2 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. Romans 12:2 NIV
The following is an excerpt from my booklet on praying the scriptures. The goal of the book was to share how I read a passage and turn it into a prayer. This allows God to speak with me and for me to engage with God. One other thought in rereading today’s verse.
As I was reading this excerpt I had so many questions. To renew your mind is an exhortation from Paul, how do YOU do this? What activities spur your mind to think like God thinks? Is Bible memorization the main method for renewing your mind? If not then what does it? Can I identify when I am living out of a carnal mindset? How do I know when I am walking in the Spirit in the way I think and speak? Is forgiving myself helpful to renewing my mind? I know this…every single activity today will be filtered through my mind…it’s that important. I hope you enjoy the exercise of today excerpt.
Praying the Scriptures – Day 2
Sometimes it is helpful to choose a different translation of scripture to help guide your prayers. Our goal is to learn how to hear God speak to us through His word.
Although reading from another translation can benefit our understanding of a passage. However, for memorization, it is good to stay with one translation. In today’s passage another translation is very helpful to capture the essence of Paul’s encouragement.
Romans 12: 2 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. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. New Living Translation
Plain enough! Let God transform you into a new person, by changing the way that you think. Thinking like God thinks allows us to walk daily in His will.
Let’s Pray
Father God, I thank you that you are all wise and knowing. You know me perfectly and have a plan to guide me in a way that is pleasing to you and incredibly meaningful to me.
Being a child of this world, many times I am unsure how much I think and even act like the world around me. But now that I am a child of God, I no longer belong to that worldly system. Your word is truth and as I align my thinking and actions with your truth, I can see clearly the choices to make.
Transformation occurs slowly, but has a more permanent impact. Sometimes I just wish that I was totally transformed. But that is more of a desire to be perfect without dependency on your Holy Spirit.
So today I offer my mind to be transformed, to think rightly, and to choose appropriately. Thank you Father for caring enough about me, to change my stinkin thinkin to renewing viewing. Amen
Blessings Love y’all