For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5 (NKJV)
Believers sometimes make the mistake of teaching new Christians that life is going to be easy and God is going to look after everything now that they’re following Jesus. The problem is, when trouble hits, these new believers easily fall back into the same things that controlled them in the past.
Now, it’s true that God has promised us blessing, protection and an abundant life. But the promises aren’t the whole picture. There’s another part of the process that is our responsibility—renewing our minds.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV) tells us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. What does a conformed person look like? Let me give you a quick picture.
Someone who is still conformed lacks Bible knowledge (Hosea 4:6). They are double-minded (James 1:8) and controlled by the desires of their flesh (Romans 8:5). They don’t discipline themselves to get into the Word or plug into church. They allow things like fear, anger, bitterness or gossip to consume them (Ephesians 4:31-32). Worst of all, they refuse to change, always defending their behaviour and making excuses for themselves (Proverbs 9:7-9).
A Christian who lives this way may be going to Heaven, but they’ll experience hell on Earth in the meantime.
If we want to live the incredible life God has for us, there is a process of transformation that every born-again believer needs to walk out. As you do, Holy Spirit is empowering you to change your thinking, beliefs and behaviours!