From the Inside Out

What would it be like if our thoughts were not our own? What if everything that went through our minds—the good, the bad, and the ugly—was broadcast for all those around us to hear?

How would we feel? Would we feel comfortable, perhaps indifferent? Or would we feel embarrassment or shame?

A television advertisement shows pedestrians walking down a busy city street, bashing into one another, shaking their fists, and shouting what I can only imagine are obscenities. A voiceover then states, “You wouldn’t behave this way on foot, so why would you when you are driving?”

Watching it, I was struck at how we find it acceptable, behind the safety of a car’s frame and windows, to behave in a less-than-civil manner. Similarly, in our humanness we are quite happy to entertain thoughts and cultivate attitudes that are less than godly, as long as they’re kept hidden safely in the confines of our minds.

But as Christians, we are instructed to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The New Living Translation simply says, “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.”

We are called to be totally transformed from the inside out. By God’s grace, we don’t have to achieve this by our own efforts. “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes” (Ephesians 4:23, NLT).

It’s been said that thoughts turn to words, words turn to actions, actions turn to habits, and habits turn to character. Let’s commit to the renewing of our minds so that we can be more like Christ, do more like Christ, and lead more to Christ.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. — Romans 12:2, NIV

Prayer: Father, forgive us when we allow the things of the world to consume our minds. By Your Holy Spirit, renew our minds so that we honor You in our thoughts, words, and actions, so that others see the love of Christ displayed in our lives. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hannah Simpson works in the Operations department of our U.K. office.

Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.