By Dr. Karen D. Taylor
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” – Romans 12:2b.
The twelfth chapter of Romans opens by commanding all believers to present themselves to God as a living sacrifice, on His terms of holiness that He accepts. This statement alone implies that God doesn’t just accept everybody’s presentation of himself or herself to Him, but that He is particular and never desperate. His reason for this strict code of lifestyle is because He desires to use one’s life as a demonstration to the world and prove what is His perfect (whole) good and acceptable Will for all mankind. The “Will” of God is for all men to experience salvation of the soul. Salvation of the soul goes further than most have been led to believe. For salvation of the soul really entails the ability to monitor and control every thought within your mind, i.e., soul. God further commands us to NOT be conformed (shaped, molded or influenced) in, by or to this world, or the systems and wicked ways that carnal minded believers and sinners, orchestrate and live their lives.
The MIND has to be renewed on a constant basis. Why? Because our minds, i.e., souls are constantly being bombarded by the suggestions in the form of thoughts from satan. Satan is a liar and deceiver whose assignment is to intentionally deceive you and I as he wrestles or “sways” us away from faith in God’s promises.
Who is responsible for renewing it and how does it get renewed? You are personally responsible for the renewing and keeping of your own mind, i.e., thoughts, emotions and decision-making privileges through the power of God. You are commanded to capture and analyze each and every thought. Do not allow one thought to go unanalyzed or unexamined within your mind. This is a 7/24 project. You can do it! God has empowered you with the ability to do this, remember you are a soldier in His Army. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 we find these words: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; (fortress or prison like environments), Casting down imaginations,(rational and irrational thoughts) and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; EVERY THOUGHT MUST BE CAUGHT AND ANALYZED to determine who said it, what was said and why. Practice makes perfect! The more you exercise this lazy “muscle” in your mind the more tone and strength it will regain. Before you know it, you will once again own the mastery of your soul and only think on whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, just like Phillipians 4: 8 instructs us.
Jesus Christ commanded you to capture every thought, bring it (thought) into captivity or quarantine it off from your emotions, i.e., feelings so that it doesn’t affect or forge your decisions. Better yet forbid it to cycle back into your thoughts or lay around in your mind. This process must happens immediately. You must stay alert, vigilant (watchful) in your thinking because of the low life spirit of the adversary who seeking whom he may devour. The enemy only devours the ones who have let their guard down and allow his thoughts to be placed on and in their minds. Everyday you must do what I Peter 5:8 instructs you: Be sober, (forbid your mind from becoming drunken with the cares of this life) be vigilant (alert, sharp); because your adversary (the opponent, the antagonist of your souls) the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: He will devour your peace of mind by instigating thoughts in a form of suggestions which produce a spirit of worry and anxieties about life, finances, situations that either have happen, will happen or could happen.
You must TAKE A STAND and FORBID this enemy of your soul from terrorizing you another second, minute, hour of the day! The “AlQaeda” of your spirit is satan and his demons. Remove all “sleeping cells” which are areas of weaknesses through associations with carnal music, filthy TV programs, literature or worldly friendships which empower the enemy who wars against your soul. The renewing process is easy. Start today, memorizing the Word of God, hide it in your heart (your spirit) the real inner man. Your conscience, which is a faculty that helps you discern right from wrong with the ability to act accordingly must be bathe in God’s Word until your communion with God in prayer is saturated in peace as you pray in faith.
You have been authorized by the Holy Spirit to bind or loose the “works” of the wicked one. The “works” are the anxiety, confusion, doubt, which produces depression, oppression and ultimately spiritual death. You are not permitted to think, ponder or accept anything that comes from satan and his demons for they against the fruit of the spirit within your spirit. You can always know when you’ve heard him because you immediately feel a sense of unrest, coupled with fear and disbelief in God or His promises of provision and protection.
Within this code of ethics if applied correctly and implemented within your life daily our Heavenly Father will use you in ministry. This ministry is not based on your “talents” or “giftings” as some would have you to believe but solely on the grounds of salvation and the obedience that you have toward Him. He will use you in ministry on your everyday jobs which is the “field” and bring in the harvest which are the souls of men who are imprisoned by God’s enemy, satan. This is the good, perfect and acceptable WILL of God.
A transformed mind looks totally different at tests, trials and tribulations that are assigned to them for the perfecting of their faith. A transformed mind realizes that their faith MUST be put on trial for its very life through life’s circumstances without them bulking under the pressure of the test. They know that Jehovah would never put more on them than they are able to bear and that as long as they have HIM they have “THE WAY” of escape. They know, have an intimate connection g not just quote the scripture but know they can do ALL and ANY thing through the Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. A believer whose mind is under the transforming power of God’s word will be able to “count” everything as joy or a means to gaining strength whenever they are faced with a difficult moment. As a renewed mind, their thinking process differs like night and day in comparison to the way of sinners and carnal Christians think, live and move in this earth. Carnal Christians struggle daily to trust God.
A TRANSFORMER, a real believer of God’s Word mind is stayed on Him and thus kept in perfect peace. Their life and thoughts are no longer subjected to confusion and chaos that come from poor visualization while listening to the liar, the devil. They are macho in their spirit, strong and fearless. They have the “eye of an eagle” and with great wings they soar high above the storms of life. They are the “eagles” of glory! Are You a Transformer?
I salute the fallen and those that have been left standing. I thank God for our bravest Police men and women, firemen, men and women who go in harm’s way and defend this nation. Many gave their today for others to see their tomorrow. God bless us all.
Dr. Karen D. Taylor is a published author of two books and the CEO of Karen D. Taylor Ministries International.
