Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Hello brethren. This is video 2 of the videos I have decided to create on the renewal of
our minds. In my first video, I pointed out that the huge issue here is transformation
and as a means to it the renewal of the mind which is what Paul says in Romans 12:2. So
transformation is what this is about. Be transformed. The alternative to conforming to the world
in Romans 12:2 is not a new list of behaviors. If you got in your mind or in your heart a
list, and they're all disobedient, and you're doing them, Christianity does not come along
and say 'the solution to that problem of your list of moral behaviors is a new list of moral
behaviors.' That's not Christianity. That's not Christian morality, that's DEFINITELY
not freedom. The alternative in Christ is TRANSFORMATION, CHANGE! So that the spillover
of our lives doesn't do that stuff anymore. And by spillover I mean the things you do
without giving thought, that you do naturally. You know we don't stop every second of our
day for every little thing we do and are like, 'Hmm, is that the will of God? Is that the
will of God?' Which is why Christ's words 'The truth will set you free' are so relevant
in relation to Romans 12:2 because when you are TRANSFORMED with a renewed mind you do
good things, and good deeds, and live by Christian morality naturally. You love what you do,
and if what you do is what you ought to do then you are free. My goodness, I mean I don't
want to live wanting to do all the bad things, consulting my list of good things, denying
what I REALLY want to do, and always doing what I don't want to do. That's bondage, BIG
TIME. And a lot of Christians try and live a life that way. And I looked at it that way
somewhat before I discovered this wonderful verse, that being Romans 12:2. So it is NOT
about having a LIST! It's about becoming NEW! Actually being changed, transformed by the
renewing of your mind. So what's wrong with the human mind? And why do we even have think
about "renewing it"? What does renewal even look like and how do we pursue it? So, after
doing a bit of research I discovered a few things. Number 1, a lot of people think the
human mind doesn't have all of the information it needs to get, and therefore education becomes
the redemptive solution to somebodies problems. "Get education to all these kids, and then
maybe we won't have all the problems that we have." Like, the invention of elaborate
scams, or sophisticated terrorist plots, or complex schemes of embezelling, or fast talking
mentally nimble radio rudeness. That little list right there, shoots itself in the foot.
Because ALL those people are educated. They're the most educated. And what education did
for them was REFINE the power of their sinning. It takes a lot of education to make people
feel stupid on the radio. By being a good talkshow host. That takes education. And so
do all the other elaborate computer sinning that's going on in the world. Education ONLY
HELPS SINNERS DO IT BETTER! Or smarter, more shrewd more successfully. So how in the world
can stuffing our brains with more information produce transformation? And I'm sure there
might be someone watching who is saying, "The Bible is one giant book of information so
that can't transform you either." I'd say you're right, it can't transform you on its
own. It can only transform you if you have the Holy Spirit abiding in you, which why
it didn't surprise me when I saw an unbeliever the other day, who said he read the Bible
six times from cover to cover but he still didn't believe because he went into it each
time NOT to search for the truth, but to further CONFIRM his disbelief of it. The Holy Spirit
will not force the will, and will not move you if you come to the Bible with a closed
heart. One of the reasons I love the Bible is because it provides an analysis or diagnosis
for the human condition. So lets talk about the word renewal a little bit. I already talked
about a cross-reference to the word 'transform' in my last video. The word 'renewal' is also
used in Ephesians 4:22 which goes: "Be renewed in the Spirit of your mind." Be renewed in
the Spirit of your mind. This is a way different analysis than the "be renewed by the data
fed into the computer of your mind" scenario. So what this verse is saying that our minds
are not mere computers handling data objectively and then offering them to the heart for appropriate
moral responses. That's a total inadequate conception of what the mind is. What I think
this is saying is that the mind has a MINDSET. The mind doesn't just view things, it has
a VIEWPOINT. The mind doesn't just perceive and detect, it has a demeanor or an attitude.
That is how I translate spirit of the mind. That's what's got to change. Not just the
data. The spirit of the mind, the mindset of the mind has got to change and the reason
its got to change is that, i'll use myself as an example, my mental problem is not that
I lack certain pieces of information, not being God. My problem is that I'm fallen.
Not just finite and I WANT TO BE GOD! My mind is bent in a way that says "I don't like having
a supreme absolute being having sway over my life. NO THANK YOU! I will right own list.
I will determine what I want and nothing coming from outside of me is going to be my absolute
authority." That's who we all are by nature and as long as that MINDSET, that demeanor
that bearing, that attitude of hostility toward God exists we WILL NOT be transformed. Except
in the most external and artificial ways. That's why we need this change that only the
Holy Spirit can bring. So I'll end this one here I guess, I hope to do another video about
being transformed by the renewing of your mind. I hope you enjoyed, thanks for watching.
God Bless!