Renewing your mind means transforming your perspective to align with God’s Word and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, rather than being influenced by your own experiences or the world’s values.
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“Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.” —Romans 12:2
How to Renew Your Mind
Make God’s Word a Priority in Your Life
“My child, pay attention to my words; listen attentively to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight, guard them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and healing to one’s entire body. Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.” —Proverbs 4:20-23
Focus Your Mind on God’s Word
“Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth.” —Colossians 3:1-2
“For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit.” —Romans 8:5
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.” —Philippians 4:8
Ask the Holy Spirit to Help You Understand God’s Word
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. For he will not speak on his own authority, but will speak whatever he hears, and will tell you what is to come.” —John 16:13
“Open my eyes so I can truly see the marvelous things in your law!” —Psalm 119:18
Meditate on God’s Word
“Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night.” —Psalm 1:2
Memorize God’s Word
“This law scroll must not leave your lips! You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful.” —Joshua 1:8
Trust God’s Word
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5-6
Reject Thoughts Contrary to God’s Word
“We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.” —2 Corinthians 10:4b-5
Apply God’s Word to Your Life
“For if someone merely listens to the word and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out—he will be blessed in what he does.” —James 1:23-25
“With all my heart I seek you. Do not allow me to stray from your commands! I store up your words in my heart, so that I might not sin against you.” —Psalm 119:10-11
Delight in God’s Word
“I find delight in your statutes; I do not forget your instructions.” —Psalm 119:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with grace in your hearts to God.” —Colossians 3:16
The Superiority of God’s Word
God’s Word Is Pure
“Every word of God is purified; he is like a shield for those who take refuge in him.” —Proverbs 30:5
God’s Word Is Truth
“Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth.” —John 17:17
God’s Word Is Just
“For the Lord’s decrees are just, and everything he does is fair.” —Psalm 33:4
God’s Word Is Reliable
“The grass dries up, the flowers wither, but the decree of our God is forever reliable.” —Isaiah 40:8
God’s Word Is Permanent
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” —Matthew 24:35
God’s Word Reveals God
“Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination, for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” —2 Peter 1:20-21
“’Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds,’ says the Lord.” —Isaiah 55:8
“Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he resides with you and will be in you.” —John 14:16-17
Jesus Values God’s Word
Jesus Loved/Treasured/Revered God’s Word
“I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me, but I am doing just what the Father commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.” —John 14:30-31
Jesus Understood God’s Word
“Jesus answered them, ‘You are deceived, because you don’t know the scriptures or the power of God.’” —Matthew 22:29
Jesus Obeyed God’s Word
“‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’” —Luke 11:28b
Jesus Depended on God’s Word
“But he answered, ‘It is written, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” —Matthew 4:4
Jesus Proclaimed God’s Word
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.” —Matthew 7:24
The Benefits of God’s Word
Examines the Heart
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.” —Hebrews 4:12
Provides Perspective
“The Lord’s commands are pure and give insight for life.” —Psalm 19:8b
Shows the Way
“Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path.” —Psalm 119:105
Gives Insight to the Inexperienced
“Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines. They give insight to the untrained.” —Psalm 119:130
Imparts Wisdom
“The rules set down by the Lord are reliable and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.” —Psalm 19:7b
Frees from Spiritual Bondage
“…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:32
Set Apart for Holiness
“…to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word,…” —Ephesians 5:26
Produces Righteousness
“Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,…” —2 Timothy 3:16
Creates New Life
“You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.” —1 Peter 1:23
Generates Hope
“For everything that was written in former times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and through encouragement of the scriptures we may have hope.” —Romans 15:4
Builds Faith
“Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.” —Romans 10:17
Brings Joy
“The Lord’s precepts are fair and make one joyful.” —Psalm 19:8a
Is Dependable
“The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy and absolutely just.” —Psalm 19:9b
Offers Stability
“The commands to fear the Lord are right and endure forever.” —Psalm 19:9a
Is a Firm Foundation
“The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip.” —Psalm 37:31
Accomplishes the Purpose
“In the same way, the promise that I make does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. No, it is realized as I desire and is fulfilled as I intend.” —Isaiah 55:11
Is Enriching
“They are of greater value than gold, than even a great amount of pure gold; they bring greater delight than honey, than even the sweetest honey from a honeycomb. Yes, your servant finds moral guidance there; those who obey them receive a rich reward.” —Psalm 19:10-11
Preserves Life
“The law of the Lord is perfect and preserves one’s life.” —Psalm 19:7a