the spirit? Did the mind have that much say, my mindset that much sway?
Unable to allow the extreme peace and joy I felt to be verification of the truth of the revelation, I continued to proceed with caution, asking God for more evidence and trusting His spirit to lead and guide me into the truth.
I desperately wanted change in my life, to actually see the fruit I had been trying so hard to produce. I had not taken my eye off the goal.
But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” I Peter 1:15,16
My desire to be holy and walk acceptably had not changed. I desperately wanted the righteousness that was now in my renewed spirit to show up in the un-renewed part of me…my flesh. Simply put, I wanted my body to behave!
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 NKJV
In this verse, Paul had summed up the cry of my heart. I wanted the outside to line up with the inside. I needed to see outward transformation, but could the change I longed for come from something as uncomplicated as changing my mind? It seemed too easy. Thankfully, I found more proof to confirm what I hoped was true.
Having made this earnest appeal to holiness, Paul continues his plea, but this time he adds some crucial information…the way to achieve the goal.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… Romans 12:2
Finally, someone had not only said what to do, but how to do it! Not only that, but there actually appeared to be a connection between my transformation and my mind. The evidence was mounting. It seemed more and more likely that what had for years seemed so incredibly hard might really be quite easy.
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
I do not find anything easy about changing what I think! I agree that your conclusion is right – that we must think on those things of the Spirit as opposed to those things that condemn us (our flesh, sin, sins, etc). But my mind has a life of it’s own, and I find it nearly impossible to change it even for a minute, much less for any real time. So I find it frustrating to read that it’s “so easy”. Not your fault; I’m my worst enemy. Your writing is encouraging, but only until I read how easy it is to change your thinking. Then I’m back to square one – how will this happen when prayer, meditation, reading – none has made the slightest change in my ‘incurvatus in se ” thinking?
Brother….your comment makes me want to laugh and cry! Your heart of seeking, your brutal honesty…I LOVE IT! Your frustration, your concern that you’ll never find the way out…oh my gosh, how I feel that. I know it SO well.
Let me start by saying you are absolutely right! Changing one’s mind is not easy. So in a sense, I stand corrected, but only if I were speaking of renewing the mind as a topic in and of itself, which maybe I should do. However, I made this ‘easy’ statement within the context of the story of my struggle to change my behavior, meaning changing my mind was easy RELATIVE to changing my behavior, a fight I had always lost! Nevertheless, mind renewal was a new fight, but at least it was one I could win. And I saw it was the only way I could win. The statement in Rom 8: 7-8 that “those who set their minds on the flesh…CANNOT please God” made me realize I had to do whatever it took to set my mind on the truths of my reborn spirit. You’re right, it wasn’t easy to believe and submit my mind to the truth about myself as revealed in the Word…that I was now righteous and holy (no matter how much contrary evidence I saw). It required vigilance, it required that I “cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God and take EVERY thought captive (II Cor. 10:5)! Truly, it is a fight, what Paul called the fight of faith. It’s the fight to believe that what He says about us is true.
By way of practical help, I always encourage people to find specific scriptures that declare who they are in their spirit (like II Cor 5:21, Eph 4:24, Col. 1:22) and have them ready at hand to answer every thought to the contrary! I literally started talking back, outloud, to my thoughts with scriptures. And please remember….you are NOT trying to become. You already are!!!! We just have to believe it, and that’s what this fight is all about…renewing our minds to the truth about us.
I could go on and on, but I hope this much helps. Feel free to email me directly (address on my ‘About’ page) with any questions. Others have found a back and forth for clarification is easier in emails than here on the site. I would consider it an honor to help in any way.
Thank you so, so much for your transparency and for taking the time to share here. You will find the freedom you seek, for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled! I appreciate your heart much more than I’m able to express.