Mind Renewal!

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. (Romans 12:2, AMPC)

The key to spiritual growth is mental transformation. Those who focus on superficial ethical change or emotional experiences are off-track. Deep-seated, lasting ethical change and healthy spiritual experience are results of primarily learning to think differently about ourselves, God, others, our circumstances, etc.

Our thoughts are like a stream in a forest. As we walk the path, we occasionally see the stream. It is at those moments that we are able to change the stream, or cross it. Our thoughts run through our minds like a stream. When they come into our conscious mind, we have an opportunity to change those thoughts.

The renewal of our minds is the work of the Holy Spirit, but we are not mere bystanders in this work. The Holy Spirit calls and empowers us in participation with this work. Note the command the Scriptures give us is for us to take captive every thought (2 Corinthians 10:5). It is our responsibility - "WE take captive." Second Timothy 1:7 gloriously proclaims, “God did not give us a spirit of timidity,” but of " power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." In the New Testament, the Greek word used here for self-discipline is unique. No other passages utilize this word. It denotes a "sound-mind," the ability to think clearly and sensibly so that one can be self-disciplined. In Biblical usages, it is “an admonishing or calling to soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control” or “self-control, moderation.”  

Renew your mind and your thinking today. In cooperation with the Holy Spirit, discipline your thoughts. “For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them] (Philippians 4:8, AMPC).” 

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:5, KJV)

 
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7, AMPC)