Renewing your mind

The best explination I've ever heard of this verse incorporates Rip Van Winkle.

In the story of Winkle, he falls asleep for 20 years and wakes up finding himself in what's more or a less a totally new country. Yet he is used to, or conformed to, the country he knew before he fell asleep. He must change because of this.

Ephsians 5:13-14 is even more "Winkle-like":
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."

Before someone is a Christian, their spirit is 'dead'. Once they become a Christian, their spirit 'wakes up'(due to the Holy Spirit indwelling us). A new Christian needs to transform their mind(with the help of God). They need to get outa the mindset that all the garbage they've been doing is fine. They need to get into the mindset of not living for themselves, but living for God.

The change doesn't happen overnight. Yes, it may start overnight, but it doesn't finish overnight(if it ever finishes at all).

For me, the changing was very slow. It wasn't until ten years after I became a Christian that the change really started to occur, as I was refusing to let it to happen(we humans love control and transforming your mind requires giving control to God).

osm

Droobie said:

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer 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.

Upon salvation, or near-after there is a change in a person's mind. Is this possible? Would one be conscious of the change? Has anyone experienced a change in their mindset?

Click to expand...

There is clearly a change in one's mindset if they believe themselves to have received a special gift from God. However, among those who claim to be saved are a variety of differences, sometimes material, on God's will and nature, as well as biblical interpretation. Furthermore, devote converts and devotees to any religious faith undergo a transformation. It is plainly evident, and impossible to qualitatively or quantitatively compare the value of one over the other, as one's mindset is a fairly subjective concept. Spirituality is a powerful thing indeed.

You only need believe the scripture you posted, and you will have your answer. It is all right there.

I have been transformed, and I have the mind of Christ. I always do those things that please my Father.

I was transformed aand renewed when I became a Witch. The concept of transformation and renewal as a result of religious experience is universal.

Clearly when I became saved, my mind was transformed. I seen things more clearly, and I felt God's presence. Whether or not people of other religions have had the same experience as I or not, I don't know. But considering they know not exactly what went on with me, I doubt we can conclusively know.

I believe God changes and renews your mind and soul once you ask Him to save you and you become born again. That is what happened to me, and I thank Him for His awesome goodness.

God bless

Robert aka dctalkexp

Changing your mind is something that happens all the time - only most time it is a gradual change, so you do not notice it.

Specific events like conversation to a new faith, or realisation of new ideas can lead to a distinct change of mind, one that you do notice.

My mind was changed when I realized that a world without God made sense.

Freodin said:

Changing your mind is something that happens all the time - only most time it is a gradual change, so you do not notice it.

Specific events like conversation to a new faith, or realisation of new ideas can lead to a distinct change of mind, one that you do notice.

My mind was changed when I realized that a world without God made sense.

Click to expand...

No my friend, I think you misunderstand. It is not a change of mind like I change my mind to go to the store. Or that I change my mind that I like a TV show. But a renewal. When I asked God to save me I had felt all of the sin and weight go off of me. I was a new person, and I was changed right then. It was unusual, but at the same time extremely peaceful.

This was not only my mind changed, but every fiber of my being, including my spirit.

God bless,

Robert

I do not see how one could be happy in heaven unless upon (or before) entering their mind or consciousness is drastically altered.

dctalkexp said:

No my friend, I think you misunderstand. It is not a change of mind like I change my mind to go to the store. Or that I change my mind that I like a TV show. But a renewal. When I asked God to save me I had felt all of the sin and weight go off of me. I was a new person, and I was changed right then. It was unusual, but at the same time extremely peaceful.

This was not only my mind changed, but every fiber of my being, including my spirit.

God bless,

Robert

Click to expand...

What of those of us who already do not live with such a heavy weight of sin on our shoulders?

(Oh, and please don't say I have it, but don't realize it, etc. I've accepted your assertion at face value based on your subjective experience, so the same respect should be extended back.)

Droobie said:

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer 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.

Upon salvation, or near-after there is a change in a person's mind. Is this possible? Would one be conscious of the change? Has anyone experienced a change in their mindset?

Click to expand...

Yep, started sometime in summer of 2001. I have no idea when I was "saved" but it was that summer. By the end of the summer, I no longer cursed (and I was really imaginative as a cusser), watched R movies, read R books, etc. It happened pretty much without me noticing except that I got uncomfortable in the presence of the above. When I consciously realized what was going on, I was able to participate more actively! AMAZING!

Romans 12:2 is my favorite verse in the Bible, and Romans 12 itself is one of my favorite chapters.

Yes, I would say that there is a change in a person's mindset. Some will tell you they had an instant change. Other's will tell you that it was more gradual, but there is a change.

I recall learning once where the Greek verb for "transform(ed)" is an ongoing verb. (The Greek language has many more verb tenses than the English language).

In other words, Romans 12:2 is saying: Do not conform to the patterns of this world but be [continuously/constantly/ongoingly] 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."

Paul touches on this in Philippians 2:12 when he says, "So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence."

In I Corinthians 11, Paul talks about examining ourselves each time before partaking in communion. This again is encouraging us to continuously renew our minds. To be right with God. Not just once, but on an ongoing basis.

I'll admit that I often fall short of this. (I'm far from perfect). Ways that help are this forum, reading the Bible, and praise music. The ones I really need to work on are getting back into a more dedicated Bible study and prayer.

~Sandy

Droobie said:

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer 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.

Upon salvation, or near-after there is a change in a person's mind. Is this possible? Would one be conscious of the change? Has anyone experienced a change in their mindset?

Click to expand...

This is common in all religious experience. Practically all religions use this "change in their mindset" as a sign of religious transformation. Many religions that "experience" this change also claims it is unique, and therefore proof that th rteligion in question is the "one true" faith.

sorry...double post.

In my view this renewal has alot to do with what is referred to as the death/rebirth archetype. Havoc is right, Christianity isn't the only religion that practices it. The belief is not that you are suddenly and wholly transformed, atleast not in my view, it is more like the undertaking of a long process. Things that are "incorrect" or "sinful" are brought to the forefront of your mind through trials and the only way to pass through these trials is to die to your old way of doing things(or viewing things) so that a new perspective/life can be gained. The more trials you pass through, the more you are renewed.



In Christianity faith is a good example. Say you can't pay your bills and every avenue you have to get money has dried up. Their is no way you can pay them. Your last possible choice is to give up trying to get the money yourself and to trust God for the finances even though this goes against your reason and your nature. Miraculously the money comes through, but only after you gave up on "your way" and did it "God's way". Now at this point your faith has not been transformed to the point that you can move mountains, but the next time your bills are due you'll find yourself approaching the situation in a whole new way. Something inside you has changed just a bit. The situation you found yourself in coupled with your lack of resources has forced your reason and your nature to change. Your old way of viewing things had to die so that this new way could rise up in it's place This is a step up a ladder and each time the situation becomes tougher, each time you need to rely on God even more you take another step, you're renewed a bit more...and on and on.



Now the difference is that a Baptist Christian, a Celtic witch, and a Buddhist monk will all be molded to a different end, because they hold different ideals. Many new age or universalists might disagree with me saying that all these roads end up at the same end, but this is just my opinion.

I know I'm a bit long winded, but I hope this helps. Bill

This is meant to give one's life more of a journey perspective.

Think of it as the light at the end of the tunnel.

Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.....Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus who though it not robbery to be equal with God...

The transformation takes place....it just sounds heretical to say you are equal with God...or another translation says "thought it took nothing away from God to be equal with him"

Remember Christ was killed it was claimed that he was the Son of God....which puts him on equal footing with God (although he constantly claimed that God is in authority over him) Then he claims we are on the same footing (may they be One as we are One (or something like that)) The deal is --as long as we feel unworthy--dirty--etc. we probably still have some transforming to do. We are enemies of God in our minds

Havoc said:

I was transformed aand renewed when I became a Witch. The concept of transformation and renewal as a result of religious experience is universal.

Click to expand...

May I ask about this experience? I'm curious what you mean when you say you were transformed and renewed; from what to what?