"I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].."
Further reading and
Frequently Asked Questions
Nobility 101 (Identity in Christ)
Session 5
Session 5 continues the discussion on the many ways we hear from and are guided by God. The session then begins an explaination of how the word of God acts as a 'spiritual mirror' and the ony means of discernig who and how we are in the spirit. It concludes with the essential topic of how to renew the mind and why this is absoloutely vital to walking in the reality of the new life.
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FAQ'S
The Renewed Mind
Life in the Spirit (Part 2)
1. How is the Word of God like a mirror, and what does it reveal about us?
The Word of God functions as a spiritual mirror, a perfect reflection of the mind of Christ. (James 1:22-25) Just as a physical mirror shows us our outward appearance, the spiritual mirror of God's Word reveals our true spiritual identity in Christ. When we look into it, we see Jesus, and because "as He is, so are we in this life," (1 John 4:17) we are actually seeing a reflection of who we are in Him: righteous, holy, unable to sin, possessing the faith of Christ, the mind of Christ, the Life of Christ, the peace of Christ, the authority and power of Christ, and able to do all things through Him. It tells us we are set free, healed, delivered, forgiven, complete, peaceful, patient, prosperous, loving, kind, restored and whole.
2. Why is it crucial not to be just a "hearer" but also a "doer" of the Word?
Being only a hearer of the Word and not a doer is like looking in a mirror and immediately forgetting what you look like. If we merely read or hear God's Word without internalising and acting upon it, it is like forgetting our true spiritual identity. Forgetting who we are in Christ leads us to passively accept negative circumstances or speak contrary to what and who the Word says we are (for example; saying "I'm poor" after the “spiritual mirror” says we are prosperous, and that God will supply ALL our needs (Phillippeans 4;19) or saying "I'm sick" when the word clearly says that we were and are healed) (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). To truly benefit and walk in the confidence of our spiritual identity, we must be doers of the word, actively and practically applying what it reveals in our daily lives.
3. How does our confidence in our spiritual identity impact our daily lives?
Understanding and trusting the reflection we see in the spiritual mirror (God's Word) gives us immense confidence. (1 John 3:21-22) Just as we trust our physical reflection to confidently go about our day, trusting the Word's declaration of who we are in the spirit empowers us to walk in truth of who we are in Christ. When physical challenges arise (like pain or sickness), knowing what the "mirror" says about our healed and whole state allows us to rebuke the attack of sickness, enforce our health and disallow anything / everything contrary. (Luke 10:19: Matthew 16:19) This confidence enables us to declare God's promises with conviction, transforming our outward reality so that it aligns with the truth of our spiritual reality rather than the outward circumstances.
4. What is the single most important reason we might not receive what we declare according to God's Word?
The only scriptural reason for not receiving what we declare is unbelief. (Matthew 17:19-20) God's Word is settled and sure (Psalm 119:89) and once spoken cannot return back to Him without accomplishing what it was sent out to do.(Isaiah 55:11) If we declare something based on the truth of His Word and it doesn't manifest, the issue lies on our side and not with God, specifically with the lack of steadfast belief in our hearts. While issues like being out of line with God's will, double-mindedness or condemnation can hinder reception, they ultimately all stem from some form of unbelief, preventing us from having the confidence required to receive. (James 1:6-8; 1 Timothy 1:19)
5. How does unbelief manifest, and what are its remedies?
Unbelief can manifest as doubt or double-mindedness and allowing negative thoughts to linger. It's often linked to strongholds—deep-seated wrong belief systems—that prevent us from fully accepting the truth about who we are in Christ and what we already possess. The remedy involves continually renewing our minds to the truth of God's Word. This is an active process of replacing old, contrary beliefs with the truth of the Word of God, meditating on the Word daily, whilst consistently putting it into practice. (Joshua 1:8; Proverbs 4: 20-22) Through this, our belief in the truth will grow from strength to strength and our expectation of the manifestation of God's promises strengthen. (2 Corinthians 3:18 AMPC; Colossians 2:6-10 AMPC)
6. What does it mean to seek God with "wholeness of heart," and why is it essential?
Seeking God with "wholeness of heart" means dedicating everything within us—with all our soul, strength and might (Mark 12:30)… submitting all our members and faculties to Him. (Romans 12:1)It implies an undivided commitment, where we love God above all else, including self, comfort, or worldly desires. (Luke 14:26,33) This complete devotion is essential because many of God's promises, such as "you will find me if you seek for me with all your heart," are conditional on this wholeness.(Jeremiah 29:13) Being double-minded, trying to serve two masters (God and anything else) (Matthew 6:24), prevents us from receiving from God as this dilutes our commitment, undermines our faith and causes our own hearts to condemn us, hence destroying our confidence towards Him (James 1:6-8)
7. How does "peace" serve as a vital guide and protector in our spiritual walk?
Peace, is a fruit and gift of the Spirit and acts as an umpire and a guard to the heart. As umpire (Colossians 3:15 AMPC), peace continually decides and settles questions in our minds, indicating whether we are moving in the right direction or off track. When we have peace, we know we are aligned with God's will.
As a guard (Philippians 4:7), peace protects our hearts and minds, acting like a strong, impenetrable guardian against any and all of the enemy's attacks. The enemy's first tactic is to attack or disturb our peace knowing that he cannot succeed in destroying or stealing anything from us until the impenetrable guardian of our peace is removed. Maintaining peace is crucial for hearing God's guidance and staying protected.
8. What does "renewing your mind" entail, and why is it foundational to our Christian life?
Renewing the mind means transforming our inner thought patterns, attitudes, and belief systems to align with God's Word, rather than remaining conformed to the world's superficial customs and mindsets. It is removing wrong teachings and strongholds and replacing them with the truth of who we are in Christ. This transformation is not a passive event but requires consistent, daily meditation on the truth of God’s Word so that we can do what it says. (Colossians 2:6-10; Joshua 1:8).
The renewed mind is the updated "operating system" that enables us to process and receive New Covenant promises. Without a renewed mind, we cannot effectively "prove for ourselves, what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God". (Romans 12:2) Without it, we risk aligning ourselves with the ways that lead to fear, depression, lack, sickness and death, rather than the life and peace that God has intended.
Audio Summary
Click the link below for a brief audio summary of
Session 5
🔈 Audio Summary: Session 5
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Scripture References
- Romans 12:2
- James 1:22–25
- 1 John 4:17
- Phillippeans 4;19
- Isaiah 53:5
- 1 Peter 2:24
- 1 John 3:21-22
- Luke 10:19:
- Matthew 16:19
- Matthew 17:19-20
- Isaiah 55:11
- Psalm 119:89
- James 1:6-8;
- 1 Timothy 1:19
- Joshuah 1:8;
- Proverbs 4: 20-22
- 2 Corinthians 3:18AMPC;
- Colossians 2:6-10 AMPC
- Mark 12:30