2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV)
I did a goodsearch on “brain transformation” and learned about the interesting and extensive science dedicated to this concept: brainwaves and rebuilding after traumatic brain injury.
I followed that up with a goodsearch of “renewing your mind” and was taken to a multiplicity of sites focused on the biblical passages associated with changing thought patterns and attitudes.
The Message tells us: Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.
I like the Phillips translation: Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within.
So from this I glean the world wants to shape us, and wants that shape to be so natural we respond without even thinking. And what is our best defense against this?
The renewing of our mind. Letting God do the rewiring work. Work that is from the inside out.
One of the first things we need to allow God to show us is the lies we have believed. If we are to know the truth that sets us free, we have to identify the lies we have allowed to shape us.
Here’s the biggest problem with those lies: they sound like truth. Consider the lies the serpent told Eve. The serpent twisted what God had told Adam just enough to make it sound logical…just enough so Adam would doubt what he knew. He bought the lie and we’ve been paying ever since.
Definitely not funny “haha”…
So our challenge today is to start the process of not living in the lies.
PRAYER: God who wires us and wants to shape us, forgive us for our easy believism, our willingness to trust the lie without testing it or taking it to you. Will you begin to show us the lies we have bought in to…and rewire and mould us to you. AMEN.
Pot of Manna 