Several years ago, my husband and I purchased a 50-year-old home following our move to South Carolina. The house was dated so we made a lengthy list of desired changes to transform the house into the vision we had for our home. Although we’re pleased with the progress we’ve made to date, there’s still a good deal we’d like to accomplish. Yet, we’re not overwhelmed with our unfinished projects. Instead, we’re committed to the gradual work of beautifying and transforming our home.

The truth is transformation, on any and every level, is a process. A process that requires patience and involves time, investment, and commitment. And quite frankly this can be challenging, as by nature we’d all prefer instant results. Yet transformation doesn’t work this way. Instead, transformation, and most significantly personal, relational, and spiritual transformation, requires diligence, discipline, and a sincere desire to change.

It Begins with Commitment

Transformation, like any other endeavor, begins with commitment. And this is not a negotiable step in the process. Instead, it is the first and most critical step to enacting change. This is crucial for our understanding as seeking change without committing to change results in no change at all.

The apostle Paul understood this principle firsthand. Why? Because, following a dramatic encounter with the risen Jesus, he was instantly changed. Although this was solely the work of God in his life, it was Paul, who submitted and committed to this work. And the outcome of this commitment was Paul’s radical transformation empowering him to fulfill his mission and calling.

Paul’s Exhortation

Perhaps like me, you are seeking transformation in a specific area of your life in this new year. If so, you may be wondering, as I have, how to make this desired change a reality. Thankfully for us there is a practical way of accomplishing this. And not surprisingly it’s the apostle Paul who shares this way in his letter to the church of Rome.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. ‭‭(Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬)

To be clear, this wasn’t a casual suggestion, rather an urgent plea. You see, Paul recognized that before these believers could walk obediently, faithfully, and effectively as Christ followers, they would first need a transformed or renewed mind. And Paul knew this to be true based on his own personal experience. The good news for the Roman believers, and for us today, however, is that Paul not only encouraged transformation, but he also explained the way of accomplishing transformation.

A Different Way of Thinking

Paul shared with his friends that transformation was made possible, not by what you do on the outside, but rather what you think on the inside. In essence, he was saying living a new way requires thinking a new way. And this new way included commitment, sacrifice, unconditional love, forgiveness, service, and generous giving. Truthfully, this different way of thinking is not natural, it’s supernatural.

Paul knew this to be true. This is why he urged his friends not to think like the world—meaning anything and everything contrary to God’s Word and ways. But instead to be transformed by the power of God. And he promised them that by making this decision they would realize God’s perfect will for their lives. Who doesn’t want to know this? I know I do. Yet there is one final step in this process.

One Final Step

The final step in the transformation process is intentionally programming the mind with God’s Truth. This is an incredibly significant step in the process, as only God’s Truth has the power to change our thinking resulting in transformation. Thankfully for us we’re not left to figure this out on our own.

Instead, included in Scripture are practical, tangible steps to achieving this. The following are some of those steps:

  1. Fill your mind with excellent, praiseworthy thoughts. (Philippians 4:8)
  2. Meditate on God’s Word continually. (Joshua 1:8)
  3. Submit your thoughts to God. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
  4. Choose not to dwell on past hurts or regrets. (Philippians 3:13)
  5. Commune with God consistently through prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
  6. Cleanse your mind through confession. (1 John 1:9)
  7. Set your mind on eternal things. (Colossians 3:2)

In closing, transformation is necessary to grow personally and spiritually. It is also God’s method of shaping, molding, preparing, and positioning us to follow Him purposely in every season. And finally, transformation is a lifetime process gradually changing us from the inside out, causing us to look increasingly more like Jesus.

And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like [Jesus] as we are [transformed] into his glorious image. ‭‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬)

Pray

Holy God, thank you for your faithful love for me; a love that is committed to transforming me into the person you’ve created me to be. Thank you for your Spirit that works powerfully through me, molding me, shaping me, and gradually causing me to look increasingly more like you! It’s an honor to know you as Father and friend, amen.

 

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Question of the Week

What practical step/s do you take to consistently program your mind with God’s Truth?

Share your response HERE!