And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2 NKJV)
Christians have something in common with popcorn. Heat turns the moisture within each kernel to steam. As the steam expands, against the external shell, it pops. That hard kernel of corn has transformed into a soft edible piece of popcorn.
Dr. Tony Evans explains that the fire of the Holy Spirit transforms believers in a similar fashion. The changes taking place internally show up externally in our behavior and personality. *
God saved me at age thirty-three, and the world had already polluted my mind. I needed a thorough cleaning of my thought processes. I couldn’t stop at sweeping out the sinful thoughts. I also had to remove the fear-provoking thoughts, along with all those that created worry, discouragement, and every form of emotional bondage. That took some time. As a baby Christian, I didn’t know the enemy had cluttered my head with negativity that caused toxic thoughts and emotions.
A God surrendered will leads to a God surrendered mind
Friend, it doesn’t happen overnight. First, we must stop conforming to the world. God through the Holy Spirit renews our minds, but we must be willing participants. As long as we continue conforming to the world, we block our minds from the transformational work of the Spirit.
The Greek word for transformation is the word, metamorphous, the process by which a caterpillar changes into a butterfly, and the process by which a kernel of corn becomes popcorn. The change takes place on the inside, but it soon becomes evident on the outside.
As I surrendered my will to God, the Holy Spirit cleansed my mind. His desires became my desires.
We can continue in our self-willed ways, but when we submit to God’s will, transformation takes place. Walking by faith requires walking in the Spirit. God begins renewing our minds, so we can have the mind of Christ.
Heavenly Father, these deceitful thoughts and emotions hold me in bondage. Free me from these chains that bind me. Renew my mind so I can have the mind of Christ. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
This devotion is from my 60-day devotional journal, “Faith that Walks on Water: Conquering Emotional Bondage with the Armor of God.” After the devotion comes a section to ponder some Scriptures and implement what you discover. Check it out here.
* Tony Evans, The Fire That Ignites: Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit (Life Change Books), 2008, Penguin Random House, New York, New York? Chapter 3, Kindle.
*NIV Cultural Bible, 2016 by Zondervan.