"The word of God saved my mind," I once heard a Bible study teacher say. I've been thinking about this statement ever since. I firmly believe that there is a war going on in our minds every single day. The enemy is doing everything he can to gain control over our minds because if he can do that, he can keep us from living the full, abundant lives that God wants us to live. As this Bible study teacher astutely knew, one of the things that Scripture does is protect our minds when we meditate on it.
The apostle Paul understood the importance of protecting our minds. He wrote in Romans 12, "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect" (verse 2). Rather than living like the world, Paul taught readers in this verse to live differently than the rest of the world. Instead of becoming like the world, he reminds us that there is a much better way. We can be transformed by "changing the way [we] think." How do we do this? We meditate on Scripture. We spend a lot of time thinking and reflecting on Scripture. As this happens, God protects our minds through His Word.
As you think about your life, how are you protecting your mind in this spiritual battle taking place every single day? Are you spending your life meditating on Scripture, setting your mind on God and the things of Him? If not, there is no better time to start than right now
Start meditating on Scripture and protecting your mind by memorizing Romans 12:2. As you memorize, reflect on how you can let go of living for the world and being transformed by Christ instead. Be sure to thank God for the gift of His Word.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord.
Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
