LEARNING DAILY

Romans 12:2, And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Several days ago, a page of the blog was about the battle going on to control the mind of the Believer. The battle is a spiritual battle where the enemy tries to get you to look at what you should not look at, to think about things that are sinful, to form your own opinions about truth, and to act on these things. Satan continues to tempt every Believer, every day. James wrote, “Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”  “Temptation is inevitable; no on escapes it, not even Christ. Yielding to temptation is sin; temptation itself is not a sin. Temptation is also not a single event but a process that involves four stages: enticement, entrapment. endorsement, and enslavement. The key to overcoming temptation is not just to resist but also to change one’s thoughts” (David Jeremiah). That is the subject for today.

The verse above is about renewing one’s mind, for Believers to challenge their thoughts and beliefs and to want changes to occur within them. Renewing your mind is about no longer following the ways of the world, which are often focused on things that are quickly passing on or materialistic. Consider, for example, how often you find yourself thinking about or doing things because others are doing them. The verses about renewing your mind are about self-examination, growth, and aligning your life as a Believer with the deeper, more meaningful truths of God’s Word – about living them out. Consider the following.

God’s will for every Believer is good. God’s word tells us that He is fully good (Luke 18:19) and there is no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5). James 1:17 tells us that “every good and perfect gift” comes from God and “He withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly with Him (Psalm 84:11).

God’s will for every Believer is acceptable. His will is pleasing because it is approved by Him and is fully pleasing to Him; those who obey His will are acceptable to Him. Believers who serve Him in love and righteousness are acceptable to Him.

God’s will for every believer is perfect. God’s perfect will has no shortcomings and will reach the goal and purpose God intended it to meet. God’s perfect will lead to spiritual maturity and will equip the Believer to do the good work God has intended (2 Timothy 3:17).
Romans 12:2 is a reminder for every Believer to not just go along with the world’s temptations, but to actively seek transformation through the renewal of your mind.