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Transformation begins in the mind.

Romans 12.1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

• We have to first be transformed in our minds.
• The transformation of the soul begins with the mind.
• Too many people within the church have been conformed to a pattern of religion rather than being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit of God.

2 Corinthians 10.5

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…

• Have you seized a hold of, and taken captive every thought, and made your every mental process obedient to Christ???
• Do you see everything via the lenses of Jesus Christ?

2 Corinthians 11.13

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

2 Peter 1.2-3

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.

• Grace and peace come to us by the knowledge of God. Knowledge is stored where??? In the mind.
• Everything we need for “life and godliness” is given to us by Him by our knowledge of Him.
• When we grow in knowledge of our Creator, there is life and godliness.

Hebrews 10.16

“This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds.”

Philippians 4.8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

• Identify what is good and true and just and pure in your life…
• …and keep that on the forefront of your mind.

1. Take a step back, look at what is in your life and ask yourself, “Is this worthy of praise? Is this honorable and pure?”
2. Think about everything you watch and hear. Consider its effect on your mind, and therefore, your life. Don’t pretend your mind isn’t being fed.
3. The soul is the lake that the heart and mind feed into…are there polluted rivers feeding into your soul?
4. Get in God’s Word (a.k.a. the Bible). What you feed your mind, you feed your soul.

For the new believer it’s strange at first, I know. It’s much like my first experience with coffee: it was bitter and tasted like dirt. But I soon came to realize the effect it had on my body (increased alertness in the morning/more energy) and drank it more and more, desiring the effects it had on me, despite its taste. I eventually grew to love it. It’s the same with God’s Word—you grow to love it because of the impact it has on your soul.

We’ve eaten so much junk for so long that to eat what is good and healthy tastes weird at first, and we don’t digest it well. But eventually the impact it has on us far outweighs the momentary “indigestion,” and the healing process begins…

Posts to check out this AM…
—Tony Morgan on ministry is messy.
—Brad Cooper on the Passover, “Blood (week 2)”
—Perry Noble’s top posts for leaders