Time and time again, Christians set out to change their actions though resentful that they have to or many times they think they cannot change. Many feel like they have no control over themselves. “This is who I am.” “I cannot change.” “I was born this way.” The world makes claims like this all the time. “I can’t control my desires.” Those asserting such statements are most likely referring to the works of the flesh such as “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like” (Gal 5:19–21).
The War against the Mind
By the Spirit, Paul presented this struggle in Romans 7:15–25. Paul expressed, “For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Rom 7:15).This struggle is common to everyone. This comes down to the mind and thoughtful prevention. Not the conviction that these things are wrong or that you are tempted, but the discipline of the mind and constant prevention of such temptations. Paul declared, “but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members” (Rom 7:23). This is the war and most are not armed.
Overcoming Temptations
How can someone overcome these temptations? In Romans 8, the Spirit reveals that the mind that is set on the things of the Spirit is life and peace while the mind of the flesh is death (Rom 8:5–6). The mind must be set on the Spirit. This is certainly a life and death situation for “for if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live” (Rom 8:13). By setting the mind on the Spirit, the Spirit and Christ dwell within the believer (Rom 8:9–11). Setting the mind is not easy for many who struggle with sin. Many have just given up. The Scriptures continue to reveal the same truth for a need to change the mind. Every Christian must learn to change their mind.
Transformation and the Mind
In Romans 12:1, Paul commanded that Christians give a sacrifice to God of their bodies as a living sacrifices as holy and pleasing to God. As for this sacrifice, Paul urged, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom 12:2). How do Christians not conform and be transformed? This is done by renewing the mind. The mission of the Holy Spirit is transform us into the image of Christ (2 Cor 3:18). For Christians to overcome all sins, each person must change our mind. This is the literal meaning of the Greek word metanoia translated as “repent” (Acts 8:22; 2 Cor 12:21; Heb 6:1; Rev 2:5, 21–22). Christians must take time to think about the evil of these temptations, how these tempting sins are wrong and a misuse of the desires that God has given each person. Every desire has a good use. For instance, sexual desire is good for marriage and not outside of marriage. Everyone wants love and respect, and each has the responsibility to attain such in the right way.
Renewing the Mind in Repentance
Christians are to take time to read and pray. Who takes time to repent? Repentance goes beyond being one of the first necessary responses to the Gospel of Christ (Acts 2:38; 17:30). In the renewal of the mind and thinking in the Spirit, should not the Christian take time to accomplish this? Why not think upon Christian ideals from reading and reflect through prayer to change one’s mind? How many Christians imagine themselves overcoming sin, helping others, and spreading the Gospel? This would certainly be the mind set on the things of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Paul instructed, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col 3:1–2).
Thinking on the Honorable
Many devote their minds to sin even ignorantly calling evil good and good evil. Many spend their time listening to music, casual talk, and other forms of entertainment that romanticize evil. To conquer those habitual sins that continually rise up, Christians must keep good resolutions on the mind. Paul urged Christians to contemplate, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise” (Phil 4:8). The apostle Paul describes the battle to take minds captive to the Gospel of Christ. Paul depicted, “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:3–6). One must think deeply on the things written in Scripture (2 Tim 2:7).
Urges and the Mind
What about the compulsive desire that seem to overcome minds? Is there more that can be done? The only way to stop compulsive sins is to make no provision for the flesh. Flesh wages war against one’s spirit. The renewed mind will still be pulled from temptations of the flesh, the eyes, and pride. The Christians must not leave even one path open to temptation. The distortion of desires toward sin can give birth to sin unto spiritual death (Jas 1:14–15). Therefore, “put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof” (Rom 13:14). Why would the Scriptures instruct to make no provision for the flesh when it is possible to always withstand sin by setting the mind alone? Therefore, part of setting the mind is to set the mind in making no provision for the flesh. By this, Christians “abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess 5:22).
The Church and the Mind
The need for the renewal of mind shows even greater the need for reinforcement from God and His Church. Christians must pray, read, listen to teaching, sing, and assemble with the saints (1 Cor 14:14–15). Because of the need to continually renew the mind, assembling for edification and worship are essential (Heb 10:24–25). For the assembly is a time of self-examination (1 Cor 11:28–31; 14:40).
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The Breath of God 
Can you please expand on this line? Thanks. Laura
Many spend their time listening to music, casual talk, and other forms of entertainment that romanticizes evil.
Let me be specific…casual talk, I assume, means gossip. Other forms of entertainment, I’d like for you to clarify by example, and music…well that one stumps me. I have never cared for Christian music other than traditional hymns. I do not like contemporary Christian music, classical, country, rap, etc. I do love rock. It brings me joy, as it has since I was a child in the 70’s. This will never change. But, it does not encourage me to do drugs, drink, or have extramarital sex. I simply love it and it makes me happy. Thanks again.
I should have been more specific. Our talk needs to be pure. No crude jokes, gossip, or reviling. There are the TV shows and movies that present evil as a casual part of life and anyone who says otherwise are judgmental hateful puritans.
As for music, I don’t listen to “Christian music”, hymns, etc. I listen to rock music without. It is the message that is the concern. I like Jack Johnson. I’ve yet to hear anything from him that is unclean. I can add a list of bands. If you listen to sinful music, know that those words do effect you like the casual immoral behavior promoted in TV shows. We may not accept it, but if we keep being entertained by that, then we are not going to be so offended by it.
Scott this is awesome, your message is powerful and inspiring, lot you open my eye to. But remember people like Sanballat, Tobias and Geshem will not appreciate the good work of God in your life, As an Ambassadors of Christ Jesus, opposition will like to pull you down?, don’t be discourage your are God mouthpiece. May your ministry continue to grow from Strength to Strength, Victory to Victory Power to Power In Jesus powerful name. We are praying for you
Pst Remi
EICC
Thank you for the encouragement.
In order to cease from sin, we most definitely must be renewed in the spirit of our mind. We must have the new nature and the mind of Christ active in our life.
This is a great message I just feel like I have tried for so long and can’t fix me! I recently discovered I have adult add and my marriage is on the line. I interrupt my husband he says I am controlling and he has had enough. This is a very encouraging word I just feel hopeless sometimes! Thanks
Thank you for this message. Im going to put some of the words in my website.
Hi Scott! Thank you for a great article. I was trying to get asome ideas to write about change. You gave me a lot but it won’t be as easy as I thought. I was gonna have to keep it under 300 words! Well, I’ll go pray about it…but when I do if you don’t mind I’ll send people to your site to read what you’ve said. Many thanks and Blessings Lanie
Thanks and God bless.
Thanks Larry.
The renewal of the mind ideally would be a one time thing. As for repentance, my word search reveal that Revelation 2-3 is filled with references of Jesus teaching those erring churches to repent though at one point they had already and now they must come back. The Corinthians also had to have godly sorrow to repent again unto salvation (2 Cor. 7:9-10). Their is a repentance needed for these though not continual.
It does sound like I mean that one should continually repent especially when I say that we should take time to repent like with prayer and reading. I’ll fix that. Thank you. We should continually think on good things and set our minds on things above. This renewal of the mind is a work “befitting repentance” (Acts 26:20).
Grace and peace to you in Christ.
Scott,
I’m not sure if you will get this as this post is almost 2 years old, but I have two things:
1. Thank you for your post, it was inspiring and helpful to me as I explore the subject of change in my life, in my church, and in my community.
2. On your point of repentance, you say that changing your mind is a continuous thing; however, after doing a word search on “repentance” not one Scripture speaks of it as a constant change. It’s as if the authors are suggesting that change is a one time occurrence. I understand the consistency we must have with forgiveness (constantly asking Christ to cleanse us of our sins), but not’s the same thing as repentance (just a part of it). What are your thoughts on this subject?
You’re welcome. Please pray for me and I’ll be praying for you. God bless.
Thank you. I need this. I so desperately want to be living in that place where I don’t have to worry about accidentally hurting people with my actions anymore. I want this to be my life. I’ve been trying and trying and praying about it and pleading for God’s help and forgiveness for about 6 months now but the only place I’ve gotten is to the bottom of myself. I know in my heart that I am a good man and I know that my motives for doing things are right to but for some reason my actions are completely contradictory to the both of them. I’m sick of causing pain and anguish whenever I do something. I pray that this is the answer I’ve been waiting for so desperately. Thank you