How do we live a victorious life
in a dark world
when everything around us
spells
D E F E A T?
I don’t know about
you, but when I look around this world, I see D E F E A T everywhere. So much is broken in our world today. There is so much violence and dysfunction all
around us. So how do we live a
victorious life amongst the darkness, brokenness and dysfunction?
I think the answer to
that question is found in Romans 12:2 which says, “Do not conform to the
pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Be transformed……wow, that’s quite a
powerful command that God gives us in Romans 12:2. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states that
the word “transform” means to “change in character.”
So, in this passage,
God is saying that we can change in character if we renew our mind. And I believe that this is what our world
needs today. It needs people who are
willing to “change in character” so that the darkness can be dispelled, the
brokenness can be made whole and the dysfunction can be changed into
functional. If we, as Christ Followers,
will be willing to listen to and obey the Words of Romans 12:2, we will enjoy
living the victorious life that God wants for us.
So then, how do we go
about renewing our mind so that we can be transformed in our character and live
that victorious life? God gives us some
direction in the following passages: “This
Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it
day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” Joshua 1:8.
If we meditate on God’s Word, our minds will be renewed and our
character will change to become more like Christ.
“How can a young man
keep his way pure? By living according
to your Word…..I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin
against you.” Psalm 119:9 & 11 If we
living according to God’s Word, our minds will be renewed and our character
will change to become more like Christ.
“…..put off your old
self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the
attitude of your minds; and put on the new self, created to be like God in true
righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians
4:20 If we walk away from our old self
and embrace the new self that God has given us through our personal
relationship with Christ Jesus that includes righteousness and holiness, our
minds will be renewed and our character will change to become more like Christ.
“Let the Word of
Christ dwell in you richly…..”
Colossians 3:16a. If we fill our
minds with God’s Word, our minds will be renewed and our character will change
to become more like Christ.
“…whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about
such things.” Philippians 4:8 If we
think about the things of God, our minds will be renewed and our character will
change to become more like Christ.
"...take
every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ." II Corinthians
10:5 When we capture our thoughts and bring them under the
authority of Jesus, our minds will be renewed and our character will change to
become more like Christ.
Easier said than
done? Remember, “I can do all things
through Christ who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13
Renewing your mind will turn defeat into a F E A T, a notable act, for God!
Encouraging You Today
With God’s Word!
Just thought I'd share with you the newest
member of the household......TowMater.....aka Mater.
He is a Labrador Retriever and is 9 weeks old.
He is adorable and is already spoiled!
