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.
romans 12:2
Knowing the will of God, getting clarity about our lives, and trusting God to get us from point A to point B are some of the toughest struggles that we face as believers.
But as I explained to my daughters this morning, it’s not so much about trying to figure out the big question like “God, what do you want me to do with my life?”
I talked to them about how I when I was their age was also feeling anxiety about my future. Surely, I have to do something with this degree that I had just received, and I needed to make more money. So, as I sought to make “important” plans to move to Atlanta and study to become a paralegal (couldn’t figure out what to do with that Economics degree), I honestly can not tell you what happened next.
Only that a transformation began to occur in my life when I simply had a question (about the Godhead), and I asked the Lord about it, and He showed me the answer in His Word. That communication triggered a series of events that would lead me into God’s ordained plan for my life.
So, the first step to transformation in the biblical sense is to renew our mind to the Word of God. The reason that we have “renew” our minds is God’s way of thinking and doing things is completely foreign to us. Before, we tapped into Kingdom principles, we were going in the opposite direction of God’s way.
And so at some point, we have to make a choice as to whether or not we are going to “acknowledge Him in all of our ways” or are we going to continue to go about establishing our own ways.
Well, it is no secret that if we choose the latter, we also choose the consequences that goes along with that choice:
Getting Clarity and Direction
So, how do get intentional about our relationship with God to the point that we are transformed and walking in God’s perfect will for our lives? One day at a time. One thought at a time. One act at a time.
Change Your Mindset. Discover Your Mission. Manifest Your Destiny.
The path to rewiring your thought processes to think like God thinks begins with
Praise – But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:3). When we offer up praises unto the Lord, we are acknowledging Him, drawing near unto Him, and inviting Him into our space. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!
Reading the Bible – The Word of God is sharper than a two edged sword piercing the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God is to our soul what marrow is to our bodies. Marrow keeps keeps our bodies from incurring infectious diseases. Likewise, the Word of God (the wisdom that we need for spiritual self-care), keeps us focused and from being infected with the ways of the world and the wiles (a trick or stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive-Merriam-Webster) of the devil.
Asking for direction – Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you (John 15:16). When we walk according to God’s plan for our lives, we bear fruit. Hence, as we pray His Word back to Him, we receive the answer to our prayers.
Yielding to the Holy Spirit – Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Living a Spirit-led life means knowing what the Word of God says and making it first place in your life.
Eternally-minded – r he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. The thing of God are spiritually-discerned and when we walk in the Spirit (we do this by putting God’s Word first place in our lives), He leads us into all Truth which causes us to continually overcome life’s challenges and frees us from the oppression and bondage of Satan.
Resting in the Lord – There remained therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
As we press through the pain in the difficult times of our lives, we find ourselves being transformed when we seek God in P.R.A.Y.E.R. Yes, it does take consistency, discipline, and an attitude of gratitude, but that’s why the scripture says that we have to work at it continually, which produces spiritual maturity and leads us to that place rest and spiritual freedom.
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
