Renewing Your Mind

I have recently started working at our local community college in the bookstore. I am the guy who does whatever needs doing, specifically related to stocking the bookshelves. I have definitely realized why people like the weekend so much. Being at the bookstore has provided a healthy exposure to the world, but, as I have taken stock of my heart, I have seen my susceptibility to the messages and attitudes of the world that are presented to me throughout the week. How is it that I can keep my eyes on God and biblical truth in these situations?

In Romans 12:2 Paul says "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..."It would be so easy for me to be conformed to the image of the world in my situation and yet the Romans were probably in a similar situation: constantly exposed to and tempted by the things of the world. Paul wrote this as a warning as well as an encouragement. There is always the potential for us to be conformed to the image of this world, if we are not being conformed to the image of Christ, by the renewal of our minds. How do we renew our minds?

We can renew our minds through reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture. I daily need to intake the Word of God that I might renew my mind against the influence of the world, but often just reading my Bible in the morning isn't enough. I so often forget and lose sight of the truths that I read each morning that it is helpful for me to take further steps so that I can be renewing my mind throughout the day. Studying certain passages often helps them stick in my head better, and provides a more workable topic to think about. For example, in reading the story of the flood and God's covenant with Noah I could see God's power and mercy, but as in looking closer I can see that the response of Noah to God's power and mercy is worship, and so I should respond to God in the same way.

Memorizing scripture is another great way to keep the word of God in mind day and night (Psalm 1:2). Whether they are topical scriptures targeted towards a specific area of your life, large portions of scripture, or even a few verses, it is always helpful to have part of the bible permanently in your mind. Meditating on what you have recently read or memorized is another way to renew your mind all day. Many times it is hard for me to focus enough to dig deep into the meaning of scriptures but when I do I am often amazed at what I find.

We can renew our minds by rehearsing the Gospel to ourselves throughout the day. God has given us a precious gift in the Gospel. Not only because of the great gifts of salvation and adoption, etc., that come through it, but also through the constant reminder of God's blessing and forgiveness that it is. By reminding ourselves, in depth, of the story of Christ coming to earth as a man, living a perfect life, dying and resurrecting, our minds will be renewed by the glory of Christ found in the Gospel. A great book on this is the Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent. It is definitely worth buying.

Theological books also provide renewal to our minds. There are so many excellent books out there, and many of them are extremely helpful when it comes to bringing the word of God to mind. Right now I am reading Desiring God by John Piper. It a rather hefty book that is probably going to take me a while, but there is so much that I am learning reading just a few pages a day. Even if you don't have time to read in your schedule, long commutes, workout time, or chores are great times to take advantage of. Audio books are extremely available nowadays, on the internet or even at the library, and are a great way to "read" books. Reading good, theological books is an excellent way to renew the mind.

One final thing that I find helpful in keeping my mind on God throughout the day is prayer. Many times throughout the day I just talk to God, ask Him for strength, thank Him, etc. It has been great to experience the company of God in such a constant way.

As I have written this post, I have realized how much more I could and should be doing to keep my mind fully on God everyday. It often requires self-control to do these things, but the reward we receive is great, and well worth it. A constant renewal of our minds in the word of God, the Gospel, good books, and prayer is a way that we can honor and worship God (Romans 12:2), and also guard our hearts against the influence of the world.