Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
We are commanded in the verse above to renew our mind. This means that the old mind thinks contrary to the way God wants us to think. You will find that the way to having a renewed mind is to be transformed by living the “good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” The thinking of the renewed mind will be evidenced in four ways.
First, the thinking of the renewed mind keeps itself in proper perspective. Verse 3 shows that the renewed mind will not “think of himself more highly than he ought to think.” In other words, the old mind thinks everything revolves around itself; whereas, the person who thinks through a renewed mind realizes they are not the only one in the body of Christ. The person with a renewed mind will not think that they have the answer to everything and that they are not the answer for everyone. When you allow your mind to be transformed into the renewed mind, you will quickly get a proper perspective of who you are, and your need for Christ and others.
Second, the thinking of the renewed mind understands its gifts. It is important that you understand the gifts God has given you because you will be able to maximize God’s ability to work through you by using them properly. Verse 3 says, “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Everyone has a gift in some area for the sole purpose of being a contributor to the work of God. The sooner you realize the gift God has given you, the more quickly you will be able to contribute to your church and find God’s will for your life.
Third, the thinking of the renewed mind understands the contributions that others can make. Verse 6 says, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…” My friend, do you realize that others can help in the work of the LORD? I’m afraid that we often get into the superhero mindset that we are the only hope for the local church. Every person in your local church has a way that they can contribute through the gifts God has given them. If you never allow others to use their gifts, your church will never reach its community for Christ.
Fourth, the thinking of the renewed mind understands a body concept. Verse 4 says, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:” The person who thinks through the renewed mind wants to work with others like the body works with itself. You must stop trying to do everything by yourself and allow others to help. If the hand tried to do everything, the body would go nowhere because the feet could not walk. If the feet took over the body and tried to do everything, the hands could not pick things up and work. The whole body working together is what allows you to be able to fulfill your potential. Likewise, when every Christian thinks through the renewed mind, the church body will function together and be able to fulfill the potential God has for it to reach its community.
Are you thinking through a renewed mind? The sooner you accept that everyone has something they can contribute, the sooner you will be able to work as a team; thus, enabling the body of Christ to function properly to reach the lost for Him.