Barb Raveling

Tips, Tools, & Bible Studies to Renew Your Mind

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How To Renew Your Mind

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IMG_1982If someone told you to have a quiet time, you’d know what to do: read your Bible and pray.

But what if they told you to renew your mind? Would you know what they wanted? Probably not.

The renewing of the mind doesn’t have a clear protocol like a quiet time has. Maybe because it’s so messy. 

 

The Renewing of the Mind

With a quiet time, you know you’ve done it when you’ve “read your Bible and prayed.” With the renewing of the mind, you know you’ve done it when you’re seeing life–and more specifically, your current situation–from a biblical perspective.

It might take a simple prayer to get to that point, a long truth journaling session, a sermon, a Bible passage, a chart, a visit with a wise friend, a five minute run-through of some questions, or a one day retreat with God.

In order to be a true renewing of the mind experience, our thinking needs to be transformed. And in order for our thinking to be transformed, our minds need to be actively engaged.

Listening to a sermon while planning our goals for the week isn’t going to cut it. Neither is having a quiet time just so we can check it off our list for the day.

We've all heard that phrase, "Renew Your Mind," but what does it mean? In this post you'll learn how to renew your mind on a practical, day-to-day basis.

A Taking Off. A Putting On.

The renewing of the mind always involves a taking off and a putting on (Ephesians 4:22-24, Romans 12:2).

We’re taking off that old self and putting on the new self. Taking off the lies and putting on the truth. Taking off a cultural perspective and putting on a biblical perspective. Taking off what we learned growing up and putting on what we learned in the Bible.

So we’re not just reading the Bible–we’re taking everything we’ve learned in the Bible, talking it all over with God, and actively trying to look at life through His eyes.

You can’t do that without the Word. You can’t do it without a willingness–and a desire–to change. And you can’t do it without prayer.

A Relationship

In a sense, the Holy Spirit is acting as our counselor, peeling away the lies, so we can see what life is really like and how we should respond to it.

When I renew my mind, I usually start out frazzled and unhappy, thinking certain things have to happen in order for me to be happy. I usually end up peaceful and content, willing to live any sort of life for God–not always, but more often than not.

God has used this discipline in my own life and the lives of countless others to help them break free from bad habits, sins, and idolatry and to help them grow closer to Him. I’m excited to talk about it in future posts.

How to Renew Your Mind: More Help!

Renewing of the Mind Project5/7/15 Update: If you’d like more info on how to renew your mind, I’ve recently published a book on the subject called The Renewing of the Mind Project.

It includes lots of examples and ideas for how to renew your mind, plus over 250 Bible verses you can use to renew your mind while working on breaking habits, letting go of your negative emotions, and pursuing goals.

It also includes 48 sets of questions you can use to have conversations with God about your habits, emotions, and goals. For a sample of the questions and Bible verses, click on this link: How to Stop Being Annoyed.

For more posts on different ways to renew your mind click here.

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Comments

  1. …Yeah… It was that good. You with the guiding of our Holy Spirit had me from the first sentence… The line is so fine… Excellent teaching and pursuing of our hearts. It really does start off pretty ugly… before the renewing of our minds becomes His beauty… Powerful post… Whew…

    • Thanks, Floyd, your comment is really encouraging. It’s not uncommon for me to teach a six week class on the renewing of the mind in the context of weight loss or dealing with trials or breaking free from negative emotions, and at the end of the class have someone ask me, “What do you mean by the renewing of the mind?” This post was my attempt to answer that question since I never know how to answer it in real life.

  3. I like this idea “actively trying to look at life through His eyes.” I believe that renewing the mind and “repentance” are very closely related. I also like how Martin Luther said in the 1st of his 95 thesis,
    “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, “Repent” (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.”

    • I agree that renewing the mind and repentance are closely related. Often that’s when I discover my sin, and I often stop halfway through to repent.

  4. Renewing my mind has been a process of small steps done gradually over time that add up to make a big difference. But, it is also sometimes a deliberate process that needs done in the middle of an “off” day like today. Your three elements – God’s Word, a willingness to change, and prayer – are definitely the key elements for mind renewal both long term and as a shot in the arm. This process of sanctification comes through mind renewal. Great thoughts.

    • Yes – that’s exactly what it’s been like for me, Kari – small steps that make a big difference over time. The key is to stay disciplined in the beginning when we don’t see as much progress. Although I have to say, the potential for emotional freedom and closeness to God that comes right away with the renewing of the mind is worth it from the beginning.

  5. I can no longer live without renewing my mind if I am serious about following Jesus, I must do this daily, hourly, minute by minute…… However often I see my thinking is not what God is asking.
    Before renewing my mind I was quick to complain, quick to anger, quick to carry these burdens as dead weight and worry.
    Our family has had some really unfair things happen this past year, by people that we cannot seem to get through to. I have learned by renewing my mind that it’s not always my job to “do something” to make it right. Years ago I would have tried to move on and move far away, harboring ill feelings, but sometimes God has you where you are for a season. For a reason. He doesn’t ask us to flee! :o) I was just telling my mom (who became a Christian late in life but works very hard at it!) that a year ago I was shocked that I could continue to love and pray for people who had so unfairly attacked and hurt us. Then this summer I was shocked that I was not able to harbor anger towards people who have been critical of us for 26 years. (our group home gals family) I had learned over the years to forgive them, but was always on edge anticipating their next attack. Now I’m happily surprised that I can consistently remain calm and rational with them and verbally speak to them with kind and loving words! I can pray for them and continue to look at them objectlively. Altho I have no human understanding of how I am doing this! LOL!! I wish I could say they respond kindly, they don’t, but I no longer care how they respond- I care how I respond. I am excited for God to explain this all when I see Him!
    Without being faithful to renewing my mind, I would be in incredible emotional turmoil right now! God is good!

    • Praise God for your growth, Elizabeth! God is so faithful to move us beyond ourselves.
      Enjoyed reading about the wonderful things God is doing in your life. Keep shining! People see even if they don’t like the light in you.
      Matt 5:16

    • As I was reading your comment, Elizabeth, I was thinking of that Bible verse – from out of the heart flows your actions – or something like that (Just found it – Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.) It’s so great that you’re working on your heart.

      I like how you put it, “carrying these burdens as dead weight and sin.” That’s exactly what it feels like. Emotional turmoil is a burden. God’s burden really is light in more ways than one – but one of them is the fruit of the spirit – freedom from all that emotional turmoil. Of course we have to give up that “have to have life go a certain way” mindset to get the fruit – but it’s worth it. After all, what could be better than peace and joy?

      Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth.

  6. Well said!

    Renewing our minds takes action and dedication. It isn’t just a checking off a box on our to-do lists (sadly people even view church as a to-do list, but that’s a different post)

    Just recently I got super busy and my quiet time went to the wayside. It wasn’t too long before old thought patterns emerged- worry.

    Once I recognized the symptom, I knew what to do- renew my mind!

    It was wonderful to spend time with God. To take my worries to Him and find peace in the truth only He can provide.

    Renewing our minds takes discipline but if more Christians would do it, I think we’d begin seeing a real change in our churches.

    Look forward to future posts!

  7. Important truth Barb. I’m finding that God is adding new insight to this for me personally. Ways that He reminds me that He’s taking care of things and I can simply trust Him.

    Rev and I experienced a something very painful several years ago. Although forgiveness happened quickly healing happened slowly. It is only by grace and the constant “taking off” and “putting on” that has finally made it complete.

    I love your suggestions for renewal. I’ve used several of them. Thanks and many blessings!

    • I love what you said, Deb – He’s taking care of things and I can simply trust Him. That was good for me to here today. Glad some of the suggestions have helped. I’ve experienced the same thing as you – healing often takes a long time and the constant renewing of the mind is necessary. Even with forgiveness, I think we sometimes have to forgive over and over again – in the old days I could almost have to forgive 70 X 7 just for one thing!

  9. Enjoyed the post. Renewing of the mind should be a continual and consistent process. We renew our minds to hear God’s directions. Just like a cars oil needs to be change for continual renewal of the engine. We need the same in our lives. If we don’t change the oil in our cars consistently, sludge will build up and the engine does not run well. We don’t experience life to the fullest if our minds are not constantly and consistently renewed. Renew your mind and God’s insight and instruction will follow. Be blessed.

    • Loved the engine example, Bernard, and an interesting thought on hearing God’s directions. I think it’s much easier to make a decision when I’m making it from a “life is all about God” mindset – sometimes it takes awhile to get that mindset.

  10. Thanks for this post. One of the ways I get my mind renewed is through my mentor who is also my pastor and friend. He has been given my permission to remind me when my mind is in need of renewal. One of his favorite ways of doing this is asking “Hey man, what’s the lie you’re believing?” and then “Now, what’s the truth?” It’s his way of asking, “what does God say about that situation or thought?”.

    • Wow, what a great accountability relationship. I love the question he asks you – and I love that you ask him to ask you. I also have a wise friend who helps me stay on track. It’s great.

  11. I once took a Biblical counseling course, where Jesus was invited into the hurts of the past, and the person was asked to identify the lie they believed when the hurt occurred. Usually the lie was It was your fault, or you are bad or this wouldn’t have happened, anyone relate? Then what is Jesus saying about this? To each person Jesus will relate differently, but when Truth is revealed and replaces the lie the person is restored. I like your thoughts on renewing the mind. Our thought life is so important for a healthy outlook.

    • That sounds like an interesting course, Hazel. I’ve actually gone back and truth journaled some old memories, looking at them through eyes of truth – it was pretty powerful. I’m going to my first Biblical counseling course this coming week for three days – looking forward to it!

  12. Barb, thank you for taking time to explain and break it down for us.

    I love love what you’ve said here “we’re taking everything we’ve learned in the Bible, talking it all over with God, and actively trying to look at life through His eyes.” That’s powerful. I really like the part of ‘talking it all over with God’. It reminds me that it’s an active engaging process, that’s filled with deep wrestling and change. It’s not passive or zoned-out. Looking forward to future posts on this.

    • Yes, for me it’s one of the deepest ways I can know God, and necessary for getting rid of the crud in my life that keeps me from feeling close to God as well.

  13. Hi Barb. Great post. I am grateful for Rick and his Saturday Shortcuts so I can learn about your blog. I’ve just been reading about the putting off/putting on principle. God is obviously trying to show me something. Thanks for going beyond the fluff to right to the heart of the matter!

  14. I love the way you’ve broken it down here. It really does boil down to taking off and putting on – that’s such a simple yet accurate way of stating it.

  16. For me, sometimes this process is quick and almost instantaneous. Other times it’s a long struggle. Sometimes it’s something I have to constantly do like taking a vitamin every day.
    But recently I’ve been reminded that the truth will ALWAYS win if I am doing my part. The truth, his truth, is powerful.

    • Amen! I can’t believe how powerful truth is. I just need to be diligent to be in the Word, use truth as a spiritual weapon, and soak in the beauty and power of His Word.

  17. Renewing my mind has been the ‘game changer’ for me in my relationship with food and overcoming the control of food. Praise God! And I know renewing my mind has helped in other areas of my life as well, even before I realized I was renewing my mind. We do our part and the Lord does His!

  18. Do you have discipleship or counseling on this. I struggle with it. The idolatry to the smartphone. Needing help to break. I got told all I need is God.

    • Hi Alice! I do have a new book out called the Renewing of the Mind Project that tells a lot about how to renew your mind – it also tells how to do it if you want to break a habit like a smart phone habit. I have some posts on the subject as well if you look under the Breaking a Habit tab at the top of my blog or the Renewing of the Mind Project Tab.

      If you get the book and want to start working on a renewing of the mind project, I’ve been offering a free one hour coaching session to anyone who wants help with their project and is willing to consider having the coaching session be a podcast episode (I don’t put them all on the podcast and never without permission so you always have the right to change your mind). I don’t have enough time for ongoing coaching sessions at this time.

      I would start by looking at the other resources on my blog and then email me if you decide to do a project and want a one hour coaching session for help with it. Here’s the link to the book: http://www.amazon.com/Renewing-Mind-Project-Habits-Emotions/dp/0980224357/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431043762&sr=8-1&keywords=the+renewing+of+the+mind+project