Overturn Every Reasoning That Is Against the Knowledge of God! - "MAKING YOUR MIND OVER'

Think back to the changes you needed to make when you first accepted the truth of God's Word and decided to serve Jehovah.  For many of us, this involved giving up some form of wrong conduct.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)  How grateful we are for Jehovah's help in overcoming such sinful practices!

However, we must never become complacent.  Even though we stopped committing serious sins that we engaged in before baptism, we still need to be  diligent about avoiding anything that would tempt us to return to those former deeds.  How can we do that?  Paul answers:  "Stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over." (Romans 12:2)   So a twofold action is required.  First, we need to "stop being molded," or shaped by this world. Second we need to "be transformed" by making our mind over.

Transformed or Disguised?

The Greek word translated "transformed" at Romans 12:2 indicates a change in form or composition like the change of a caterpillar into butterfly.  To be transformed means to change what we are inside-our character, our nature, by contrast, the Greek word translated "disguising"at (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) refers to a change that is outward only, a superficial change in appearance. 

The transformation Paul had in mind involves more than a superficial change in appearance. It touches ever fiber of our being.  We need to make our mind-our innermost attitudes, feelings, and inclinations. So all of us need to ask ourselves, 'Are  the changes I am making to become a Christian only skin-deep, or am I truly becoming a Christian deep within?  The difference is important, in his words recorded at Matthew 12:43-45, Jesus indicated what needs to be done. (Read.)  The idea behind those words highlights this important truth. It is not enough to get rid of wrong thoughts; we need to fill the void with godly thinking.

Next time:  Overturn Every Reasoning That Is Against the Knowledge of God - "BE MADE NEW IN YOUR DOMINANT MENTAL ATTITUDE"

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