Renewing our Minds - Sharon Weeks-Alleyne

Renewing our Minds

Sharon Weeks-Alleyne

In last month’s edition we discussed transforming our hearts. Today we will discuss our mind which is transformed by being renewed.

When we accept Christ in our hearts (repentance which means changing direction) we make changes from the outside in. The bad things we did which took us down the road of destruction, we stopped doing those things and we turned in the other direction. We do the good things that would lead us on the road to everlasting life, and while we are on that road, we start working on the inside out and that’s where and when transformation takes place (transformation means a thorough or dramatic change in appearance, a metamorphosis, a total change in appearance). The problem is, we repent (change direction); we may stop drinking, partying, we may dress differently etc., and we stop there!!! However, the journey continues, and the hard work begins from that point on. TRANSFORMATION!!!!

It is work for the caterpillar to morph into a beautiful butterfly. It takes millions of years for carbon to form a diamond, and intense heat to shape gold into a beautiful wedding band. So, it is a process, it is constant work to transform. We need a change in our minds and souls, and we must work at it every second, every minute, every hour of our entire lifespan. Thanks to Our Heavenly Father and Elder Brother, we were given a Helper, The Holy Spirit. We also have The Word of God, prayer and writings of The Saints; and holding ourselves accountable or have someone else hold us accountable on the journey.

On this journey, we need to take stock of: -

WHAT WE WATCH: - It’s the gateway to our souls. (Matthew 6:22-24). It prints an image in our minds that’s not easy to erase, so if we watch garbage, that’s what our minds will be full of. If we watch good uplifting things our minds will be filled with the same.

WHAT WE HEAR: - If all we hear is filth, we will speak it and live it. What was said to us molds the adults we become.

WHAT WE DESIRE: - Based on what we see, hear, and feel; we desire, whether it’s good or bad. (John 1-2:16). So, we need to do as Colossians 3:2 says, set our minds on heavenly things. We must train our brains to concentrate on the things of God as one preacher said. We need to live in the Word of God. Ephesians 5 gives us a clear picture; we must allow the Word to wash and cleanse us.

Prayer and more prayer, especially in The Spirit. Prayer gives us strength on this journey. (ROMANS 8-26:27) We need to think good thoughts (Philippians 4:8) Then resist the devil. (James 4-7:8) We have to use Jesus as our example. He was doing and saying what was right and He resisted the devil with The Word.

Jesus was tempted (Matthew 4) before He was transfigured (transformed) (Matthew 17) and we do well to do likewise.

In Matthew 14:43 Jesus said we will shine like the sun (the way He did) in Our Father’s Kingdom. WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE!!! BUT we must do THE WORK!!! We must renew our minds, we have to walk in the Spirit, we have to think on what is pure, just and of good report etc., and we need the fruit of the Spirit. With all this working together, we will be in the frame of mind to resist the thoughts of the adversary.