I used to think that change was something that happened to me. Life, circumstances, and even faith felt like forces by which I was either swept up or pushed down. But what if the transformation God invites us into is far more personal and deeply participatory?
In Romans 12, Paul calls us to offer our whole selves to God as a living sacrifice. But before he mentions our behavior, he speaks of our minds. Transformation begins not in outward habits but in how we think, what we dwell on, and whom we trust. Renewal of the mind is not about positive thinking; it’s about aligning every thought with the truth of God revealed in Scripture.
“I appeal to you… by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice…” ~ Romans 12:1 ESV
This is not self-help. This is worship. Whole-person transformation, rooted in mercy, shaped by grace and sustained by truth.
The word for “mind” in verse 2 is noos (νοῦς), not just cognitive processing, but the inner framework that determines how we see the world and respond to it. And the word “renewal” (anakainōsei, ἀνακαινώσει) suggests a complete renovation, an inward reorientation toward the will of God.
We live in a noisy world, and not every thought that enters our minds belongs there. Scripture teaches us to be deliberate, reflective, and discerning:
- Gather Awareness
- Recognize what you’re thinking and feeling. What are the patterns of your mind and heart right now?
- “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” ~ Proverbs 4:23
- Reflect
- Ask: Why am I reacting this way? What lies am I believing? What truth am I ignoring?
- “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” ~ Psalm 139:23
- Write or Speak Truth
- Confess, pray, journal, and externalize your thoughts so they don’t spiral inside you.
- “Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” ~ Romans 12:3(NLT)
- Reframe
- Examine your thoughts in light of Scripture. What needs to be corrected? What promises anchor your faith?
- “Take every thought captive to obey Christ.” ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5
- Act in Faith
- Choose a small, intentional step that reflects the renewed mind you’re seeking.
- “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable… think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen… practice these things.” ~ Philippians 4:8–9
Why This Matters
You are not stuck. You are not your worst day, your chronic anxiety, or your recurring spiral of fear. In Christ, you are being made new.
And this renewal? It’s not abstract. It’s daily. It’s deliberate. And it’s full of hope. The Spirit of God, working through the Word of God, reshapes the people of God, starting with the ind.
So today, Begin again. Think deeply. Reflect honestly. Take one small, faithful step toward a mind shaped by the gospel.
“… 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.” ~ Romans 12:2b
~PW 🌮🛶
Phillip W. Martin 
Leave a comment