Living A Victorious Life In A Dark World

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.

 

 

And finally, “Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”  I Peter 5:8 & 9a   In order to renew our mind so that our character can change and become more like Christ, we need to be on the offense against our enemy.  We must resist him and stand firm in the faith so that we will be able to live that victorious life that God has for us.

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!