Renewing your mind means washing out the ways of thinking associated with our “old man” by filling it with a new, fresh supply of God’s way of thinking, our “new man” in Christ.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Rom. 12:2
What comes to mind when you hear the word worldliness? Is it a certain behavior? A form of entertainment? Or perhaps a personal practice of another Christian, which differs from your own conviction? While all of these may or may not be part of what it means to be worldly, worldliness involves our thinking. Rightly understood, worldliness is a misuse of the Christian mind. The antidote, therefore, is to renew our mind with God’s truth.
Instead of slothfully conforming our mind to the thinking of the rest of the world, we must discipline ourselves to think God’s thoughts according to his Word. The Scripture above begins with an urgent request. That is, in light of “the mercies of God” in bringing redemption to sinners (explained in Romans, chapters 1-11), Paul urges us to present our “bodies as a living sacrifice.” This is a passionate plea to offer ourselves to God for the service of holiness.
