Breaking Free
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)
Yesterday we talked about leaving our sin behind. About “repenting”, doing the right thing instead of the wrong thing over and over again. But the problem with that is that it ain’t easy. It just isn’t.
Speaking as a reformed smoker – a three packets a day man – I can tell you that bad habits are hard to break. Just like that nicotine addiction, we cling to them, even though we know that they’re killing us.
Be it dishonesty, sexual immorality, anger, jealousy, pride … I could keep going. Somehow, we just don’t want to let them go. We don’t seem to be able to let them go. It’s like being in a straitjacket that you can’t get out of. So what’s the answer? How do we break free from our bad habits?
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)
Turns out that God is in the transformation business – the original Greek word used there is metamorphoo, and Paul writes here that the way of laying hold of that deep, powerful metamorphosis is through the renewing of our mind – we might say “changing our mind” these days – so that through the tests and trials of life, we can lay hold of God’s good, acceptable and perfect will.
I don’t know about you, but here’s how it plays itself out in my life. As I receive God’s Word into my heart, it’s like a mirror to my soul. The Holy Spirit shines His light into the dark places and then, miraculously, events unfold that give me the opportunity to live out what He’s shown me.
Make no mistake. God is in the transformation business.
That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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Respond
Mark Lowson
Excellent.
Excellent.