Change The Way You Think

Reading: Romans 12; Psalm 78

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. (Romans 12:2 NLT)

How can I avoid the pressure and pull toward copying the behavior and customs of this world? If what I see, hear, and think all grows out of this world’s customs, attitudes, and behaviors, then I will copy that even if I don’t mean to.

I’ve got to let God transform me by changing the way I think. Part of that is getting God’s way of thinking into my mind by reading God’s Word and letting that inform my thoughts. Part of that is through associating with people who are thinking God thoughts. Part of it is through an open-minded, open-hearted life that is sensitive to God’s Spirit and responsive to his promptings.

But it’s not only about hearing words and thinking thoughts. Jesus said that the change only happens when we begin to act in willing obedience to the thoughts, the words, and the ways of God.

One thing I know…If I drift, I will drift toward the behavior and customs of this world. I must be intentional and determined to go against the flow.

When I soak myself in God’s thoughts, values, attitudes, and passions, and then begin to act accordingly, those thoughts, values, attitudes, and passions soon become my own!

Think about this statement for a few moments: “We don’t think ourselves into new ways of living, we live ourselves into new ways of thinking!”

Prayer:

Father, Please transform me into a new person by changing the way I think. I will look for, listen to, and act in obedient faith in, your word and your ways. I will allow the mind of Christ to think your thoughts in my mind. I want to know what you want me to do. And I want to do it. Amen.