Ephesians 4:17-24 Renew the Mind

So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness....that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Sinners gotta sin. That's why they're called sinners.

The mind of an unbeliever is depraved. By denying God, they keep themselves in darkness. They think themselves to be wise and claim moral superiority even as they advocate the murder of newborn children. They claim to be open and tolerant, and in the same breath condemn Christians for disagreeing with them. Because of the ignorance in them, they don't see the contradictions, and are blind to their own hypocrisy.

They walk in arrogance, claiming that they don't need God, or denying Him altogether. "The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”"[Psalm 14:1 NASB]

Christians should be different. We should stand out in the world. We should demonstrate to the world what it is like to walk in the grace of God. We need to be examples of godly behavior.

You should be righteous - not self-righteous. If you think like the world, you will act like the world. Sinners act out of ignorance, their minds being blinded because they don't understand God's goodness and mercy. Being of the flesh, it is natural for them to indulge the flesh.

But if you are a Christian, and you act the same as the world, with drunkenness, sexual impurity, and greed, you don't do it out of ignorance. You know the love of God, and what Jesus did to save your soul. You know that He has called you to a life of purity and holiness.

You are told to lay aside the old self and its corruptions, and "be renewed in the spirit of your mind".

We are told, "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." [Romans 12:1-2 NASB]

The renewal of the mind is part of your sanctification. God has called you to be holy, and that means you must renew your mind. But there's a catch. You can't do it. You can concentrate all your effort on renewing your mind and it won't happen. You can spend the day thing good thoughts about puppies and daisies, but that won't renew your mind. Yet you are commanded to do so.

You are also commanded to be saved. We know that nothing we do can save us, but we are told, nonetheless, to be saved. We know that salvation is an act of God's grace, but it also a decision on our part to accept His grace. It's an act of faith. Sanctification is the same. Having begun by grace through faith, our sanctification (growing in holiness and our relationship with God) must continue by grace through faith.

So, when God tells you to renew your mind, it is His grace and power that will make it happen, but it is also your decision and faith that allows Him to work in you. 

Talk to God, and ask Him to give you the grace to renew your mind. If you find your thoughts returning to their old patterns, don't be discouraged. Just ask God again, and He will meet you where you are.

Faith is something that grows as you use it. The more your faith grows, the more it will show in your life, as He transforms you into His image.