Is the "renewing of the mind " our responcibility?

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unobtrusive

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2017
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18
#1
Has the responsibility of the renewing of our minds been given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit, or does it just happen once we believe? In Scripture Paul seems to be saying that it's up to us in order for it to be done.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:23-24)

What do you think?
 

shrume

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2017
2,193
463
83
#2
Has the responsibility of the renewing of our minds been given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit, or does it just happen once we believe? In Scripture Paul seems to be saying that it's up to us in order for it to be done.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:23-24)

What do you think?
I believe that while God does work in us to will and to do His good pleasure, it's up to us to listen to Him, and decide to do what He says. We have the ability to say "no".

IOW, I believe it's up to us to renew our minds.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
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#3
Sure....it is the study and application of the word.....the word transformed comes from the same Greek word that we get metamorphosis from....we change outwardly because of the inward change.......

Just think...God uses nature to teach us this awesome truth....

from a low life worm (sinner) to a magnificent multi-colored butterfly (faithful, serving saint that brings glory to God)

The direct result of being born again from above by incorruptible seed and the transformed by the renewing of the mind......
 

unobtrusive

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2017
916
25
18
#4
Sure....it is the study and application of the word.....the word transformed comes from the same Greek word that we get metamorphosis from....we change outwardly because of the inward change.......

Just think...God uses nature to teach us this awesome truth....

from a low life worm (sinner) to a magnificent multi-colored butterfly (faithful, serving saint that brings glory to God)

The direct result of being born again from above by incorruptible seed and the transformed by the renewing of the mind......
Cool..
That reminds me of a song our family used to listen to when the kids were small.


[video=youtube;G5q-1KMIRAo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5q-1KMIRAo[/video]
 

DustyRhodes

Senior Member
Dec 30, 2016
2,117
599
113
#5
All things God require acceptance. If we don't accept His graces, we are not benefiting
from them.
 

Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
5,928
685
113
#6
It's our responcibility to spell correctly...:cool:[h=2][/h]
 
Sep 6, 2017
1,331
13
0
#7
Has the responsibility of the renewing of our minds been given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit, or does it just happen once we believe? In Scripture Paul seems to be saying that it's up to us in order for it to be done.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:23-24)

What do you think?
This is a really great thread Sir, thank you for posting. :)

Four basic beginning steps a person can use to start the process of renewing the mind.

1. Ask the Lord to guard and direct your mind, by surrendering your own will to God.
2. Recognize the source of self-focused and self-defeating thoughts.
3. Replace self-focused thinking with a God-focused mindset.
4. Rest in the truth that you are accepted in Jesus Christ.
 
Mar 23, 2016
6,732
1,630
113
#8
Has the responsibility of the renewing of our minds been given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit, or does it just happen once we believe? In Scripture Paul seems to be saying that it's up to us in order for it to be done.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:23-24)

What do you think?
1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us we have the mind of Christ which, to my understanding, is the renewed mind of Rom 12:2.

In other words, the renewed mind is not our old mind that we fill with Scripture in order to "clean it up" so to speak.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind ...

The words "by the renewing" are the Greek word anakainósis which means:


342
anakaínōsis (from 303 /aná, "up, completing a process," which intensifies kainō, "make fresh, new"; see 2537 /kainós) – properly, a new development; a renewal, achieved by God's power.

HELPS[SUP]TM[/SUP] Word-studies
copyright © 1987, 2011 by Helps Ministries, Inc.



This "renewed mind" is a made fresh, new, renewal achieved by God's power. And it is powerful enough to transform us.

However, we look at the things we "see" with our eyes, or "hear", "smell" "taste", "touch" and we become conformed to this world.

We are instructed to "put off" the "old man" (Eph 4:22, Col 3:9) and "put on" the "new man" (Eph 4:24, Col 3:10).

So the putting off / putting on is our responsibility. The transformation which occurs as we put on the new man is totally God. He transforms us; He conforms us to the image of His Son.


 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,763
113
#9
Has the responsibility of the renewing of our minds been given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit, or does it just happen once we believe?

1. Nothing "just happens", so Christians have their work cut out for them.

2. God has given us the "Sword of the Spirit" which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17).

3. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Mt 4:4)

4. Therefore it is God's words, God's thoughts, and God's ways which will renew our minds, as the Holy Spirit teaches us God's truth and God's perspective.

5. At the same time, we are to reject the thoughts, philosophies, and ways of the world systems which exist all around us.

6. If Christians make it a habit to filter everything through the lens of God's Word, they will renew their minds.
 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
183
63
#10
Has the responsibility of the renewing of our minds been given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit, or does it just happen once we believe? In Scripture Paul seems to be saying that it's up to us in order for it to be done.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:23-24)

What do you think?
Metamorphousthe is a present passive which in effect says allow it to be continuously done to you.

IMO this indicates that the transformation is God's responsibility; but we are able to hinder the process and are told not to do so.
 

OneFaith

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2016
2,270
369
83
#11
Has the responsibility of the renewing of our minds been given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit, or does it just happen once we believe? In Scripture Paul seems to be saying that it's up to us in order for it to be done.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:23-24)

What do you think?
"Study to show thyself approved unto God. We study to learn God's way of thinking- which changes our way of thinking, if indeed the Holy Spirit dwells within us. The effort is on our part. A worldly person without the Holy Spirit can't understand some things even if they tried, because they don't have ears to hear and eyes to see.

And a Christian who does not study and ask, seek, and knock for understanding, do not renew their mind because they don't see where it differs from God's mind- because they haven't studied.

Thus you need both- effort and the Holy Spirit in order to renew your mind.
 
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unobtrusive

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2017
916
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#12
I always enjoy learning of cases where modern science proves the Word of YHWH true and/or validates Master YHWH’s principles with physical evidence.

I recently happened upon just such information pertaining to some very well-known scriptures.
Romans 12:2 (NAS)
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
And…
Philippians 4:8-9 (CJB)
8 In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy.
9 Keep doing what you have learned and received from me, what you have heard and seen me doing; then the God who gives shalom will be with you.

The science of it is explained in an article titled, “How Your Mind Shapes Your Brain” ….a fairly long, in-depth article summarized in this excerpt.
“Every second of your life, every single thing of which you are aware – sounds, sights, thoughts, feelings – and even that of which you’re not aware – unconscious mental and physical processes – can be directly mapped to what’s happening in your brain. Over time, patterns emerge and actually shape your brain’s form and function. What you do, experience, think, hope, and imagine physically changes your brain through what’s called experience-dependent neuroplasticity.
Every minute of every day, you are literally shaping your brain.
In the article, What Stress Does to Your Brain, Jo Marchant, PHD in genetics and medical microbiology and author of Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body, explains:
Your brain reflects the way that you think throughout your life. You kind of shape it by your thoughts and your behaviors. If you play violin for eight hours a day, then the parts of the brain responsible for helping you to play the violin will get larger. If you’re thinking stressful thoughts for the whole day then those parts of the brain are going to get larger and other parts of the brain will deteriorate.”

Physically, the brain can be “rewired” to show amazing degrees of recovery from strokes, brain trauma, and addictions.

It should not be surprising at all that our Creator was the architect of the whole process, even telling us centuries ago how it works in His Word.

YHWH doesn’t tell us to do something without giving us instructions and tools.
The tool He gave us is His Word and the instructions are also there. He has given us an assignment to renew our minds. And as a child in school cannot, neither can we, say to someone else, “Do my homework for me.” Homework is a simple parallel to what YHWH tells us in His Word where we are told by Yeshua that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth – NOT do everything for us. We are responsible for accomplishing the assignment – it is our mind.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NAS) YHWH has given us this amazing tool for renewing our minds – would it not be a crying shame to disregard it?

The next logical question I believe would be, “what does it mean to renew my mind - how do I do that?” We need to learn to think as Master YHWH thinks, getting rid of our negative, critical sinful thought processes, selfish, self-centered thoughts, anything that is displeasing to YHWH. In other words, all unrighteousness. That includes guarding our mind and not filling it with garbage. Evaluate what we watch on TV, what we read, and the music we listen to and see if it passes the test.
 

unobtrusive

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2017
916
25
18
#13
It's our responcibility to spell correctly...:cool:
So nice to see you following scripture by rebuking your brother Luke 17:3 (KJV) "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him."

Just one more thing, please give scripture to support the rebuke of a spelling error - for my edification of course.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,173
2,536
113
#14
I believe that with the renewing of the heart comes the renewing of the mind. What we see speak and think comes directly from what is in our hearts and while I do think the holy spirit is the one that does the true renewing it is up to us to be willing to be renewed and how far we will be renewed.

For instance a student have all the intelligence in the world but unless the student is willing to be taught they will remain in their state of learning, and a person can be molded into a living representation of god's heart but that really depends on how far they are willing for God to change them. Beware of course what you ask for because just may receive it even if it's not at all how you expected, there are times when God will use tribulations and harsh seasons that may bring you close to breaking in order to renew your heart and mind and I know this from personal experience
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,247
25,714
113
#15
Sure....it is the study and application of the word.....the word transformed comes from the same Greek word that we get metamorphosis from....we change outwardly because of the inward change.......

Just think...God uses nature to teach us this awesome truth....

from a low life worm (sinner) to a magnificent multi-colored butterfly (faithful, serving saint that brings glory to God)

The direct result of being born again from above by incorruptible seed and the transformed by the renewing of the mind......
 

unobtrusive

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2017
916
25
18
#16
I believe that with the renewing of the heart comes the renewing of the mind. What we see speak and think comes directly from what is in our hearts and while I do think the holy spirit is the one that does the true renewing it is up to us to be willing to be renewed and how far we will be renewed.

For instance a student have all the intelligence in the world but unless the student is willing to be taught they will remain in their state of learning, and a person can be molded into a living representation of god's heart but that really depends on how far they are willing for God to change them. Beware of course what you ask for because just may receive it even if it's not at all how you expected, there are times when God will use tribulations and harsh seasons that may bring you close to breaking in order to renew your heart and mind and I know this from personal experience
I would agree that these thoughts are a part of renewing our minds. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. :)
 
L

LM

Guest
#17
Great responses!

I agree, it requires us to obey and replace our carnal thinking with God's word. With the assistance of the holy spirit (strengthening us and showing us how to do it).

2 Corinthians 10:5 is another example of renewing the mind. Bringing down any thoughts/anything that go against our knowledge of God, and bringing them back into the obedience of Christ (replace those thoughts with the word). Requires us to choose to act.

Also, Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you that as in Christ Jesus. If you read through verse 8, Jesus "humbled" Himself and became obedient unto death. It was a choice to do so. So, therefore if we take on His example, we have to choose (humble ourselves) to allow God's word to renew our thinking/life (which requires dying to the carnal mind).
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#19
Has the responsibility of the renewing of our minds been given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit, or does it just happen once we believe? In Scripture Paul seems to be saying that it's up to us in order for it to be done.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:23-24)

What do you think?
Seems to me God does the hard work. And "then I will..."

[h=1]Psalm 51:10-17[/h][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
[/FONT]
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
[/FONT]
[/FONT]
 

unobtrusive

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2017
916
25
18
#20
Metamorphousthe is a present passive which in effect says allow it to be continuously done to you.

IMO this indicates that the transformation is God's responsibility; but we are able to hinder the process and are told not to do so.
Actually the word "renewing" is the subject. ἀνακαίνωσις anakaínōsis, an-ak-ah'-ee-no-sis; renovation:—renewing.

Nevertheless, I agree that you are correct concerning "transformed." It looks like a "team effort" with us, the Word, and the Holy Spirit that you describe as an ongoing process that leads to renovation and renewing of the mind.


Metamorphoo met-am-or-fo'-o to transform (literally or figuratively, "metamorphose"):--change, transfigure, transform

"
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed (metamorphoo) by the renewing (
anakaínōsis) of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romasn 12:2)

"Metamorphosis" is the term we use for what you are addressing, meaning the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form, relating to Matthew 5:48. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

Perfect = τέλειος complete in various applications of labour, growth, mental and moral character.