The significance of renewing the mind

We have been duly instructed by the apostle Paul saying. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

Let us take time to look and consider why it is so important to have our mind renewed so as to create a transformation in us: It is stated quite distinctly that; “For as a man thinks in his heart so is he”: And where our treasure is, there will out heart be also.” The reason why we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind it is because: (Proverbs 23:7; Luke 12:34).

a.       The mind we were all born with is carnal, enmity against God, not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can ever be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:6-8).

b.      But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

But what exactly does it means to be carnal? I do not think that most people know exactly what it means to be carnal: To be carnal is to have a mind that is focused on the worldly materialistic things and where there are envy, strife, and divisions. Therefore, the admonition is to; “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

The crux of the matter is, setting one’s mind on any temporary fleeting pleasure of this world is a sign of carnality, and so we have been admonished saying; “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world --- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life --- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

I am very much perplexed when I viewed a video someone sent me where a motivational speaker claiming to now possess 30 acres of land based on the principle which states; “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you: For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8 and Luke 11:9-10).

But my humble question is what exactly did the Lord promised us to receive when we ask, seek and knock! Is it the temporary mundane things of this world? What is promised to us by the Lord when we ask, seek and knocks?

Without any shadow of doubt this is what is promised to us by the Lord when we ask, seek and knock, for thus says the Lord, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:11).

But what are the good things promised to us by the Father is it the materialistic things! It cannot be the temporary mundane things of this world because before the Lord told His disciples about the Father will give good things to those who ask Him, Jesus said to them; “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

Now the account in Luke makes it abundantly clear that the good things promised to those who ask, seek and knock is definitely not the temporary mundane things of this world. For thus says the Lord; “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13).

And later on Jesus said to His disciples “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:32-3).

Therefore, one can conclude that, the good things which Jesus promised the Father will give to those who ask, seek and knock are spiritual things, the Holy Spirit and the kingdom of God, Therefore, it is imperative that we have a complete renewal of the mind from carnal to spiritual in order to understand the things of God.

For this reason, believers have been duly warned saying; “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wrangling’s of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain: From such withdraw yourself.`

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:3-8).

Truly, these times of ignorance God has overlooked, but now command all men everywhere to repent. The question is will you?