One of the more important instructions Paul gives us is to renew our minds. This is not some idle suggestion since he makes it more than once. And it’s not a magic wand that’s twirled over our heads when we are born again that instantaneously creates a new mindset, this is a daily ongoing activity that we have the responsibility for. Fortunately not alone – we have help.
But it is also very clear that it is our responsibility. In Romans (12:2) Paul says we should not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing. And in Colossians 3:10 he tell us, “… to put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him (Jesus)…”. Put on.
Renewing is a putting on…. which implies a putting off. Consider some of the behaviors/ emotions we are to put off: worry for faith (Philippians 4:6-8), despair for hope (Psalms 33:17), anger for love (1Corinthians 13), sorrow for joy (2Corinthians 6:9), gloom for cheerfulness (Philippians 4:4), jealousy for contentment (Philippians 4:12).
Those are only some of the trades we are to make. We are to put off worry, despair, anger, sorrow, gloom, jealousy. But in the putting off we are to put on: faith, hope, love, joy, cheerfulness, contentment. Again, these are only some of the trades we get to make but the really wonderful news is that we can! If it weren’t possible, we wouldn’t be told to do this.
Renewing takes time and takes dedication because the old and familiar of the put offs sometimes seem to be simpler. But the cost of those behaviors and emotions can sap you of your strength. Putting on the new is worth the cost. Renewing is an ongoing conscious act until the new becomes who we are.
