““ Do not conform 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.””
Conforming to the pattern of the world: As parents, leaders, friends, co-workers etc, we are constantly being surrounded by these words either on the speaking or the receiving side. This kind of command is genuinely from a heart filled with love. These words are very heavy Command “DO NOT” This is a warning from the Lord who happened to also be the creator of the world. God knows why we should not be conformed to the patterns of the word. He sees the danger ahead and speaks with the voice of a loving father. 1 John 2:15-17 “ 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Infact if we are friends with the world, it places us in a position where we become God’s enemies. James 4:4 “You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.” When were say we belong to God but also follow through with the things of this world, then the truth is not in us. Mathew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Transformed by the renewing of your mind: Transformation involves change in character, behavior, and thinking etc. When our minds are renewed, it means transformation has taken place and this can be possible only by the word of God replacing our old thoughts with new ones. Ephesians 4:23-24 “23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
This happens not by our efforts but when we yield to the work of God within us. ”Philippians2:13 “ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose”.Through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, our mind surrenders and that metamorphosis begins to take place and shape our mind into the mind of Christ. Philippians 2:5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
“Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is”: Therefore, it is possible to know the will of God. The will of God is understood when the mind has been transformed by the word of God through bible study, worship, meditation and prayers. This is a process where we grow and mature in our ability to examine, understand, and decern the mind of God.Proverbs 3:5-6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
This comes through building our faith- Hebrews 11:6 “ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”. Building our faith in him helps in trusting and yielding to the word of God. Ephesians 5:17 “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” This happens as we daily yield ourselves to the word of God through the practice of daily dwelling in the presence of God, reading, studying, and medication and worshiping.Hebrews 10:36 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” We can only build strength by daily yielding to the word of God and thus enable us to walk in humility. Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
We come into understanding the will of God through believing and trusting his word. His word is exactly what its says and does, we just need to allow our it in. It has life to bring back whatever is death: Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart”.
Finally, God will for man is eternal life, so if we have this life, we are walking in his will and need nothing else- John 6:38-40 “38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Prayer Points
Pray that the church will just let go whatever that has occupied the mind and believe the true word of God.
John 20:31 “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name”.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will help us hear and understand the seed of the word of God sown into us:
Mathew 13:23 “But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”
Pray that the great shepherd will equip his church with everything needed to walk in his will- what pleases God:
Hebrews 13:20-21 “20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Pray that everything will work for our good:
Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Pary for the grace and desire of the church to seek the Kingdom of God; the authority of his word, his value, charter, his truth, his righteousness etc:
Mathew 6: 33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Pray for the grace to set our mind on Christ alone:
Colossians 3: 1-2 “1 Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Pray for the grace to draw near to God daily. This builds our relationship and shapes us into his image.
James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Pray for the grace to run away from things of the world but to run after these that God has approved: 1
Timothy 6:11 “ But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.”