Romans 12:2 refers to renewing the mind. This applies to every level you're walking at, whether talking about healing, sin or any area. If you will put this into effect, the Word of God promises you that your life will be changed. Ephesians chapter 4, verse 23 says, "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind." Many say the right things and believe this is having their mind renewed, but you have to go beyond renewing the mind to renewing the spirit of the mind. The spirit of the mind is referring more to the positive and negative aspects-for example, quoting the Word but expecting the worst.
When the Bible talks about flesh, it's usually not a physical body reference but about the mentality, the mindset and what you think on. Therefore, whenever Paul talks about the physical body, it is neither good nor bad. It's trained to be good or bad. Notice verse two: "And be not conformed to this world." The use of the word "conform" here means "Don't let the world squeeze you into its mold to where you look, talk and think like it. Let what's in you be seen on the outside." And the fact that he's saying this in verse two, after just telling you to present your bodies, shows that what's on the inside is going to affect your body - the physical body. And it's going to change you to the point where your bodies can become living sacrifices holy and acceptable.
You are transformed by the renewing of your mind. You're a new creation; old things have passed away; all things are become new. If you're born again, you are to put your mind in subjection to your spirit. Your spirit only conflicts with the part of the soul that is unrenewed. When you renew your mind to the Word of God, your mind and your spirit are no longer in conflict (at least the part that's renewed), and they work in harmony together.
When you get your body and soul working in conjunction with your newly created spirit, your mind is being renewed and your body is being retrained. Once you do that, to whatever degree you're doing that, Christ is seen in you, and to that degree you are transformed completely so that people in the world around you can see Christ through you. This is the only way to be transformed. You will live a defeated life to the degree that your mind is unrenewed - simple as that!
The first prerequisite is that you have to hear pure Word, because if you're hearing 10 percent Word and 90 percent man's traditions, then you're not renewing your mind to the Word of God; you're renewing your mind mostly to man's traditions. Jesus said, "Take heed to what you hear." When you renew your mind, you're going to be transformed, and by doing that, you will be able to prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. He has one will, and it is good; it is acceptable - it is perfect. You can find it in the Word, and acting on it WILL turn your life around!
Balliet is the eastern regional director of John G. Lake Ministries in Williamsport.
