What exactly does it mean to renewed the spirit of your mind? Sometimes we hear teaching about renewing our mind but not as often renewing the spirit of our mind.
The epistle of Ephesians was written after The epistle of Romans. This was a revelation in progress were Paul tries to show us that our spirit connects to our mind. And that our spirit needs to have dominion over our mind/ soul.
Ephesians 4:17-24
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lawdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, (author comments: how do we do that?) 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in (author comments: the result of renewing the spirit of your mind will be) true righteousness and holiness.
What is the result of renewing the spirit of one's mind?
The book of Romans can answer that question. The book of Romans relates to us that: We will be transformed by the process of renewing the mind. ( Romans 12:2 )
The goal for all Christians is to have the mind of Christ.
The mind of Christ
This is what the Bible says about having the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16
16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
You already got the mind of Christ.
It is not something to look for in the future. We have it now. When you renew the spirit of your mind in the Biblical context, you will start to think like God.
How does God think?
God wants you to experience the very best and He wants you to have a secure relationship with Him.
It is ALL done.
When a person holds a true view of who God is, that person will realize that God already has done all. There is nothing more for God to do, He has finished. The result is that sickness and other things that you are under have no more power over you.
- And God said after the creation: All is good. And God rested from His work. (He finished ALL His work for ever) (Genesis 2:2)
- Jesus shouted at the cross: It is all finished. (John 19:30) (There is no more to add to His work)
- Apostle Paul said: (Now) I AM blessed with all heavenly blessings in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1:3) (I am not going to be, but I AM blessed)
An angry God
Some people see God as being angry, unloving, vengeful, hateful, demanding. These ideas cause us to have a false view of the standards that God wants us to live up to.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MANKIND?
Because God is our creator, He had a purpose for our life that includes all eternity. That purpose is to have fellowship and of cooperation with Him to complete His will. God created Adam in His image with His LOVE in him so he could express how God is.
In general terms, if we renew the spirit of our mind we become like Jesus was when he was here on earth.
Many Christians are mixing their fallen nature with the devil's work.
Self examination
You need to ask yourself, what is the true nature of myself? Is this the fallen nature or the devils work?
Credit where credit is due
We give too much credit to the devil while in fact it is our fallen nature that is to blame. For sure, the Devil can take advantage of you!
Yes, the devil is to blame for the fall of humans. But after the Garden our downfalls are because of our choices. How do we get out of the dilemma of the influence of the fallen nature is to renew the spirit of our mind?
The Biblical way to do this is:
- Accept and receive the LOVE of God by asking Jesus to be my savior and to change my heart. (John 3:16)
- Start the process of renewing the spirit of my mind.
The renewing the spirit of my mind, is a by-product of meditation on the Bible and it’s message.
Conclusion
By being blind in our hearts we miss the blessings God has already prepared for us. Understand that God has repaired the relationship to creation through Christ. This puts us in a position to receive the LOVE of God and experience all his blessings.
We can do this through Biblical meditation and renewing the spirit of our mind.