Pearls Of Wisdom By Angelique Du ToitSample

Renewed Thinking

The apostle Paul exhorts us to put off our old self and to be renewed in the knowledge of our God. Paul was a man who underwent an extraordinary transformation: from an extremist religious murderer to a man of love. He spread joy and brought about a reconciliation between different groups, cultures and religions. 

If God could save Paul, change him and send him out into the world to preach the gospel, then He can do it with anyone. 

The renewal of our minds is a long-term commitment and takes ongoing desire and determination. Your mind is powerful and it has had its own way for a long time. Reshaping, reforming and renewing your thinking is going to take some effort. 

It is true that as a person thinks in their heart, so are they (see Proverbs 23:7). You need to reflect the Owner of your new identity, who is Jesus Himself. This mirroring of your Redeemer is not an overnight makeover. His representation comes from living a higher life—not as people of the world know the high life of glitter and glam, but one that genuinely reflects a glory that is not of this earth.

Your mind dictates to your heart, your body and your daily life. Do you know you can literally think yourself into paralyzing fear, a state of inertia, immobility and a sense of hopelessness? 

Jesus desires for us to be anxious for nothing, to live in perfect peace and confidence. We have been warned that troubles will come, that there will trials of many kinds, but we have to choose His peace. We must deliberately choose how we think. 

Prayer

Enlarge my capacity to receive this measure of Your life, Lord, not as the world knows the high life, but the higher life in Christ. Amen.