Non-Christians often think about fulfilling their fleshly desires. Ephesians 2:3 “Among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” We all once had our minds on our fleshly desires and as a result we were destined for the wrath of God. The apostle Paul describes those who had debased minds which yield works of the flesh and deserve the punishment of God. Romans 1:28-31 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful.” The apostle Paul also describes it as having set their mind on earthly things. Philippians 3:18-19 “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame — who set their mind on earthly things.” That is the way of the world – having one’s mind on things such as having more money and possessions, about fleshly pleasures, about entertainment, about taking revenge, and about being better or more important than others.
There must be a transformation of our minds. The apostle Paul also described it as a renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” When our minds are renewed or changed, a transformation occurs in us. The key is the thinking of our minds; we must change our thinking. We can no longer have worthless thinking that is centered on our fleshly desires. Such thinking does not please our God who has saved us. Ephesians 4:17-24 “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Here again, the transformation is described as being renewed in the spirit of your mind; that change in your mind will lead to righteousness and holiness.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, we determine to set our minds on things above. Colossians 3:1-2 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” I have already described above what it means to set one’s mind on things of the earth. Setting your mind on things above might be to think about God and His nature and His laws and His principles and His grace and what pleases Him and upon the heavenly home and the crown of life that is promised to those that love Him.
Another way of describing the difference been people of the world and Christians is that people of the world are carnally minded whereas Christians are to be spiritually minded. Romans 8:5-7 “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. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” Those with a carnal mind are enemies of God and the end result is spiritual death. We are to set our mind on the things of the Spirit. To be spiritually minded results in life and peace with God.
To change from being carnally minded to being spiritually minded is a transformation by the renewing of your mind. It requires repentance. The word repentance by definition means to change one’s mind or purpose. And that is what we must do – repent and change our minds and our thinking from satisfying our fleshly nature to seeking the things of the Spirit. Jesus came preaching repentance. Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” The Jews on the day of Pentecost were told to repent. Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Repentance or the changing of our minds is essential to being a Christian.
But after we are Christians, sometimes our minds are on the wrong things; our words and our actions are not right. Then again, we need to repent. Simon the Sorcerer heard the gospel, believed and was baptized. Acts 8:18-23 “And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.’” Just like Simon, there may be times when our thinking is wrong and we need to repent; we need to change our thinking which will result in a change of action.
My encouragement to you is that you follow the path of repentance and be transformed by the renewing of your mind.