Renewing the Mind: Part I

The mind encompasses what we think, imagine, remember, sense, believe, reason, or desire. What we allow into our thoughts and what we believe play a crucial role in experiencing the freedom that Christ has paid for.

We've spent a great deal of time on the heart and mouth over the last couple of weeks. Now, let's talk about the mind. We cannot talk about freedom and not discuss the bondage so many feel in their minds. The mind is why so many feel stuck! Did you know that the percentage of mental illnesses in the United States has increased by 13% over the last ten years, and similar substantial rises have been noted for the last 50 years? According to the CDC, over 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental health issue in their lifetime. That's pretty shocking. (Although to be clear, I refute that right now in the name of Jesus!)

A mentally broken life is not an unstuck life, is it? When I ponder the complexities of this issue, obviously, I couldn't possibly hit all areas in a 500-word devotional, but I do want to give clarity and context to the freedom the Lord can offer in the mind. We've covered how our words can entangle us, so let's shift focus to the mind. Why is renewing the mind so important? It's easy to fall into harmful thought patterns. Without renewing our minds, we become vulnerable to fear, shame, guilt, or hopelessness. That's why we must take control of our thoughts and transform them with God's truth. The problem is that so many Believers were never taught how to renew their minds.

Sometimes, there's a whole inner narrative that no one else hears. Maybe we hide it because we fear rejection—or, deep down, we know those thoughts aren't right. It could be jealousy toward a friend, a lustful glance at someone on the street, or self-loathing thoughts like, "No one cares about me," or "Everyone would be better off without me." The enemy loves to use our minds as a battlefield. Most of us recognize that these thoughts aren't from God, but they still show up uninvited. Just like the rest of our body, our mind needs discipline. We must command it to come into alignment with the Word of God and renew it daily.

The first step in renewing your mind is recognizing the lies you've been agreeing with—sometimes without even realizing it. These can sound like:

1. "I'm not good enough."
2. "I'll never get it right."
3. "God must be disappointed in me."
4. "I'll always be alone."

None of these reflects the heart of God. Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Any thought or belief that contradicts God's Word or character is a stronghold—and strongholds are meant to be torn down! Scripture is not just truth; it's truth that sets us free. So often, we're living bound because we don't know—or haven't embraced—the truth of God's Word.

Once you recognize those negative thoughts, it's time to respond. Ask yourself, "Is this true? Does this line up with Scripture?" If not, take that thought captive and replace it with what God says. 2 Corinthians 10:5 urges us to demolish arguments and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

When the enemy says, "You're unworthy," declare, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made," such as mentioned in Psalm 139:14. When shame whispers, "Look at what you've done," remember, "There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus." (See Romans 8:1 NLT). Taking your thoughts captive doesn't mean ignoring them—it means replacing them. Speak God's truth until it takes root and renews how you think, believe, and live.

Points to Ponder:

• Are you actively replacing lies with truth? Recognizing a lie is only the beginning. Renewing your mind requires intentionally replacing false beliefs with the truth of Scripture. This means speaking God's Word over yourself—even when your feelings don't yet match your faith.
• Do you treat your thought life as spiritual warfare? Your mind is a battlefield. Every unchallenged thought has the potential to grow into a belief that shapes your life. Are you using the spiritual weapons God has given you to fight back—prayer, Scripture, worship, and the armor of God?