How long does it take to renew the mind?

[RobCrandall]

Hi all,, In my teens and twenties, I filled my mind with horrible things. My thought was, "The more I know about everything, the smarter I'll be." So, I watched any movie, read any book, went anywhere, listened to any music, drank, and all the rest.
Well, by the grace of God, I finally woke up, and discovered that it was the wrong approach to life. Now I don't drink, I read, watch, and listen to only Christian things when it is up to me, and have been doing so for the last 3 and a half years. But, I filled my mind with the world for so long that I wonder just how long it will take to renew my mind.
Is there a time that my mind will be completely cleansed, or will I always remember scenes from horror movies and books and song lyrics? I'd hate to think at age 70, that I'll still be thinking about these things.
Has anyone out there had success in this area? I have had some success but I feel like there is more waiting. Just need a little encouragment from someone who has tried to clean out their mind. Thank God for the people that never let that stuff in...they are the only thing keeping me sane. -

 

[day time]

"The whole time".

No ... lol ... seriously, I think this is a central issue with a lot of believers (at least, many I hear). You want certain things to not enter your mind, or come from your mind ... you want to think certain things, and be "cleansed" ... and I think a lot of people feel that if they could only bring their mind under mastery and "program" it a certain way, then it would somehow rewrite it and transform it ... but then, you go out into the world, and all of a sudden something else is there which causes new input you don't really want there .... or perhaps you find that part of your mind you view as depraved is still there in the back corner, creeping around, waiting to pounce ...

Years ago, I honestly thought I would NEVER experience that renewed mind to where I wasn't plagued, haunted, etc .... always trying to pluck up those weeds that were there and just when I got it cleaned .... an old weed popped up, or a new one.

But it can be done .... to where you are "free" from that, without having to put forth all that effort or create a barrier and shield around your mind all the time. You can be "free" without worry.

I think it takes a different amount of time for each person of course .... but, I clearly remember the moment my mind was finally *free* to be *transformed* in the first place, and once that happened, it was like a rush of fresh water that never stopped flowing, creating new things and recreating what was *already there*. It was like having blinders removed not from my eyes, nor my ears ... but my *mind*. I would use the term "success" where as years ago I was hoping for it but getting the opposite. I was getting *mimicry* ... attempting to brainwash yourself can produce this effect. And it's the opposite of experiencing the freedom of having it transform naturally once it's "set in motion" so to speak.

It's a continual process, at least, in my experience .... that transforming ... but that transforming is CLEARLY not the same as the oppressive running and hiding a person does with their mind, trying to govern everything that goes in and comes out, always having to stand vigil and destroy invaders and this and that, trying to memorize their mind into something or convince it into something it's not doing naturally ... that constant dichotomy. This is different ... like the difference between a flower sprouting and growing (even with bugs and other environmental factors) or a flower that's been cut from the ground and left to rot where you replace the water to try and keep it "alive", when it's really dying.

My two cents.

 

[tturt]

Though I agree with day time that renewing our minds usually takes a lifetime but we need to replace those brain "recordings" that you're referring to by repenting and then receive Yahweh forgiveness and let Him remove any condemnation (Rom 8:1). At that point, there's no reason for us to keep playing these things over and over in our minds. If those thoughts reoccur then immediately replace it with Scripture such as Jeremiah 31:34, Yahweh forgives and forgets (doesn't hold it against us). He thinks about you more than the grains of sand, only wants what's good for you, He sings over you, and He has a destiny for your life. You are a member of HIS family, you are HIS child.

(II Tim 4:18; Psa 139:17-18; Jer 29:11; Zep 3:17; Psa 17:8; 1 Corinthians 7:20, John 17:20).

 

[LovedByGod76]

I think it may be beneficial to consider why you feel you need to be cleansed?

As Christians, we are freed from sin. (Romans 6:18, Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.)

Your former experiences brought you to the point at which you are today, and may even be beneficial should you witness to someone with a similar past.

If there is still an attachment to your past ways - and you've chosen not to return to them - pray for strength and stand strong in your faith. We are provided free will, and by will we can change our focus.

If you'd like to renew your mind, read God's word, listen to more sermons, engage in more bible study. Seek inspiration, help others, gain new patterns in your life. Give god praise for your life and renewal and pray for direction!

 

[Pal Handy]

How long does it take to renew the mind?

How long do you have?

 

[Ben Collyer]

Though I agree with day time that renewing our minds usually takes a lifetime but we need to replace those brain "recordings" that you're referring to by repenting and then receive Yahweh forgiveness and let Him remove any condemnation (Rom 8:1). At that point, there's no reason for us to keep playing these things over and over in our minds. If those thoughts reoccur then immediately replace it with Scripture such as Jeremiah 31:34, Yahweh forgives and forgets (doesn't hold it against us). He thinks about you more than the grains of sand, only wants what's good for you, He sings over you, and He has a destiny for your life. You are a member of HIS family, you are HIS child.

(II Tim 4:18; Psa 139:17-18; Jer 29:11; Zep 3:17; Psa 17:8; 1 Corinthians 7:20, John 17:20).

if renewing the mind takes a lifetime then its pointless, theres nothing to reap

 

[faroukfarouk]

if renewing the mind takes a lifetime then its pointless, theres nothing to reap

We do need the mind of Christ, and we need to 'grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ' (2 Peter 3.18)

 

[C Johnson]

i believe its an ongoing process.

I do agree to follow Philippians 4:8
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

For me that process took a long time and is still ongoing but eventually that will happen. We all "fall short of the glory of God" but it will happen for you.

-Nick