Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind
I have written some on this verse already, and it is likely that I will return to it in the future. This is a passage that I revisit frequently because I know its truth is continually applicable. For this post, I have one simple point (with two subpoints...I couldn't resist).
The main point is simple: Transformation comes from thinking differently, and thinking differently requires better thinking.
It must be first noted that renewed thinking comes by the power of the Holy Spirit. In the same way that He changes our hearts, He likewise enlightens our minds. This is reassuring because as we pursue deeper and better thinking, we don't have to come up with anything on our own. We can 'lean not on our own understanding' but rather look to Him to bring about revelation. Our own faulty thinking - brought about by our nature, society, media, and the like - is not overcome by trying harder or reading more, necessarily. However, when we are full of the Spirit, reading more can lead to greater revelation. Prayer can lead to vision. Writing can be compelling. Thinking can be beautiful.
Once we understand that it is the Holy Spirit who renews the mind, we are free to prayerfully engage in the life of the mind - to think better, in other words. We can read the Bible and understand not only what it reveals about us but also what it reveals about God. We can listen to the lyrics of a song and understand the deeper imagery being drawn on in the interplay of words and music. We can watch a movie and see the layers of the characters. We can engage with culture without being conformed to it. We can discover what, in the words of Mark Driscoll, we can receive, reject, and redeem. In so doing, we are able to deepen our understanding of the world around us without being conformed to it by the grace of God and the power of His Spirit.
My encouragement is this: When you read a book; when you watch a movie; when you peruse the newspaper; when you listen to the radio - think about the messages being preached. As Christians, we listen to sermons every week from a pulpit. The world is preaching as well, through all the mediums mentioned above. We do not have the luxury of relaxing our minds during these times. Pay attention to the messages being preached and understand what the implications are. In this way you can experience your renewed, and liberated, mind while avoiding conformity to the world.
Happy thinking.
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