At the heart of why so many people do not have the abundant life that Jesus died for them to have is because they do not have a transformed mind. This is the real reason that they (we) are not living their (our) dreams and manifesting the very things that God wants them (us) to have.

“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (change) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude]…” Romans 12:2a [Amp]

The non-believing or unsaved person and the Christian without a transformed AND unrenewed mind share a “What about me” mentality of life. This mentality or way of thinking speaks right to the heart of the lie or ruse that caused Eve to be deceived, “That no one can take care of me better than I can do for myself.” “That for whatever reason, God is holding something back from me.” “That He doesn’t want me to have the very best is life.”

Understand that you CAN be saved and still believe a lie straight from the pit of Hell. Hosea 4:6 starts with “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” God says, “MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED…” you can be a Christian and STILL be LIVING a life of defeat, a life of hurt, a life of pain.

“And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham’s Seed], then you are Abraham’s offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise. Now what I mean is that as long as the inheritor (heir) is a child and under age, he does not differ from a slave, although he is the master of all the estate;” Galatians 3:29; 4:1 [Amp]

The unrenewed mind is self-centered. This “What about me” way of thinking and attitude of heart is childlike in nature. Here are a few ways that being childlike in your thinking (or having an unrenewed mind) affects your not walking fully in the abundant life of God’s promise:

• 1) Even if God granted your heart’s desire, most likely it would take your focus off your relationship with God, which leads to sin (and death).
• 2) You are not willing to do the very things that would allow God’s promises to flow (with ease) into your life. The very disciplines needed are viewed as punishment instead of preparation.
• 3) You will not have (or even desire to get) the wisdom needed to be a Godly steward over the things in your care. In other words, you will not be able to take care of, properly, the things given to you.
• 4) An unrenewed mind will always focus on doubt, looking at their situation (life) from a fearful or fleshly point of view.
• 5) An unrenewed mind is always looking to be served. It's focus is on me, myself and I.
• 6) An unrenewed mind makes choices mainly by feelings, unwilling to exercise the needed effort that Godly principles require.
• 7) An unrenewed mind is more concerned about what others think than pleasing God (or being obedient to His Word).
• 8) An unrenewed mind lacks the (emotional) maturity to stand (to keep doing the right thing) until he or she sees the desired results. Just like a baby that cries as soon as it is hungry, he or she wants it NOW and exactly like they want it.

There are simply certain things that you cannot handle because you are still a child (in your level of thinking for that area of your life).

Let us recap the four-part directive found in Romans 12:2 (See my blog – Part 3 Choosing Jesus as Lord)

1. Don’t be like the world

2. Transform your mind = To change HOW you think

3. Renew your mind = To change WHAT you think

4. Prove it for yourself = Try it and the results will speak for themselves, both in your life and in His will getting done through you

Notice that Romans 12:2 says that you transform your mind BY renewing it. The Greek word used here for transform is “metamorphoo”, this is where we get our word metamorphose the word we use to describe how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. Which is a mirror image of the very thing that happens to us when we daily purpose to renew our minds by changing what we think on, to focus on God’s word (His promises) instead of the problems that we see with our eyes (our circumstances).

THIS IS A PROCESS.

A transformed mind is the result or byproduct of “Renewing Your Mind”, you are responsible to change your focus or what you think about and God will do the rest .(The change of How you think will become as natural as your old way of thinking was.)

We will deal more with the “real world” application of the process in Part 3 of “How to Transform Your Mind”

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I though like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.” 1 Corinthians 13:11 [Amp]

Pastor Michael Larkins is the Author of “Victorious Nuggets – Transforming Self-Esteem into Christ-Esteem.

For more of his blogs go to his web site www.thewealthresponse.com