I WANT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT, BUT I CAN'T

THE DICTATES OF THE FLESH

 “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (nature through my untransformed mind) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).  “... the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT). “…The sinful nature (flesh) wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the [Holy] Spirit wants. And the [Holy] Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature (flesh) desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

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The soul willfully chooses to follow either the flesh (outward dictates) or the Spirit (inward promptings). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve (the flesh or the Spirit).” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). An untransformed mind will direct and influence the soul to follow the dictates or demands of the flesh. “….you [will become] ... slaves of the one you obey (follow and cooperate with)…” (Romans 6:16 NIV).

 For example, if you have an unhealthy eating habit, the untransformed mind will dictate and influence you to eat unhealthily disregarding your personal desire to be healthy or your personal desire to stick to a new eating lifestyle.  “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (nature through my untransformed mind) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).  “... the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT). “…The sinful nature (flesh) wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the [Holy] Spirit wants. And the [Holy] Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature (flesh) desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

The bible urges, the redeemed, to be transformed by renewing their minds. “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind... [through the revelation knowledge of God, the Holy Spirit]...” (Romans 12:1 KJV).  “... Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT).

The REDEEMED soul NO LONGER has to follow the untransformed mind or engage in behaviors dictated by the flesh. “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).  Otherwise, “….you [will become] ... slaves of the one you obey (follow)…” (Romans 6:16 NIV).

“…The sinful nature is always hostile (antagonistic and unreceptive) to God . …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“..[The sinful nature]... never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“...those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“...[god’s redeemed people] ... are not controlled by ...[their]... sinful nature. [they]... are controlled by the Spirit if [they] have the Spirit of God living in [them] …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“… (Christ lives within the redeemed)... The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“… The [indwelling Holy] ... Spirit gives you (the REDEEMED, spiritual) life because [they] have been made right with God (reunited with God, the Holy Spirit). …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, [the redeemed has]... no obligation to do what [their]... sinful nature urges [them]... to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit (the indwelling Holy Spirit) you [choose to]... put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God (the indwelling Holy Spirit) are children of God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by (the untransformed mind which is influenced by) SIN? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “… The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (THE WORD & the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“… Jesus (the WORD of GOD) …came and SPAKE, unto them saying, “All POWER is given unto me (the word) IN heaven and earth…” (Matthew 28:18 KJV). “… Be transformed (HOW?) by the renewing of your mind (through the WORD)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “…If the Son (the word) therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed (without a doubt!!)…” (John 8:36 KJV).

The REDEEMED can FREELY choose to trust in and depend upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to STRENGTHEN them to engage in new behaviors that are empowered by their new heart and new Spirit. “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [YOUR HEART]…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…I  will put a new spirit...[AND HEART]... in you…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…The Lord (JESUS) is that [indwelling] ...Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

The flesh influences the untransformed mind to use the bodies of the redeemed to DICTATE unhealthy behaviors that are aimed at destroying them. On the other hand, the indwelling Holy Spirit wants to influence the redeemed, through his or her transformed mind, to RECEIVE healthy behaviors that aim at promoting their ultimate well-being.“…The sinful nature (flesh) wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the [Holy] Spirit wants. And the [Holy] Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature (flesh) desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

“... Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT).

The flesh that desires to do evil or the indwelling Spirit that desires to do righteous SUBMITS to the commands of the MIND. “…The sinful nature (flesh) wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the [Holy] Spirit wants ...These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions...” (Galatians 5 NLT).

 If the mind is NOT transformed the flesh (sinful nature) will CONTINUE to DICTATE behavior, which makes in it IMPOSSIBLE to overcome SIN. “... the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey  ... and it never will...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT). “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Apart from [the indwelling Holy Spirit]… [the redeemed can]... do nothing [they cannot be TRANSFORMED]…” (John 15:5 NIV).

We are told: “… [The body of the REDEEMED becomes]... the temple of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) which is in [them]…” (1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV). “ …The Spirit of God dwelleth in [the REDEEMED]…” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… All things are … [MADE] … NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).    

Yet the bible also says: “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (through the WORD)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).  How are NEW CREATIONS new and yet have the SAME MIND?

First God RESTORES the SOUL to spiritual LIFE. “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to (or restores) SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).  God is a “…restorer of thy life…” (Ruth 4:15 KJV). “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD (the WORD of God) is perfect, restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB). “….He (the WORD OF GOD) restoreth my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “…I (God, the holy spirit) will restore…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV).  “….Jesus Christ (the WORD of GOD) maketh thee WHOLE (AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “... and man (woman) became a living soul... [again] …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

Second, God SETS you FREE from the bondage of SIN.  “….Jesus Christ (the WORD of GOD) maketh thee WHOLE (AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “... and man (woman) became a living soul …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). “... [the redeemed have been] made free from sin….” (Romans 6:18 KJV). “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed” (John 8:36 KJV). “…Where the Spirit (indwelling Holy Spirit) of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom)...” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “ …The Spirit of God dwelleth in [the REDEEMED]…” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV).

Third, God has RESTORED spiritual LIFE, he has set the SOUL FREE from the bondage of SIN, and now the redeemed are in the position to FREELY and WILLFULLY choose to follow God or their flesh (sinful nature). “... [the redeemed have been] made free from sin….” (Romans 6:18 KJV). “... If the Son therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed...” (John 8:36 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve (the flesh or the Spirit).” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

“….you [will become] ... slaves of the one you obey (follow)…” (Romans 6:16 NIV). “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (nature through my untransformed mind) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).  “... the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT).

The sinful nature has been in control for a long time and it develops strongholds, such has habits, obsessions, addictions, and memories, to ensure its survival. These formations of behavior become automatic behaviors over long periods of time and usage. These automatic behaviors are often done, without total awareness one is doing them

The enemy uses and puts into your intimate and immediate environments, all kinds of triggers that continually condition sinful behavior. These triggers aid in the devil’s ability to dictate destructive behavior (classical conditioning).

The enemy uses and puts into place pleasurable reward systems, which involve the pleasure center of the brain and specific, sinful behavior. When the pleasure center of the brain and a specific sinful behavior are LINKED together they will continually encourage the practice of “that” behavior (operant conditioning).

The enemy uses and puts into place roles models and idols that will motivate and rally for your desire to duplicate or reproduce the same sinful behaviors as observed in others (observational conditioning).

All conditioning AFFECT the MIND and influence BEHAVIOR.

“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

Sinful behaviors are formations of behavior that have become the habitual way to live your life, especially over a long period of time. Some of these behaviors, particularly the ones that include the pleasure center of the brain, HARDEN or CEMENT, with an overload or lifetime of practice, making them extremely DIFFICULT to break or stop. “…Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil…” (Jeremiah 13:23 NIV). “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

Sinful behaviors are developed and practiced to the point they become automatic behaviors that are skillfully performed with little or no thought. Automatic behaviors can be done or performed without conscious knowledge, or fully thinking about them, or independent of the mind and the one doing it may not be able to explain HOW they did it. Automatic behaviors are so well practiced they are second nature to the ones performing them.

“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

“...letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT).

 “…The sinful nature (flesh) wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the [Holy] Spirit wants ...These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions...” (Galatians 5 NLT).

REVIEW: God has RESTORED your spiritual LIFE, he has FREED you from the bondage of SIN, but your MIND, which houses your human WILL must be RENEWED. “…[Now YOU]...Choose ...  this day whom ye will serve (the flesh or the Spirit).” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

 GOD is in control, but he is NOT controlling and will NEVER force you to choose him. He will gently, respectfully, and LOVING PLEAD with you to STAY and ABIDE with him, but it will ALWAYS come down to YOUR CHOICE “…Abide in Me, and I in you ... apart from Me (God, the indwelling Holy Spirit) you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB). “…Choose LIFE (God, the Holy Spirit) …” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). Jesus (the Word) saith “…I am THE LIFE…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…I (the Word) am come that THEY MIGHT have LIFE, and that THEY MIGHT have [LIFE] ... more abundantly…” (John 10:10 KJV).

“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

“... I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent...” (2 Corinthians 11:3 NLT).

God gave mankind a human will, although on a much, much smaller scale than his sovereign will. God “…does whatever pleases him…” (Psalms 115:3 NIV). “… [God]… does as he pleases… No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT). “… Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish…” (Isaiah 46: 9-10 NLT). He gave the man and woman a human will. “…Choose  …” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).

Jesus had human will and he used it to FOLLOW God’s will for his live. , Jesus humbly said, “… I lay down my life (by choice)... No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord (my own human will). I have authority (permission to choose) to lay it down and authority (permission to choose) to take it up again. This command (to CHOOSE) I received from my Father…” (John 10:17-18 KJV).

The serpent deceived EVE by cunning her through her MIND. “….God saw every thing he had made… [he said], it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV). However, “… One sinner destroy[ed]… much good...” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).  EVE MADE A CHOICE. “…The…Lord God asked [Eve]…“What have you done? …“ …” (Genesis 3 NLT She choose to follow the dictates of the flesh and it “…separated [them]… from [their]… God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…Through ...[Eve’s] ... sin[ful choice, sin]... entered into the world, and …passed to all men…” (Romans 5:12 KJV).

“... Eve was deceived (through her mind) by the cunning ways of the serpent...” (2 Corinthians 11:3 NLT).

The MIND houses the human WILL and the human WILL influences the CHOICE of behavior. The MIND which influences the CHOICE of behavior will either empower the flesh to ACT or the indwelling Holy Spirit to ACT. “...letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace...” (Romans 8:5-7 NLT).

The SINFUL NATURE works through the MIND to influence the choice of behavior or the INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT works through the MIND to influence the choice of behavior also. The MIND must be transformed in order for the indwelling Spirit to influence the choice of behavior.

“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

The devil wants to continue to DICTATE the choice of behavior the REDEEMED makes while the indwelling Holy Spirit wants to INSPIRE the redeemed to freely CHOOSE righteous behavior

The MIND is transformed by RENEWING it through the WORD of God.

“… His name (Jesus) is called The Word of God …” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB).

 “... [Jesus, the Word] ... opened their minds to understand the Scriptures...” (Luke 24:45 NLT).

“…All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works…” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV).

“... Let the Spirit (the Word, scriptures, etc.) renew your thoughts and attitudes...” (Ephesians 4:23 NLT).

“…THE WORDS (scripture) THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT …” (John 6:63 KJV).

All human behavior is decided and determined by the instructions of the MIND. The MIND is also LINKED with and influenced by the HEART. “... from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder...” (Mark 7:21 NLT).

The THOUGHTS in the mind come from the HEART and influences the choice of behavior.

VICTORY over the sinful nature, however, comes through the transformed mind that is RENEWED by the Word of God.

If the MIND is “not” transformed by renewal then the redeemed will NOT be enabled to put demands upon the sinful nature, they will not be empowered to produce spiritual fruit, or display God’s indwelling power.

The untransformed MIND will continue to influence and allow for sinful behavior.  Thus, the DICTATES of the flesh will continue to control the redeemed and they won’t be able to overcome “certain” sinful behaviors.

The enemy has developed automatic behaviors in the redeemed and he can “still,” independent of the mind, DICTATE sinful behaviors that have been deeply established from long-term practice.  

The way to break the bondage of automatic sinful behaviors, established from long-term practice, is to renew your mind. The mind is informed by all that’s in the heart, which includes evil thoughts. “… For out of the HEART come EVIL THOUGHTS—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander…” (Matthew 15:18-19 NIV). Therefore, the untransformed mind, before Christ, is basically an instrument of evil.

The bible says, “…as he [or she] thinketh in his [or her] heart, so is he [or she]…” (PROVERBS 23:7 KJV). What this verse is saying is that thoughts in the mind come from the heart to influence the choice of behavior.  Thus “…thinketh IN his (her) heart…” We’ve always understood that thoughts are associated with the mind, but fail to see they COME from the heart. The thoughts are IN the heart, FIRST. The HEART supplies the thoughts to the MIND. “…..out of the HEART come EVIL THOUGHTS—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander…” (Matthew 15:18-19 NIV). The thoughts, delivered to your mind, come FROM the heart.

The mind, after salvation in Christ, is to become an instrument of righteousness informed by the WORD of GOD, which is NOW planted in the heart like a seed.  “… … THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “… …The seed is the WORD OF GOD …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).

The thoughts, delivered to your mind, still come FROM the heart, but they are NOW informed by the Word.   God says, “…I WILL GIVE you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).  “…by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). “… [Therefore]… we all … are changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV).

 “…Create in me a clean heart, O God…” (Psalms 51:10 KJV). SO I CAN BE “…transformed by the renewing of [my] mind (and heart)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).  “… Apart from [Jesus, the Word, You]…can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

The purpose of transforming the mind is to RENEW it. The MIND is RENEWED through the cleansing Word of God. “…Christ ….loved the church, and GAVE himself for it; That he might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE it, with the washing of water by the word (of god)….” (Ephesians 5:25-25 KJV). “… The God of peace Himself SANCTIFY  (cleanse) you ENTIRELY…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “...God has chosen you from the beginning for SALVATION through SANCTIFICATION (cleansing power) by the Spirit and faith in the truth…” (2 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB “….ye are SANCTIFIED (cleaned) …in the name of the Lord Jesus (the Word), and by the SPIRIT of our GOD…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV).

“…..out of the HEART come EVIL THOUGHTS—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander…” (Matthew 15:18-19 NIV). “… … THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “… …The seed is the WORD OF GOD …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).

When the MIND is RENEWED the redeemed can say: “…..out of the HEART come ...[GOOD]...THOUGHTS—love, joy, peace, gentleness…” "....The....[indwelling]... Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [their] ...lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…God ...does the work IN AND THROUGH all of us who are his (the REDEEMED)… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

The renewed mind is revealed through the behaviors, of the redeemed, which will prove God’s will and what HE considers a good and acceptable lifestyle. The acceptable lifestyle is observable, Christ-like behaviors.  It is what makes, the redeemed, true Witnesses for God.

A heathen lifestyle will always, no matter how big or small, be in opposition to God’s will for your life. "…A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough…" (Galatians 5:9 NIV). A holy (set apart, especially from sinful practices) lifestyle is all that will be acceptable with God and no other. God does not endorse straddling the fence, where you are part-time heathen and part-time redeemed. "… You must purge the evil from among you…” (Deuteronomy 21:18-21 NIV). God is ONLY pleased when his people live holy lives and separate themselves from all forms or appearances of wickedness. “…Abstain from all APPEARANCE OF EVIL…” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV).

When the Word says, to his people, “BE NOT” conformed, to this world, it is not an option. “…Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “…And do not touch what is unclean…” (2 Corinthians 6:13-17 NASB).It literally means NOT to copy, in any form or fashion, the heathen lifestyle.

This includes habits, fashion patterns, behaviors, actions, practices, or speech. Whatever the current, wicked and idolatrous culture and age; do not conform to it. “…ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. …” (Leviticus 20:26 KJV).

God wants his people to be influenced and governed by the biblical lifestyle. He wants his people to pattern their lives after Jesus Christ and be conformed to HIS IMAGE. Many redeemed people think they are NOT conformed to the heathen lifestyle, but consciously or unconsciously they are privately indulging or engaging in many of its patterns and practices through automatic behaviors. “…thou hast gone a whoring after the heathen, and …art polluted with their idols…” (Ezekiel 23:30).

Most non-believers, especially from the 21^st century, find so-called followers of Christ to be hypocritical and are turned off from Christianity. Some redeemed people still cherish patterns of thinking and practices from the heathen lifestyle. “….These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me…” (Matthew 15:8 NLT).

God is “NOT” LOOKING at your behavior, because the problem is not the behavior, it is the HEART. “...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). God zooms in on the “…hidden man (woman) of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). God knows it is “…from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts… wickedness…All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV). The heart “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

Their mind is still devoted to some aspects of the heathen lifestyle and they either secretly or overtly follow carnal pleasures or practices through unrestrained, automatic behaviors. “.. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:16-17 NLT). A little sinful thinking is still some sinful thinking and some sinful thinking is too much.

The one solution to this problem is to transform the mind by renewing it in order to cultivate a spirit of holiness, in all behaviors, secret or public. The redeemed are to influence the heathen lifestyle; not the other way around. “…LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE before men, that they may see your good works…” (Matthew 5:16 KJV), “…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven…” (Matthew 5:16 KJV).

Out of a changed heart come GOOD and RIGHTEOUS thoughts, which is REVEALED through the redeemed’s affections, emotions, lifestyle patterns, and other Christ-like practices. “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). In reality the believer is a new creation. “…Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

Without renewing the mind the redeemed would be useless to the Christian mission and would most likely be full of hypocrisy. “….Apart from Me (the indwelling Holy Spirit and Word), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Matthew 23:27 KJV).

Being full of hypocrisy is the result of a continual conformity to the world, where the redeemed remains limited to external conduct, automatic behaviors and habits. They are NOT impacted by transformation that comes ONLY from REnewing the mind. “…thou …art polluted with their idols…” (Ezekiel 23:30).

Whatever is in your mind, comes from your heart and PROVES, to those witnessing your behavior, who and what you are truly patterning your lifestyle after. Devotional love to God will always lead to renewing you mind, because you personally desire to “keep” his commandments. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). 

An untransformed mind will continue to embrace the heathen patterns of thinking and will NOT allow for, the redeemed, to truly demonstrate the good, perfect, and acceptable will of God.“…A double minded man is unstable in all his ways…” (James 1:8 KJV).

The whole mind needs renewal, in order to serve the purpose of doing the will of God. It is the renewed mind that EMPOWERS, the redeemed. to display what the good, perfect, and acceptable will of God. ^“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).

It is the renewed mind, that comes from a clean heart, which enables, the redeemed, to do the will of God and PROVE it through righteous conduct. The renewed mind, that comes from a clean heart, seeks God’s guidance in all matters of life. The renewed mind, that comes from a clean heart, will commit all their actions to him. The renewed mind, that comes from a clean heart, desires to demonstrate God’s good, perfect, and acceptable and promote HIS honor and glory in the world. "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).

The effort that goes into renewing the mind is for the purposes of allowing God to remove and clean any leftover defects, dictates, and stains of sin from the former heathen lifestyle. “Create in me a clean heart, O God…” (Psalms 51:10 KJV). The heart “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

This effort, to transform the mind, is pleasing to God, because cleansing the heart also helps the redeemed to become more and more influenced by holiness. It also separates them from the practices of sin, which ultimately honors and glorifies God in the world. . "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV). Therefore, “…BE YE transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may PROVE what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God…” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

God’s goal is “…to make [the heart]… holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word” (Ephesians 5:26 KJV). “...God SEES NOT as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). Why? The heart “…is deceitful ABOVE all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

How is the heart cleaned? “You are “… [cleansed]… through [God’s]… truth: thy word is truth…” (JOHN 17:17 KJV). Therefore, “…Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (COLOSSIANS 3:16 KJV). You are cleansed through the indwelling power of Jesus, the Word of truth. When “…Christ [dwells] in your hearts by faith …” (Ephesians 3:17 KJV). Jesus becomes the cleansing Word.  

“…Christ ... [comes to dwell]…in your hearts by faith …” AFTERWARD Jesus “… [purifies your]… hearts by faith” (Acts 15:9 KJV).

To “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). AND “…conformed to the image of his Son;”  “... [Jesus]...Christ...[the Word must].... dwell in your hearts …” (ROMANS 8:29 & Ephesians 3:17 KJV). “… … THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “… …The seed is the WORD OF GOD …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).

God says, “…I WILL GIVE you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).  “…by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).

“… [Therefore]… we all … are changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV).

“… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).