When we started this journey, we talked about how each of us is three parts. We are a spirit, we live in a body, and we have a mind, will, and emotions. When you were saved, the Holy Spirit remade your spirit into something brand new and perfect. Your mind and body, however, did not automatically change.
That leaves us with a choice. We can agree with our circumstances and our flesh, or we can agree with the Holy Spirit who lives inside us. When we choose to agree with our remade spirit, everything else falls into line. That’s how Jesus operated, and that’s how we’re meant to operate.
But here’s the real question: how do we get our mind to actually agree with the Spirit? That’s what Scripture calls renewing the mind, and that’s what we’re going to look at.
Ephesians 4:22–24 (AMP) says:
“Strip yourselves of your former nature—put off and discard your old unrenewed self which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; and be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude]; and put on the new nature, the regenerate self, created in God’s image, godlike in true righteousness and holiness.”
Notice the words “constantly renewed.” This isn’t something you do once. It’s ongoing. Every day, every moment, we bring our mind into agreement with God’s Word.
Romans 12:2 (AMP) reinforces this:
“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.”
We are all being conformed to something. The question is: are we being shaped by the world, or by the Word?
One night, Darla was cooking chicken. Now, chicken on its own isn’t very exciting, so she made a marinade with all kinds of good flavors. She sealed the chicken in that marinade and let it soak. By the time I grilled it, the chicken no longer tasted plain—it tasted like the marinade.
That’s exactly what happens when we spend time in the Word of God. The more we read, the more we listen, the more we let His truth soak into us, the more we are conformed to His image. The plain, ordinary chicken is gone, and what’s left is something transformed.
Renewing your mind is not instant. It’s a lifelong process of scrubbing out doubt and unbelief, little by little. But here’s the good news: God multiplies the Word you plant in your heart. His kingdom works on the principle of seed, time, and harvest.
James 3:18 (AMP) says:
“And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace in themselves and in others.”
If you sow the Word, you’ll reap a harvest of righteousness. If you sow fear and negativity, you’ll reap more of that. It works both ways. The choice is ours.
John 14:26 (AMP) says:
“But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.”
The Holy Spirit is our teacher. He always agrees with the written Word of God. When you’re studying the Bible, He brings it to life and helps you remember it when you need it most.
We all deal with thoughts that don’t line up with God’s truth. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (AMP) tells us:
“We refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ.”
That means when a thought of fear or doubt comes, we don’t let it stay. Instead, we replace it with the Word of God. We say, “By His stripes I am healed” (Isaiah 53:5), or “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Speaking the Word is a key part of renewing the mind.
Philippians 4:7–9 (AMP) says:
“And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ…] shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 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… think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace… will be with you.”
This is how you come out “marinated” in the presence of God. People around you will notice. They’ll taste the difference.
Renewing your mind looks like this:
Reading the Word slowly and letting it sink in.
Speaking the Word out loud when the Spirit brings it to mind.
Thanking and praising God when He shows you something new.
Choosing peace and blessing instead of criticism or frustration—even at a four-way stop.
This is how we demonstrate Christ in our daily lives. Where you work is your mission field. People need to see the peace and joy that come from God’s Word alive in you.
Romans 8:14–16 (AMP) puts it beautifully:
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For the Spirit which you have now received is not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption… The Spirit Himself thus testifies together with our own spirit, assuring us that we are children of God.”
That’s the foundation of renewing your mind: living in agreement with who you truly are in Christ.
