QUESTION: What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of our minds? See Romans 12:2.

ANSWER: It means that there will be a complete change in our lives which will be noticed by the way we talk and the way we act.

In order for this to take place our minds must be renewed because the Bible tells us, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). Our thought life really controls our actions. Therefore our thinking and spiritual vision must be adjusted to God's thoughts and mind.

This renewal of our minds is accomplished in us by the Holy Spirit as we read and meditate upon God's Word, the Bible. This is why it is so important for the Christian to have a daily quiet time where God can speak to him through the Word and where he can speak to God through prayer.

When this is done we will soon discover that our thought life is being gradually changed to reflect God's thoughts as recorded in the Bible. Unconsciously our lives will show this transformation. The fruit of the Spirit will be evidenced in our practical walk with God and with others (Galatians 5:22).

It is interesting to notice that the Greek word for transformed is metamorpho from which we get our word metamorphosis. When we look at a beautiful butterfly it is hard to believe that it was once a wormlike creature called a caterpillar. There has been a metamorphosis—a transformation!

So it should be with the one who has trusted Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. There should be a complete change from the past sinful life to a life where the beauty of the Lord is upon him (Psalm 90:17).

—John D. McNeil