What does it mean for the Christian to be transformed by the renewing of the mind?

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2). Being transformed by the renewing of our mind means that when we conform our minds to God's thinking, 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 change 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, as the fruit of the Spirit is evidenced in our practical walk with God and with others (Galatians 5:22,23).

It is interesting to notice that the Greek word for transformed is metamorphoo from which we get our word metamorphosis. When we look at a beautiful butterfly it is hard to believe that it was once a worm-like 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).