How Do You Renew Your Mind?
Each year, I choose ONE WORD to focus on throughout the year. Since 2015, this simple practice has replaced New Year’s resolutions for me, and God has used it to transform my life. If you’re curious about how to choose your One Word, I’ve shared my process in this post.
In 2019, my word was “RENEW,” and my focus was on allowing the Lord to refresh my mind. For too long, my thoughts were consumed by “shoulds,” “woulds,” and “coulds.” Memories, worries, and voices that contradicted God’s truth occupied too much space in my mind. I recognized the need for change and experienced a shift toward renewal that year.
Perhaps you’re in a similar situation at the beginning of 2019. Depression and anxiety may dominate your days, and hopelessness feels like a constant companion. If that’s the case, I pray that this post brings you hope and reminds you of the transformative power of God’s mind.
renew
verb
to make like new
to restore to freshness, vigor, perfection
to make new spiritually
to begin again
to restore to existence
to make extensive changes
to be born again
ROMANS 12:1-2.
Romans 12:1-2 is the cornerstone of renewal—the verse God gave me to meditate on throughout my journey of renewing my mind.
It says:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Here’s the thing, friend: you can’t fully understand or live out verse 2 without first wrestling with verse 1.
I know we want to jump straight to the part about renewing our minds. We want quick answers—a list of three steps we can check off to start thinking like Christ. But it doesn’t work that way. The work of renewal starts in verse 1, and we can’t skip over it.
Because of Jesus, Renewal Begins with Surrender
Through Jesus, the only acceptable form of worship is offering ourselves—100%—to the Lord.
We no longer live under the Old Testament law of sacrifices because Jesus became the final sacrifice for all.
“Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)
Our worship today is found in the daily act of laying down our desires, our thoughts, and our will, and putting everything we are into His hands. Renewal cannot begin while we’re still grasping onto our own plans or clinging to what isn’t of Him.
When we step into Romans 12:1, we are saying to the Lord, “Because of Your great sacrifice for me, I now present myself to You. All of me—my mind, my thoughts, my personality, my good, and my bad—I offer as a living sacrifice. Make me holy and acceptable to You, Lord.”
THE GIFT.
For a moment, imagine yourself in the throne room of God. Standing before Him, you hold a beautiful silver tray. On the tray are beautifully wrapped boxes with ribbons. Each box is labeled - my mind, my heart, my personality, my life, my body, and my emotions - all stamped on little tags. Standing before God, you hold out this tray. You are presenting a living sacrifice. You ask the Lord to take it all. You offer everything on that tray.
The Lord takes the boxes from you and says, "Thank you. Now we can begin to renew."
CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
When we conform to the world, we are fashioning our lives and conduct by those around us instead of living a life that resembles the life of Christ.
Conforming to the world looks like:
Fashioning our lives or conduct by the thoughts and opinions of those around us, including those we follow on social media, rather than on what Scripture says.
Trying to fit in with the behaviors or customs of the world at work, in relationships, or even in the church.
Placing our worship over and above anything else but Jesus. Worshipping our marriages, our kids, our gifts, our talents, our material possessions ... all forms of idolatry that the world praises, but God hates. (Colossians 3:5)
Transformation can only come when we change the way we think. What is conceived in the mind, is carried out by the body.
THE ENEMY TO RENEWAL.
“The great enemy of renewal is conformity. The work of the Holy Ghost first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation until there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. To be godly, is to lift up ourselves to God.” - Matthew Henry
Such wisdom from Matthew Henry.
The enemy to renewal is conformity. Thinking like everyone else at work because it’s easier than standing up for the righteousness. Putting yourself into debt “keeping up with the Joneses” so that your home will look Instagram perfect, and everyone will think you’ve got it together. Homeschooling your kids because the church ladies are pressuring you to do so, even though you know that public school is what God designed for your family. Sending your kids to public school because your parents are pressing you even though you know that you are supposed to be homeschooling. Just put in your own example. We all do this in one way or another.
SO HOW DO YOU TRANSFORM THE MIND GOD’S WAY?
Transforming your mind through renewal is a lifelong journey.
It’s not a one-time event but a daily process of aligning your thoughts with God’s truth.
The good news is that this transformation can start right now.
It begins today.
Ephesians 4:23 tells us to “put off the old self” and “be renewed in the spirit of your minds.” This means we start to think in new ways—God’s ways—which are righteous and holy. But how do we do that?
1. Through Prayer
Philippians 4:6 reminds us to bring everything to God in prayer: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Prayer is where transformation begins. It’s in these moments of communion with God that we lay down our worries, seek His guidance, and ask Him to shape our thoughts and hearts to reflect His will.
2. Through Constant Meditation on God’s Word
The renewed mind is saturated with and controlled by God’s Word. Scripture isn’t just something we read; it’s something we meditate on, store in our hearts, and allow to shape our thinking.
Here are a few verses that emphasize the importance of filling your mind with God’s truth:
“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!” (Psalm 119:1)
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”(Colossians 1:28)
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
“Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:10)
God’s Word is the foundation for a transformed mind. It might sound simple, and you may be looking for a step-by-step plan, but here’s the truth: to let go of conformity and experience true transformation, you must be saturated with Scripture.
Where to Start
Start small. Begin by setting aside a few minutes each day to read and reflect on God’s Word. Write down verses that stand out to you, pray through them, and ask God to help you live them out. Over time, these truths will take root, transforming the way you think and live.
Friend, God’s way of renewing your mind isn’t complicated, but it does require intention and consistency. Let His Word saturate your heart and mind, and watch how He transforms you into the image of His Son.
LET’S SUM IT UP THIS WAY . . .
Conformed People:
Conformed people adopt an outward expression that doesn’t match what’s truly happening inside. It’s an act—a façade that says, “Fake it until you make it.”
Transformed People:
Transformed people experience metamorphoō, a spiritual metamorphosis. They are completely changed from the inside out, becoming more like the image of the Father.
When our lives are fully yielded to the will of God, His will becomes our desire. It’s good, acceptable, and aligns perfectly with our renewed hearts and minds. As we allow God to transform our minds, we come to know His perfect will for our lives—and we begin to walk it out. 🤍
