First posted to: https://surehopecounseling.com/emotions-in-scripture-transforming-the-mind-and-emotional-renewal-with-romans-12/
“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.” (Romans 12:2 NLT)
In that miraculous moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are not simply accepting a terms and conditions statement to guarantee the salvation of our souls. There is a renewal and transformation that happens in our hearts and minds. When Jesus asks us to take up our cross, it is not only about making sacrifices and giving up worldly idols. It is taking on the difficult journey to change the way we think and feel. It is the call for us to change the way we respond to the world and the people. This is a daunting task and thankfully, it is a task that does not focus on perfection and instead focuses on growth. This is not a goal to accomplish, like we achieve it and it is done. This is a living value that we commit to every day of our lives once we carry our cross. Apostle Paul writes an outline for us in Romans 12 to focus and meditate on, so that we may learn to transform our minds and hearts for “This is truly the way to worship him” (Romans 12:1 NLT).
Humility
“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this
warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of
yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” (Romans 12:3 NLT)
Paul makes it quite clear that the first step to transforming our minds is grounding us in humility and recognizing that none of us are better than another. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, and they do not make us better or worse than someone else. Discover your skills and do them well, but simply because you are better at it than someone else does not mean you are better than them. We all have a part to play! The beginning of renewing ourselves is beginning to be humble every moment and every day.
Radical Love
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to
what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each
other.” (Romans 12:9-10 NLT)
Paul emphasizes a radical form of love as the foundational focus of our emotional renewal. Our renewed hearts and minds should trigger genuine care and kindness for the people around us. The sacrifices and work we do for the Lord should come from a heart of gladness, not a heart of resentment. He even calls us to not only love the people that are good to us or need us, but we are challenged to do good to those that persecute us. Again, renewal takes time and may never be perfect, but it is the genuine effort we make to push our emotions and thoughts that makes the difference. Will we fully love everyone around us, friends and enemies equally? Most likely not! But, it is the effort we make with the help of the Lord that matters.
“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” (Romans 12:21 NLT)
Verse 21 ultimately summarizes what our renewed mind and hearts would look like. A transformed person that responds to the world with good no matter what happens to us. A radically different way of thinking and navigating this world’s trials and struggles. A heart that can still respond with good because it is grounded in the confident hope in God. A heart that is humble to surrender and trust in the Lord that He is doing good work despite what it looks like in the world and how the world treats us. Let us all aim for this transformation so that we may all have hearts and minds that are truly pleasing to the Lord!
-Daniel Pak – learn more about working with Daniel here!
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