April 9, 2025 • 26 mins
Mind renewal was never meant to be complicated, exhausting, or just another spiritual checklist. Yet many believers have turned this life-giving practice into legalism, self-help, or an overwhelming to-do list, missing its true power. Instead of striving to earn God's favor through mental exercises, we are invited into something far greater—alignment with God's perspective, bringing peace rather than pressure.
True mind renewal refreshes the soul rather than depleting it. It’s about thinking God’s thoughts after Him, allowing His Word and Spirit to transform us. When we stop striving and simply receive the mind of Christ, we experience a gift, not a burden—a daily invitation into God’s presence that brings joy, contentment, and lasting change. Join us for this wonderfully freeing episode!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hi and welcome to our podcast Revelation Within On
the Go.
I'm Heidi Bilesma-Epperson, oneof your hosts and the owner and
lead coach of theRevelationWithinorg ministry.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
And I'm Christina Motley, your other host, also a
Revelation Within coach andHeidi's partner in all things
Revelation Within.
We're so happy to invite you tojoin us for this episode of
Revelation Within On the Go.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Today's episode is all about clearing the air on
something that I think istripping a lot of people up.
Yes, mind renewal.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Yes.
What is the renewing of the?
Speaker 1 (00:49):
mind.
What is it?
We're going to talk about whatit isn't and what it is, because
, let's face it, we have allturned life giving things into
burdens before, without evenrealizing it, and perhaps that
is happening with our mindrenewal.
I know I have done this before,I must confess, especially as
(01:10):
we began to develop more andmore and more and more tools.
I wanted to do them all everyday and then it was like, okay,
I'm going to start the morningoff and I'm going to have this
amazing mind renewal sessionwith the Lord and I'm just going
to be good to go the rest ofthe day.
Oh, no, it's not working.
I need to have another amazingmind renewal session in the
(01:33):
middle of the day.
That's just as long doing theother half of the tools that I
haven't used yet.
And no, okay, it's almost likewe have this tendency to turn
mind renewal into check boxes.
Yes, like our Bible readingplans, like our praying, our you
know our acts, prayer, you knowadoration, confession,
(01:54):
thanksgiving and supplication,mind renewal is on there too.
Yeah, that's not freedom.
And I see that that's not whatJesus has invited me into.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Right.
Well and I feel like we have alot of people say this to us too
I think I'm making this toocomplicated.
You know, it's like I've madethis kind of complicated, like
it's rocket science or something, and I've got to, like, put it
together and lay it all out andhave it all ready.
And no, you know what?
(02:25):
No, not at all.
Mind renewal is something thatwe can easily, beautifully, kind
of organically, weave into ourday every single day.
It's not rocket science at all.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
It's just as simple as just thinking God's thoughts
about things.
I can just say what are yourthoughts about that?
Speaker 2 (02:45):
What are your thoughts?
Speaker 1 (02:46):
about this moment.
What could I do in this momentto think like you, jesus, anyway
, we're getting ahead ofourselves.
So let's start off with what myrenewal is not Okay, because
sometimes you know, when we'restuck or burnt out, it's not
necessarily that we failed, it'sthat we've misunderstood the
assignment.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Okay, so let's start with a really strong one.
Mind renewal is not aboutlegalism, amen to that.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
It's not a rule.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
It's not a law, it's not something you're obligated
to follow to stay in God's favor.
No way, that's absolutely notwhat mind renewal is.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
No, and it's not earning your way to peace with
God.
It's not like I'm going to showGod just how sincere I am by
all these mind renewal practices.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Also, mind renewal is not about spiritual
perfectionism, trying to beperfect in your spiritual
practices somehow.
That's not what it's about atall.
If mind renewal feels like acheckbox to keep God happy with
you, if that's how it's feelingfor you right now, then you've
(04:00):
missed the heart of it, becauseGod already delights in you.
No matter what you do, nomatter what you don't do, god
delights over you.
He's singing over you.
And the singing is loud.
The Bible says I mean the wayhe sees you is a done deal.
(04:21):
Your identity in Christ is done.
It's not going to change, right.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
So that's not what this is about at all, which is
another thing that mind renewalis not and this is different
than anything that the world hasto offer.
It is not flesh fueled behaviorchange or modification or
whatever you want to call it.
It isn't, it's not justpositive thinking.
(04:50):
We can't positive think our wayinto the kind of change God does
, because remember Romans 12,two tells us that we are
transformed by the renewing ofour minds.
So you can't just generate thatkind of transformation.
It's got to be done by God andit's in response to the renewing
of the mind that he calls us todo.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Right.
Mind renewal is also not sinmanagement or behavior control.
You know I'm going to come upwith this plan and I'm going to
manage my sins somehow.
I'm going to control mybehavior.
Notice I'm saying I, I, I, I.
That's not about God's amazingtransformation in us.
(05:35):
This isn't about behaviorcontrol.
It's not Right.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
All right.
Another thing that it is not,and this feeds that flesh fueled
thing.
It's not pushing yourselfharder to get it right.
It's like okay, I just need toget out a thicker journal with a
more favorite pen.
I got to get more books to helpme.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, yes.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
That is so true.
Or I should talk to this really, really spiritual person.
And then you know, or maybe ifI climb this mountain and sit at
the top and I mean there's, wedo that, don't we?
We come up with all thesethings that are going to fix it.
So trying to renew your mind inyour own strength will wear you
(06:26):
out.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
It will, it will.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
It will.
It'll wear you out, it'llexhaust you and drain you.
This isn't a self-help project.
It's a spirit-poweredtransformation.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
As in Holy Spirit-powered transformation.
Holy Spirit Exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
And I just Heidi, and I both, heidi, I know that you
love this we love, love, love tohear the stories that people
come to us and tell us aboutthat transformation, about how
mind renewal is transforming youknow how God is doing that work
.
We love to hear the stories,and it's not the same for
(07:06):
everybody, I mean.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
I love it.
Yes, me too.
All right.
So another thing that mindrenewal is not oh, it's.
Please, please, please, don'tlet it be this for you, it's not
just another to do on your list.
It's not another item on youralready busy spiritual checklist
going to church, going to thismeeting, going to that Bible
(07:30):
study, et cetera, et cetera, etcetera.
It is not another item on yourto-do list, it is not.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Mind renewal is also not a ritual to prove your
commitment.
Wow, it's not.
It's not a ritual.
It has nothing to do with that.
It is something very beautifuland life-giving.
It's about relationship.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Yes, and it's also not a punishment, like I blew it
, so now I better renew my mind.
Yeah, yes, you can renew yourmind about your failure, but
it's not a punishment.
God is going to redeem the messup.
So, and we have an episodeabout look and learn.
You'll want to catch that one,it's not a punishment or
(08:15):
consequence for failing, whetherit was in the past 10 years ago
or in the past five minutes ago.
When it becomes one more thingyou should do and you're
shitting on yourself all thetime to be a good Christian,
then you've lost the life-givingaspect to it.
Jesus never said come to me allwho are weary, and I'll give you
(08:38):
a longer list, that's hilarious, really.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Okay Also, number four mind renewal is not life
depleting.
It's not something that leavesyou feeling worse than when you
started.
It's actually the opposite.
When I renew my mind, I feelrefreshed, I feel equipped, I
feel ready for the next thing inmy day.
I feel rested, my heart isturned toward the Lord, my eyes
(09:09):
are fixed on him, the burdensare off of my shoulders.
Oh my gosh, it feels so good andI always think to myself why
didn't I do that sooner in myday?
Exactly Right, it's life giving.
It will give you life andrefreshment Right.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
There is nothing about mind renewal that is life
depleting.
It's not heavy, it's not shamebased, it's not fueled by
comparison.
It is all about finding restand refreshment in the Lord.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
And it's not an intellectual exercise with no
heart connection.
It's not Now.
I have to say that sometimes,when people first start renewing
their mind, they might say youknow what?
I don't really believe thisabout myself yet, or I don't
really know about this yet, Ihaven't experienced this, and
(10:06):
that's okay.
You just say the words that aretrue.
We're looking at big T truth,that means God's truth, his
perspective, it's in his word orit lines up with his word, and
so it's not about a feeling,it's not about well, I'm not
feeling connected with God.
Sometimes he's very quiet, buthe's always there, and so it's
(10:32):
not an intellectual exercisewith no heart connection.
It actually brings ourknowledge of God and our
thoughts of God.
It brings them from our head toour hearts.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Amen, exactly, exactly.
If your mind renewal practicemakes you feel more condemned
than comforted, it's time to letthat version of mind renewal go
.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
That's not, that's not mind renewal right.
No feeling that way.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
And the fifth thing that we're just going to
highlight today that mindrenewal is not is comes as a
surprise to many people, butit's not.
More Bible study, more prayertime, more journal time, more
going to church and all of that.
It's really not, and sometimesit's not even the Bible study
(11:21):
we're doing right now.
Sometimes that's not even mindrenewal.
And why is that, though?
Why is Bible study not the sameas mind renewal, necessarily?
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Yeah, Well, a lot of times, as we just, you know,
we've been talking about,sometimes those kinds of things
become like intellectualexercises, right Like ritual in
the blank.
It's like, okay, oh, I haven'thad my quiet time today, well,
you know, I'll squeeze it inlater.
It's like it becomes somethingI haven't had my quiet time
today, well, I'll squeeze it inlater.
It's like it becomes somethingyou check off on your list.
(11:55):
It's not about relationship.
It's like I'm doing my thingover here, I'm filling in these
blanks and I'm not reallyinteracting at a level with the
Lord that's going to make anydifference in my life at all.
Now, that's not true all thetime.
Bible study is wonderful, andwe've had, you know, and I have
(12:16):
done this too where I'll use astudy, or I'll use a devotion
and I'll write a truth list fromit, or I'll invite God in to
show me what are you saying tome in this, or maybe it's a song
that he's speaking to methrough, and I know this happens
to you all the time, heidi, andso it can be, but oftentimes we
(12:36):
get frustrated because it'slike I did 45 days in a row of
devotions and Bible study in themorning for an hour, and I'm
feeling the same as I was before.
Oh well, that's not true.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
That's a really good indication that it wasn't mine,
or no.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Think of it as, yeah, a relationship that's really
what it's about is arelationship with the Lord.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
It's inviting God to show me what his thoughts are
about.
Yes, and when I hear what histhoughts are about things, I
allow him to see that I'mwilling to think his thoughts
instead of mine.
Yes, I don't know.
To me that maybe simplifies ittoo much, but I think it's good
for me.
All right.
So let's talk about what mindrenewal is.
(13:24):
We've cleared the junk off thetable.
Let's talk about what mindrenewal really is, the kind that
breathes life into your spirit,and soul and draws you close to
the God of this universe.
I just love imagining that.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
And it's true, it is, it's true, and this is so
amazing and wonderful and Heidiand I have been doing it now for
years and loving it, oh, lovingit so much.
Okay, the first one what ismind renewal?
It's life-giving.
It invites you into God's rest.
(14:00):
Not striving, striving,striving.
No, it brings you into restingin him.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
That's amazing, yes, and it fills you up instead of
draining you.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
I love that it fills you up it does, and then real
mind renewal that we're talkingabout here produces peace and
freedom.
So when I'm asking God what areyour thoughts about my daughter
and this situation we're in, orwhat are your thoughts about
food and eating, what are yourthoughts about anything that's
(14:38):
going on in my life, or anyperson, any person, anything
God's response to me is actuallywhat brings me true peace and
freedom.
I'm thinking his thoughts aboutthose things.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
whatever is weighing on me in my life, or whatever
I'm celebrating, so we know thatRomans 12 says be transformed
by the renewing of your mind.
We have to recognize thattransformation doesn't happen by
forcing it to happen.
It happens simply by being withJesus and letting him change the
(15:15):
way we think.
I'm just going to say, lord,what are your thoughts?
I want to know your thoughts, Iwant to think your thoughts.
I want to use the mind ofChrist.
So the second thing that mindrenewal does and is is it builds
intimacy with God.
It's a place to encounter hislove, not just read about it.
(15:38):
I'm not just reading about itanymore.
I used to read about 10different devotionals every
morning.
I was trying to generatefeelings that I wanted to have
and okay, well, maybe this onewill do it.
Okay, maybe this one, wow, wow,I had an addiction going.
I think All right.
So it's a beautiful thing whenwe can actually step into his
(15:59):
love and stay there and not justread about it from all these
different authors' perspectives.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
Yes Also, mind renewal is a rhythm of
relationship.
It's not performance.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Hallelujah.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
So I love thinking about that.
I love using the word rhythmbecause it makes me think of
music and the notes and theharmonies and the way the voices
go together.
Think about the bestrelationship or one of the best
that you've ever had.
Maybe it's a best friend.
Think about how, in thatrelationship, there was a rhythm
(16:34):
of communication.
It wasn't all you, it wasn'tall the other person, and so
having a conversation with theLord all day long, little bits
of talking with him, sharingwith him, and then listening.
What are your thoughts?
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Oh, yeah, what are your thoughts?
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Yes, and that is where this intimacy is developed
.
More and more we trust himbecause we see that his
responses are for us, they'regood, they're life-giving and
his wisdom is loving and full ofcompassion and really, the more
(17:14):
we go to him, the more we wantto go to him, because it changes
our day, it changes the way wethink, it changes our responses
to other people, it changes ourdecisions.
It's like, oh, I want more ofthat, I want more it feels so
good, yes, it does.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
One of the things I love about Mind Renewal and the
intimacy it builds with God is Ihave a safe space guaranteed
where I can hear his voice and Ican receive his truth.
There is nothing there thatisn't safe and loving and true.
Ah, I love that.
It's in those quiet, sometimesraw moments, really raw, crying
(17:58):
out to him or journaling,honestly, even replacing lies
with truth, and he meets usdeeply in that.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Yes, he's there.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
He wants to be a part of that.
Oh my goodness, I think itthrills his heart and causes him
to smile.
I think he loves that.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
I think he does too.
I think he really does.
Okay, mind renewal number three.
It enables you to experiencethe best God has for you.
Yes, oh, I love this.
You know what Life is hard,life is messy, life is difficult
, but as we spend time duringthe day renewing our minds,
(18:41):
we're really experiencing God'sbest, even in the midst of
difficult life, even the midstof monotonous life, whatever it
is that's challenging you.
By renewing our mind, we'reactually aligning our thoughts
with God's reality, not theenemy's reality, not the world's
reality, not yoursister-in-law's reality.
Aligning your thoughts withGod's reality brings freedom and
(19:05):
peace.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
Amen to that.
I love that.
Well, and here's the cool thingyou know, god's word has taught
for ages and ages I mean evenin the Old Testament,
lamentations 3, where Jeremiahrenews his mind.
The psalmist renews his mind inPsalm 42.
Another thing about this is itrewires patterns of shame, fear
(19:27):
and lies in our minds.
Our brains are what they callneuroplastic, and that means we
are not stuck thinking the sameway, in the same old patterns,
with shame and fear and liesruling our lives.
Instead, god's best becomes ourreality as we think his
thoughts.
We're going to begin to see ourlives conform more and more to
(19:50):
his thoughts and rewire ourbrains.
It's such a cool fact.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
It is, and it's so hopeful because it's like, yes,
I can change and no, I'm notstuck, Because this is the truth
.
Mind renewal also then opensthe door to joy.
Contentment also then opens thedoor to joy, contentment, even
clarity of thought.
(20:17):
You know, when we are thinkingGod's thoughts about who he is,
about what he does for people,about who we are because of him,
I mean, wow, you know, thatbrings a lot of joy and
contentment to a difficultsituation that we're dealing
with here right now.
So I love that and it's so true.
(20:37):
Philippians 4.8,.
Whatever is true, whatever isnoble, whatever is lovely,
excellent, praiseworthy, all ofthat good stuff.
All of those things God says.
Think about these things.
Think about what is good, thinkabout what is praiseworthy and
true and noble.
(20:57):
Think on what I'm thinkingabout and this is his wisdom for
us, so that we can walk throughlife with joy and contentment.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
That's awesome.
Another aspect of renewing ourminds that is going to show you
if it's the true thing is you'llbe refreshed.
It's not a burden but areprieve from the chaos of the
world.
So mind renewal is refreshing.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
You know it feels like cool water on a thirsty
soul.
You know it feels like coolwater on a thirsty soul.
It does.
It feels like it's not likeself-care, it's soul care.
Right, it's better than gettingyour nails done.
That's right.
It really is Not that there'sanything wrong with that.
But that's so quick andfleeting, like it doesn't, it
(21:49):
doesn't last.
But when we feed our souls withGod's thoughts, with God's word
, with his truth, it lasts andit feels so good it fills us, it
refreshes us.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
Yes, when you have been having a time of mind
renewal whether it's one minute,five minutes, an hour, whatever
you will leave better than youcame to that time.
It's kind of like you know thefeeling when you get up from
prayer or scripture and and justbreathe again.
It's almost like you get thiswhole new perspective on life.
(22:24):
That is what it's meant to be.
It may not be that way everytime, but often enough to know
it is making a difference.
I am being transformed.
It is real.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
Hmm, wow, fantastic, I love it.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
The fifth aspect, to mind renewal, true renewing of
our minds that transforms,because God jumps in with us is
going to definitely be thinkingGod's thoughts after him, and
we've mentioned that all the waythrough.
Yes, we want to know the mindof Christ.
First, corinthians 2, 16 sayswe have been given the mind of
(23:04):
Christ.
I want to think with that mind.
That's what mind helps me to do.
I practice thinking with themind of Christ during my
intentional mind renewal timesso that when I am out there in
the world doing whatever I haveto do with my life whether it's
a ministry based thing orsomething else, it's a secular
(23:26):
thing I know the mind of Christand I know how to think with the
mind of Christ and invite themto help me think the mind of
Christ in that situation.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Yeah.
So the two, the really the twoways that we hear from God is
from his word.
Opening up the Bible, you'rereading his word, engaging with
his word.
Maybe it's even just one verse,it might be just a tiny bit, or
it might be a whole passage,but God is speaking through his
(23:57):
word, which is active and alive.
And then, of course, the mostmind-blowing way, at least I
think, that God speaks to us isthrough his Holy Spirit, who
lives within us, and it's notusually an audible voice, but
it's God's thoughts coming intoour minds, coming into our heart
(24:18):
and soul.
Basically, he is speaking to usall the time.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
So if you've been caught in a counterfeit version
of mind renewal and I don't knowif you have been or not,
chances are you're like me, likeChristina, we've all been there
at some time.
If you've pursued a practice ofmind renewal, you might get
caught in legalism, self-effort,shame.
Well, we want you to hear this.
(24:45):
You can lay all of that down.
Mind renewal is not somethingyou're going to master.
It's a gift.
It's a gift you receive.
Yes, yes, it's a gift.
It's a daily invitation to comeback again and again, and maybe
not just once a day.
No, no, no, it's got to be morethan that.
(25:05):
But to come back to the truthof who God is and who he says
you are, and the things that hehas to say about what you're
facing.
Oh, it's such a gift and wehope that you will love doing it
.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
We are so glad that you've been here today and we
hope that you will join us forour next episode of Revelation
Within On the.
Speaker 1 (25:37):
Go See you next time.
Bye.
Hi and welcome to our podcast Revelation Within On
the Go.
I'm Heidi Bilesma-Epperson, oneof your hosts and the owner and
lead coach of theRevelationWithinorg ministry.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
And I'm Christina Motley, your other host, also a
Revelation Within coach andHeidi's partner in all things
Revelation Within.
We're so happy to invite you tojoin us for this episode of
Revelation Within On the Go.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Today's episode is all about clearing the air on
something that I think istripping a lot of people up.
Yes, mind renewal.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Yes.
What is the renewing of the?
Speaker 1 (00:49):
mind.
What is it?
We're going to talk about whatit isn't and what it is, because
, let's face it, we have allturned life giving things into
burdens before, without evenrealizing it, and perhaps that
is happening with our mindrenewal.
I know I have done this before,I must confess, especially as
(01:10):
we began to develop more andmore and more and more tools.
I wanted to do them all everyday and then it was like, okay,
I'm going to start the morningoff and I'm going to have this
amazing mind renewal sessionwith the Lord and I'm just going
to be good to go the rest ofthe day.
Oh, no, it's not working.
I need to have another amazingmind renewal session in the
(01:33):
middle of the day.
That's just as long doing theother half of the tools that I
haven't used yet.
And no, okay, it's almost likewe have this tendency to turn
mind renewal into check boxes.
Yes, like our Bible readingplans, like our praying, our you
know our acts, prayer, you knowadoration, confession,
(01:54):
thanksgiving and supplication,mind renewal is on there too.
Yeah, that's not freedom.
And I see that that's not whatJesus has invited me into.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
Right.
Well and I feel like we have alot of people say this to us too
I think I'm making this toocomplicated.
You know, it's like I've madethis kind of complicated, like
it's rocket science or something, and I've got to, like, put it
together and lay it all out andhave it all ready.
And no, you know what?
(02:25):
No, not at all.
Mind renewal is something thatwe can easily, beautifully, kind
of organically, weave into ourday every single day.
It's not rocket science at all.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
It's just as simple as just thinking God's thoughts
about things.
I can just say what are yourthoughts about that?
Speaker 2 (02:45):
What are your thoughts?
Speaker 1 (02:46):
about this moment.
What could I do in this momentto think like you, jesus, anyway
, we're getting ahead ofourselves.
So let's start off with what myrenewal is not Okay, because
sometimes you know, when we'restuck or burnt out, it's not
necessarily that we failed, it'sthat we've misunderstood the
assignment.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Okay, so let's start with a really strong one.
Mind renewal is not aboutlegalism, amen to that.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
It's not a rule.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
It's not a law, it's not something you're obligated
to follow to stay in God's favor.
No way, that's absolutely notwhat mind renewal is.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
No, and it's not earning your way to peace with
God.
It's not like I'm going to showGod just how sincere I am by
all these mind renewal practices.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
Also, mind renewal is not about spiritual
perfectionism, trying to beperfect in your spiritual
practices somehow.
That's not what it's about atall.
If mind renewal feels like acheckbox to keep God happy with
you, if that's how it's feelingfor you right now, then you've
(04:00):
missed the heart of it, becauseGod already delights in you.
No matter what you do, nomatter what you don't do, god
delights over you.
He's singing over you.
And the singing is loud.
The Bible says I mean the wayhe sees you is a done deal.
(04:21):
Your identity in Christ is done.
It's not going to change, right.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
So that's not what this is about at all, which is
another thing that mind renewalis not and this is different
than anything that the world hasto offer.
It is not flesh fueled behaviorchange or modification or
whatever you want to call it.
It isn't, it's not justpositive thinking.
(04:50):
We can't positive think our wayinto the kind of change God does
, because remember Romans 12,two tells us that we are
transformed by the renewing ofour minds.
So you can't just generate thatkind of transformation.
It's got to be done by God andit's in response to the renewing
of the mind that he calls us todo.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Right.
Mind renewal is also not sinmanagement or behavior control.
You know I'm going to come upwith this plan and I'm going to
manage my sins somehow.
I'm going to control mybehavior.
Notice I'm saying I, I, I, I.
That's not about God's amazingtransformation in us.
(05:35):
This isn't about behaviorcontrol.
It's not Right.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
All right.
Another thing that it is not,and this feeds that flesh fueled
thing.
It's not pushing yourselfharder to get it right.
It's like okay, I just need toget out a thicker journal with a
more favorite pen.
I got to get more books to helpme.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, yes.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
That is so true.
Or I should talk to this really, really spiritual person.
And then you know, or maybe ifI climb this mountain and sit at
the top and I mean there's, wedo that, don't we?
We come up with all thesethings that are going to fix it.
So trying to renew your mind inyour own strength will wear you
(06:26):
out.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
It will, it will.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
It will.
It'll wear you out, it'llexhaust you and drain you.
This isn't a self-help project.
It's a spirit-poweredtransformation.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
As in Holy Spirit-powered transformation.
Holy Spirit Exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
And I just Heidi, and I both, heidi, I know that you
love this we love, love, love tohear the stories that people
come to us and tell us aboutthat transformation, about how
mind renewal is transforming youknow how God is doing that work
.
We love to hear the stories,and it's not the same for
(07:06):
everybody, I mean.
Speaker 1 (07:09):
I love it.
Yes, me too.
All right.
So another thing that mindrenewal is not oh, it's.
Please, please, please, don'tlet it be this for you, it's not
just another to do on your list.
It's not another item on youralready busy spiritual checklist
going to church, going to thismeeting, going to that Bible
(07:30):
study, et cetera, et cetera, etcetera.
It is not another item on yourto-do list, it is not.
Speaker 2 (07:37):
Mind renewal is also not a ritual to prove your
commitment.
Wow, it's not.
It's not a ritual.
It has nothing to do with that.
It is something very beautifuland life-giving.
It's about relationship.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Yes, and it's also not a punishment, like I blew it
, so now I better renew my mind.
Yeah, yes, you can renew yourmind about your failure, but
it's not a punishment.
God is going to redeem the messup.
So, and we have an episodeabout look and learn.
You'll want to catch that one,it's not a punishment or
(08:15):
consequence for failing, whetherit was in the past 10 years ago
or in the past five minutes ago.
When it becomes one more thingyou should do and you're
shitting on yourself all thetime to be a good Christian,
then you've lost the life-givingaspect to it.
Jesus never said come to me allwho are weary, and I'll give you
(08:38):
a longer list, that's hilarious, really.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Okay Also, number four mind renewal is not life
depleting.
It's not something that leavesyou feeling worse than when you
started.
It's actually the opposite.
When I renew my mind, I feelrefreshed, I feel equipped, I
feel ready for the next thing inmy day.
I feel rested, my heart isturned toward the Lord, my eyes
(09:09):
are fixed on him, the burdensare off of my shoulders.
Oh my gosh, it feels so good andI always think to myself why
didn't I do that sooner in myday?
Exactly Right, it's life giving.
It will give you life andrefreshment Right.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
There is nothing about mind renewal that is life
depleting.
It's not heavy, it's not shamebased, it's not fueled by
comparison.
It is all about finding restand refreshment in the Lord.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
And it's not an intellectual exercise with no
heart connection.
It's not Now.
I have to say that sometimes,when people first start renewing
their mind, they might say youknow what?
I don't really believe thisabout myself yet, or I don't
really know about this yet, Ihaven't experienced this, and
(10:06):
that's okay.
You just say the words that aretrue.
We're looking at big T truth,that means God's truth, his
perspective, it's in his word orit lines up with his word, and
so it's not about a feeling,it's not about well, I'm not
feeling connected with God.
Sometimes he's very quiet, buthe's always there, and so it's
(10:32):
not an intellectual exercisewith no heart connection.
It actually brings ourknowledge of God and our
thoughts of God.
It brings them from our head toour hearts.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
Amen, exactly, exactly.
If your mind renewal practicemakes you feel more condemned
than comforted, it's time to letthat version of mind renewal go
.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
That's not, that's not mind renewal right.
No feeling that way.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
And the fifth thing that we're just going to
highlight today that mindrenewal is not is comes as a
surprise to many people, butit's not.
More Bible study, more prayertime, more journal time, more
going to church and all of that.
It's really not, and sometimesit's not even the Bible study
(11:21):
we're doing right now.
Sometimes that's not even mindrenewal.
And why is that, though?
Why is Bible study not the sameas mind renewal, necessarily?
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Yeah, Well, a lot of times, as we just, you know,
we've been talking about,sometimes those kinds of things
become like intellectualexercises, right Like ritual in
the blank.
It's like, okay, oh, I haven'thad my quiet time today, well,
you know, I'll squeeze it inlater.
It's like it becomes somethingI haven't had my quiet time
today, well, I'll squeeze it inlater.
It's like it becomes somethingyou check off on your list.
(11:55):
It's not about relationship.
It's like I'm doing my thingover here, I'm filling in these
blanks and I'm not reallyinteracting at a level with the
Lord that's going to make anydifference in my life at all.
Now, that's not true all thetime.
Bible study is wonderful, andwe've had, you know, and I have
(12:16):
done this too where I'll use astudy, or I'll use a devotion
and I'll write a truth list fromit, or I'll invite God in to
show me what are you saying tome in this, or maybe it's a song
that he's speaking to methrough, and I know this happens
to you all the time, heidi, andso it can be, but oftentimes we
(12:36):
get frustrated because it'slike I did 45 days in a row of
devotions and Bible study in themorning for an hour, and I'm
feeling the same as I was before.
Oh well, that's not true.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
That's a really good indication that it wasn't mine,
or no.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Think of it as, yeah, a relationship that's really
what it's about is arelationship with the Lord.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
It's inviting God to show me what his thoughts are
about.
Yes, and when I hear what histhoughts are about things, I
allow him to see that I'mwilling to think his thoughts
instead of mine.
Yes, I don't know.
To me that maybe simplifies ittoo much, but I think it's good
for me.
All right.
So let's talk about what mindrenewal is.
(13:24):
We've cleared the junk off thetable.
Let's talk about what mindrenewal really is, the kind that
breathes life into your spirit,and soul and draws you close to
the God of this universe.
I just love imagining that.
Speaker 2 (13:39):
And it's true, it is, it's true, and this is so
amazing and wonderful and Heidiand I have been doing it now for
years and loving it, oh, lovingit so much.
Okay, the first one what ismind renewal?
It's life-giving.
It invites you into God's rest.
(14:00):
Not striving, striving,striving.
No, it brings you into restingin him.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
That's amazing, yes, and it fills you up instead of
draining you.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
I love that it fills you up it does, and then real
mind renewal that we're talkingabout here produces peace and
freedom.
So when I'm asking God what areyour thoughts about my daughter
and this situation we're in, orwhat are your thoughts about
food and eating, what are yourthoughts about anything that's
(14:38):
going on in my life, or anyperson, any person, anything
God's response to me is actuallywhat brings me true peace and
freedom.
I'm thinking his thoughts aboutthose things.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
whatever is weighing on me in my life, or whatever
I'm celebrating, so we know thatRomans 12 says be transformed
by the renewing of your mind.
We have to recognize thattransformation doesn't happen by
forcing it to happen.
It happens simply by being withJesus and letting him change the
(15:15):
way we think.
I'm just going to say, lord,what are your thoughts?
I want to know your thoughts, Iwant to think your thoughts.
I want to use the mind ofChrist.
So the second thing that mindrenewal does and is is it builds
intimacy with God.
It's a place to encounter hislove, not just read about it.
(15:38):
I'm not just reading about itanymore.
I used to read about 10different devotionals every
morning.
I was trying to generatefeelings that I wanted to have
and okay, well, maybe this onewill do it.
Okay, maybe this one, wow, wow,I had an addiction going.
I think All right.
So it's a beautiful thing whenwe can actually step into his
(15:59):
love and stay there and not justread about it from all these
different authors' perspectives.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
Yes Also, mind renewal is a rhythm of
relationship.
It's not performance.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
Hallelujah.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
So I love thinking about that.
I love using the word rhythmbecause it makes me think of
music and the notes and theharmonies and the way the voices
go together.
Think about the bestrelationship or one of the best
that you've ever had.
Maybe it's a best friend.
Think about how, in thatrelationship, there was a rhythm
(16:34):
of communication.
It wasn't all you, it wasn'tall the other person, and so
having a conversation with theLord all day long, little bits
of talking with him, sharingwith him, and then listening.
What are your thoughts?
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Oh, yeah, what are your thoughts?
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Yes, and that is where this intimacy is developed
.
More and more we trust himbecause we see that his
responses are for us, they'regood, they're life-giving and
his wisdom is loving and full ofcompassion and really, the more
(17:14):
we go to him, the more we wantto go to him, because it changes
our day, it changes the way wethink, it changes our responses
to other people, it changes ourdecisions.
It's like, oh, I want more ofthat, I want more it feels so
good, yes, it does.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
One of the things I love about Mind Renewal and the
intimacy it builds with God is Ihave a safe space guaranteed
where I can hear his voice and Ican receive his truth.
There is nothing there thatisn't safe and loving and true.
Ah, I love that.
It's in those quiet, sometimesraw moments, really raw, crying
(17:58):
out to him or journaling,honestly, even replacing lies
with truth, and he meets usdeeply in that.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Yes, he's there.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
He wants to be a part of that.
Oh my goodness, I think itthrills his heart and causes him
to smile.
I think he loves that.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
I think he does too.
I think he really does.
Okay, mind renewal number three.
It enables you to experiencethe best God has for you.
Yes, oh, I love this.
You know what Life is hard,life is messy, life is difficult
, but as we spend time duringthe day renewing our minds,
(18:41):
we're really experiencing God'sbest, even in the midst of
difficult life, even the midstof monotonous life, whatever it
is that's challenging you.
By renewing our mind, we'reactually aligning our thoughts
with God's reality, not theenemy's reality, not the world's
reality, not yoursister-in-law's reality.
Aligning your thoughts withGod's reality brings freedom and
(19:05):
peace.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
Amen to that.
I love that.
Well, and here's the cool thingyou know, god's word has taught
for ages and ages I mean evenin the Old Testament,
lamentations 3, where Jeremiahrenews his mind.
The psalmist renews his mind inPsalm 42.
Another thing about this is itrewires patterns of shame, fear
(19:27):
and lies in our minds.
Our brains are what they callneuroplastic, and that means we
are not stuck thinking the sameway, in the same old patterns,
with shame and fear and liesruling our lives.
Instead, god's best becomes ourreality as we think his
thoughts.
We're going to begin to see ourlives conform more and more to
(19:50):
his thoughts and rewire ourbrains.
It's such a cool fact.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
It is, and it's so hopeful because it's like, yes,
I can change and no, I'm notstuck, Because this is the truth
.
Mind renewal also then opensthe door to joy.
Contentment also then opens thedoor to joy, contentment, even
clarity of thought.
(20:17):
You know, when we are thinkingGod's thoughts about who he is,
about what he does for people,about who we are because of him,
I mean, wow, you know, thatbrings a lot of joy and
contentment to a difficultsituation that we're dealing
with here right now.
So I love that and it's so true.
(20:37):
Philippians 4.8,.
Whatever is true, whatever isnoble, whatever is lovely,
excellent, praiseworthy, all ofthat good stuff.
All of those things God says.
Think about these things.
Think about what is good, thinkabout what is praiseworthy and
true and noble.
(20:57):
Think on what I'm thinkingabout and this is his wisdom for
us, so that we can walk throughlife with joy and contentment.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
That's awesome.
Another aspect of renewing ourminds that is going to show you
if it's the true thing is you'llbe refreshed.
It's not a burden but areprieve from the chaos of the
world.
So mind renewal is refreshing.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
You know it feels like cool water on a thirsty
soul.
You know it feels like coolwater on a thirsty soul.
It does.
It feels like it's not likeself-care, it's soul care.
Right, it's better than gettingyour nails done.
That's right.
It really is Not that there'sanything wrong with that.
But that's so quick andfleeting, like it doesn't, it
(21:49):
doesn't last.
But when we feed our souls withGod's thoughts, with God's word
, with his truth, it lasts andit feels so good it fills us, it
refreshes us.
Speaker 1 (22:01):
Yes, when you have been having a time of mind
renewal whether it's one minute,five minutes, an hour, whatever
you will leave better than youcame to that time.
It's kind of like you know thefeeling when you get up from
prayer or scripture and and justbreathe again.
It's almost like you get thiswhole new perspective on life.
(22:24):
That is what it's meant to be.
It may not be that way everytime, but often enough to know
it is making a difference.
I am being transformed.
It is real.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
Hmm, wow, fantastic, I love it.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
The fifth aspect, to mind renewal, true renewing of
our minds that transforms,because God jumps in with us is
going to definitely be thinkingGod's thoughts after him, and
we've mentioned that all the waythrough.
Yes, we want to know the mindof Christ.
First, corinthians 2, 16 sayswe have been given the mind of
(23:04):
Christ.
I want to think with that mind.
That's what mind helps me to do.
I practice thinking with themind of Christ during my
intentional mind renewal timesso that when I am out there in
the world doing whatever I haveto do with my life whether it's
a ministry based thing orsomething else, it's a secular
(23:26):
thing I know the mind of Christand I know how to think with the
mind of Christ and invite themto help me think the mind of
Christ in that situation.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Yeah.
So the two, the really the twoways that we hear from God is
from his word.
Opening up the Bible, you'rereading his word, engaging with
his word.
Maybe it's even just one verse,it might be just a tiny bit, or
it might be a whole passage,but God is speaking through his
(23:57):
word, which is active and alive.
And then, of course, the mostmind-blowing way, at least I
think, that God speaks to us isthrough his Holy Spirit, who
lives within us, and it's notusually an audible voice, but
it's God's thoughts coming intoour minds, coming into our heart
(24:18):
and soul.
Basically, he is speaking to usall the time.
Speaker 1 (24:23):
So if you've been caught in a counterfeit version
of mind renewal and I don't knowif you have been or not,
chances are you're like me, likeChristina, we've all been there
at some time.
If you've pursued a practice ofmind renewal, you might get
caught in legalism, self-effort,shame.
Well, we want you to hear this.
(24:45):
You can lay all of that down.
Mind renewal is not somethingyou're going to master.
It's a gift.
It's a gift you receive.
Yes, yes, it's a gift.
It's a daily invitation to comeback again and again, and maybe
not just once a day.
No, no, no, it's got to be morethan that.
(25:05):
But to come back to the truthof who God is and who he says
you are, and the things that hehas to say about what you're
facing.
Oh, it's such a gift and wehope that you will love doing it
.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
We are so glad that you've been here today and we
hope that you will join us forour next episode of Revelation
Within On the.
Speaker 1 (25:37):
Go See you next time.
Bye.
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