Be Ye Transformed
The Renewing of Your Mind
Christianity Oasis provides this Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind Study. This study brings forth truth, understanding and then peace within.
Christianity Oasis Ministry
presents
Daily Bread Devotional Bible Study
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans
Chapter 12
Be Ye Transformed
The Renewing of Your Mind
Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind Bible study taking an in depth look into the procedure of how to Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind message which will truly bring a smile to the lips and heart and shine the LIGHT of Truth upon your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk path.
Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind Adventure
It's a pleasure to have you back once again, here at Daily Bread. The last few chapters have focused mainly on the law, the Jewish people compared to the Gentiles, and how we are all essentially alike because we're all God's children. Paul has given us some great detailed explanations of how our salvation all boils down to one thing, really, and that is, Faith in Jesus Christ.
So, how should we behave in our lives as believers in Christ? Well, life isn't perfect, as Paul in his unashamed and humble manner, back in Chapter 7 described how our fleshly selves war with our spiritual selves each and every day. But the one purpose we have, our hope for salvation, makes us view our trials and tribulations in a different light than before.
How about a little Daily Bread Stick to begin our study with today? What is an immunization? As strange as it sounds, it's where an antigen (a toxin which is part of a disease) is injected into your body, and in turn, your body produces antibodies (a type of protein) that mixes with the antigens to neutralize (destroy) them, which makes you highly resistant to the disease.
You can look at trials and tribulations in your life, in the same way, as a Christian. Evil is the antigen. The devil introduces it into your fleshly self by way of your senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, and thought. Your spiritual self has to produce the antibodies to destroy the evil. The antibodies are Truth. The more you do this, the more resistant you become to evil.
Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind Journey
Now, wickedness or evil, as you know, despises being exposed to the light, so the best way to zap it with your new Christian immunization is to identify and reveal every kind of evil or wickedness as soon as you can. For example: you're on the computer, typing an e-mail to your Grand Dad, and an advertisement pops up that is meant to tempt you.
Immediately "×" it off your screen, quote scripture that brings light to the lie, say aloud "I'm not interested in filth" or something to that effect, and you've done it! The point it to destroy the lie with Truth. You can do the same thing to commercials on television, messages on the radio, in magazines or newspapers, thoughts that come into your mind, or absolutely anything that you wouldn't be proud to walk up to Jesus and share with Him.
Try this kind of resistance to the devil for a while and see if temptation becomes easier for you to fight. Each time evil offers you an opportunity, that's another chance for you to immunize yourself against it. Trials will come, but ...
Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind Truth
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
It's all part of Spiritual Warfare, which is the devil's quest to win as many souls as he can, away from God. Now there's two ways to look at this. You can be afraid that evil is bound to cross your path every day, and hide in your cupboard. Or, you can understand that if you're not being tempted by evil, it may be because you've drifted far enough away from God, that the devil doesn't feel like he needs to spend the effort on you. So the next time you're confronted with a wicked situation, look at it as an opportunity to spiritually strengthen yourself.
Every moment is a new moment to renew our lives and become closer to Jesus. We have to change from the "old man" as Paul refers to our old selves, into the "new man" which is who we want to be for God. Let's see how Paul encourages us to do this.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, Holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Reasonable service ... Perhaps Paul is saying, in modern terms, I'm just asking you to be good, and that's not unreasonable.
Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind Trip
When you think of the word "sacrifice" in Old Testament terms, you probably think of Abel, giving his favorite, flawless little lamb to God, or faithful Abraham, preparing to sacrifice Isaac to God, after all the waiting and heartache he endured, finally having the son of the Lord's promise, and how honorable it was of him not to hesitate when God asked for the boy for a sacrifice. The word sacrifice may make you think of Jesus, being the final sacrifice for our sins, but what do all these have in common? A sacrifice was something loved, that was to be killed and given to God. Paul says, give your body to God as a living sacrifice. Be as unblemished as a baby lamb, be as precious as a long awaited son, be Christ-like.
2 And be not conformed to [don't follow] 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.
3 For I say, through the Grace given unto me, to every man
that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought
to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every
man the measure [the same opportunity] of Faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members
have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one
members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that
is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the
proportion of Faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that
teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth [encourages], on exhortation
[encouragement]: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity
[humbly]; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with
cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation [hypocrisy]. Abhor
that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly
love; in honour preferring one another [putting others above
yourself];
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving
the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing
instant [ready, at all times] in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to
hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind Grace
This is a tough one, I know. But just use your immunization program, and you'll resist the temptation.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them
that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high
things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own
conceits [don't give in to pride, but be humble].
You become what you surround yourself with, so surround yourself with things that remind you of God and your walk with Him. Your eyes are the portal to the soul, so wouldn't it be a good idea to influence your soul with holy things?
We are greatly influenced by what our eyes are exposed to. How true and Biblically sound is this? Jacob influenced his father-in-law Laban's flocks to bear striped, speckled, and spotted offspring by facing the animals toward tree branches that he peeled in striped, speckled and spotted patterns (Genesis 30:37-39).
If you want to be conformed to the image of God, surround yourself with Godly things.
Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind Clues
Surround yourself with Godly people too. If your friends are prideful, it's a good bet that you are. Step back and evaluate what their priorities are, and you'll probably find that your goals are about the same. Paul's advice is to condescend to men of low estate. That means, become humble or bring yourself down from pride to humility. Hang around with humble people. Don't think you're smart in your own proud notions (fame, fortune, conceit, etc., they all lead to evil).
17 Recompense to [pay back] no man evil for evil. Provide
things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in [depends on]
you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give
place unto wrath [depart from anger]: for it is written, Vengeance is
mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Deuteronomy 32:35
To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Psalms 94:1
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind Facts
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he
thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire
on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Perhaps Paul was using a figure of speech by saying that you will heap coals of fire on your enemy by being nice to him. It may be that in that era, it meant you would give them a good wake up call, get their attention, stop them in their tracks, etc. Don't forget, the Spirit of the Word, not the letter.
There's something that you should watch out for here. You don't be kind to, or bless your enemy in hopes of God's vengeance on them. Jesus said, if you think something, you're as guilty as if you did it (Matthew 5:27-28).
Be kind and bless your enemy in hopes that they be transformed as you are, remembering that at one time, you acted as they do. Perhaps your offense wasn't the same exact thing, but we're all creatures of sin, so do the righteous thing, and leave God's business to Him.
Our study today started with the question of how we should behave as believers in Christ. Paul always has Truth to share about how to live a Godly life in an ungodly world so add his advice to your immunization kit, and be transformed into a new self.
Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind Summary
Glad you were here to share the Truth in today's study. Come on back again real soon and we'll press on with more of this wonderful letter from Paul, right here at Daily Bread.
Be wise ... Immunize!
Click the link below to learn more of renewing your mind:
There is a force out there that is attempting to overtake us all; it is Satan. There is another force that is protecting us from him; it is the Holy Spirit. It is a battle for souls. This battle is called Spiritual Warfare, and like it or not, you are right in the middle of it.
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