On Second Thought ...

I was watching a report on television the other day regarding a record number of candidates vying for the Democratic nomination to take on President Trump in the 2020 national election. Just a few weeks ago, 21 contenders were lined up to compete in the primaries. Yet, less than three weeks later that number has been whittled down to only five candidates. All the others have suspended their campaigns. The drastic change in these viable contestants made me think about how quickly people can change their minds. Think about how quickly the potential candidates changed their minds and decided to drop out of the race. When it comes to changing our minds about something, is it that we change our mind, our hearts, or our thoughts. Which is it? Are these all the same thing? Consider the following phrases:
1. I've changed my mind
2. I've had a change of heart
3. Hold on a minute/second
4. On second thought ...
5. Upon reflection, I ...
6. After further consideration ...
7. I'm not sure what I was thinking when ...
8. I decided to do a 180

Those phrases are kind of interesting, no? You've probably never seen a variety of those 'mind-changing phrases' listed in one place before. Yet, we've all used them at one time or another. Why do we change our minds? The Apostle Paul makes an interesting statement in Romans 12:2 KJV. He instructs us, "and be not be conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." For those that find the King James Version (copied from the original Greek) difficult to follow because of its usage of "ye" "thee's" and "thou's", here is the same verse from the New International Version (NIV): "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will." The key point in Paul's statement is that we need to transform our minds from what we've learned, followed, or patterned our lives after by the world. That "transformation," that change of heart is only possible by applying the Word of God and making it relevant in our lives. Ephesians 5:24-26 tells us that Christ died for us (His believers, His Church, His Bride) that He "might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water BY THE WORD" NKJV (emphasis mine) -- THE WORD meaning His Words, the Bible. It is by His Words that our minds are cleansed and change from worldly to godly which in turn changes our actions that are pleasing to Him.

The "renewing of our mind" is a continuous process throughout our Christian walk (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 4:16).

We have to continue to read The Word for that renewal, that transformation to change us from glory to glory. Before a follower of Jesus can truly make the "outward" changes of the body (actions), there must first be the "inward" change of the mind (thoughts), for our outward actions start from within (Proverbs 6:18; Proverbs 23:7; Matthew 15:18-20). The whole goal and purpose for "renewing" our mind (making application of God's Word in our lives -see Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; Colossians 3:10), is so that we might cast down any imaginations and everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ and to bring EVERY THOUGHT of our heart to the obedience of God." To break the hold of carnal patterns, selfish thinking, misguided and misdirected thoughts we were taught by the world, our minds must be directed to THINK about things that are RIGHT according to God's Word (Philippians 4:8-9). We must be willing to add divine attributes to our character (2 Peter 1: 4-8). Why? The purpose is so that our lives will be "active" and "fruitful" in service to God (2 Peter 1:8).

In order to change our thought patterns, we must be willing to "put off" the thought patterns of our old lifestyle (the Bible refers to it as our 'old man') by reading renewing, reading renewing, reading renewing, and "put on" the thought patterns of our "new" lifestyle IN CHRIST (the Bible refers to it as the 'new man) see Ephesians 4:22-24 and Colossians 3: 8-14. The purpose of all this? So that our conduct or actions or "manner of life" before others reflect the teachings of the Gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27). If you need further instructions beyond what I've said here, then open your Bible today and read Paul's explicit instructions on HOW to PUT ON this NEW MAN (Romans 12:9-21; Ephesians 4:22-32; Ephesians 5:1-33; Ephesians 6:1-18; Colossians 3:1-25). Remember, the "transformation," that "change of heart" is only possible by applying the Word of God and making it relevant in our lives. The Word of God set before us is to elevate our manner of life (which has been tainted by the world) into the "likeness" of that life which Jesus lived in order to bring honor and glory to our heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16; John 15:8; 1 Peter 2:12).

We read, renew, and refresh so that we may be filled with the knowledge of God's will. Do you want to know what God's will is? Then read The Word. The purpose to renew your mind is that you have the wisdom to spiritually understand. Do you want to understand God's Word? Then read The Word. Do you want the power to walk worthy by pleasing God? You'll have to read The Word. Do you want to produce good fruit? Every believer should be bearing at least some fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Again, you have to read The Word. You'll never increase in the knowledge of God until you read The Word (Colossians 1: 9-10). A person who truly sees sin for what it is and wants this transformation must stay in The Word. By doing so, he changes his direction from that of:
* Rebelling against God to serving God.
* Practicing sin to abstaining from sin.
* Doing his own will to doing God's will.
* Going in the world's direction to going in God's direction.
* Disobeying God to obeying God through His Word.

True repentance is a change of mind resulting in a change of will that says, "I am wrong, God is right; from now on I will do things God's way and I will change my attitude about sinning against Him." There are many who claim that they have repented, but who don't act like it. They never truly changed their mind about sin. They were never led to repent by godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:9-10). In essence, they are like the boy who gets caught stealing a cookie and says, "I'm sorry" only to steal a cookie the next day. No real change of mind had taken place-- no repentance!! Or to illustrate with another example, they are like the man who tells God, "I admit that I've sinned against You; I'm sorry, forgive me" but resumes living his old sinful life again a few days later. No real change of mind and consequently no change of will has taken place. The result is no true transformation. So read, study, learn, understand, follow, transform!! In Jesus mighty Name!
Until next time,
-Pat-