The most carnal thing to do is get caught up in the affairs of this world. You know, the whole human experience of work, pay bills, take care of your family’s needs and wants, struggle, regain your strength and then repeat. Romans 12 verse 2 says “ Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Many may read this and interpret it as  “ I need to transform the way I think when I am being tested and then I will know the will of God  and what’s good and acceptable and perfect.” That, my friend, is behavior modification.

A sure sign that you are headed in the wrong direction is when you utter the words “ I need to”, as if your transformation starts with you. After repenting, there are three things that need to take place so that you are not conformed to this world:

1. Testing

When we are enlightened by the word of God, we are meant to put that knowledge to use. This is done so by testing. For example, Psalm 34:10 says “ The young lion suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” That’s a powerful promise that gives hope to someone who feels as though they are surrounded by lack. So, imagine being in your prayer closet feeling dismayed and worried about the things you lack. All of a sudden, Psalm 34:10 comes along and the love of God fills your heart with hope and you walk away refreshed with an expectation that God is going to do just what He said. Why? Because you are seeking Him. Days then go on as you continue to seek Him, but nothing is truly changing that is visible to the eye, but because you are choosing to seek Him, you have more peace, and less worry, more joy and less frustration. The lack has now lost its grip.

1. The renewal of your mind

The key to testing is seeking God. Seek in Hebrew means to search carefully, inquire, investigate, or study with diligence. So when you replace the word seek in Psalm 34:10 where it says “but those who seek the Lord” you then get the following:

• “But those who carefully search the Lord”

• “But those who investigate the Lord”

• “But those who study the Lord with diligence”

• “But those who inquire the Lord”

How often are we told that we should not question God? The text clearly states that this is something that we should certainly do when we are in need of clarity. How are we supposed to have a relationship with someone we cannot go to with our questions? Not to mention, we’ve all been inspector gadget a time or two in our relationships, so why shouldn’t we investigate the Lord of mysteries? Proverbs 25:2 says “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” The meaning of search is to investigate or examine. In an investigation, we gain knowledge, understanding and revelation about something that was once hidden. Evidence of such findings opens our world up to new possibilities which is the renewing of our minds about a matter.

1. Be transformed

Transformed used in the New Testament is metamorphoō. The literal translation is; to change form, transform, or transfigure. Meta means “change after being with” and morph means “form” or “inner essence”. So, while investigating, inquiring about, studying, and seeking God, we begin to learn about His character, HIs will, His desires, His holy presence and the change that takes effect after being with Him happens from the inside out. This change does not occur by human efforts alone. It only happens through the power of the Holy Spirit and God working with you.

After being transformed, we become new creatures in Christ. We take on an authority given to us because of our belief in Christ. This authority is given to fulfill the gifts given to us for the advancement of the kingdom of God. This shows up differently for us all. We are then equipped with tools, witty ideas, strategies and insight that helps us break away from experiencing a life that we were not supposed to experience. Like Romans 12: 2 say, we will endure testing but it’s not meant to break us or keep us down. It’s meant to enlighten us and give us a hope that there is more in God’s kingdom for us to do.

So, what is God calling you to think about differently? In what ways does your mind need to be transformed? What in the world have you been conformed to that is causing you to miss out on your calling?

Pray with me

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for being a God who cares about my thoughts. Thank you for making a way out so that I don’t have be conformed to the ways of this world. Thank you for the transformation process that renews my mind by way of testing. Father, you know the beginning from the end so I trust your promise that says that I will discern your will when I search for you. Continue to give me your perfect peace. In your Son Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.