Discerning God's Will Through Mind Renewal in Christian Life
Discerning God's will is intrinsically linked to the renewal of the mind, a transformation described in Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God" [1]. This process is not merely a moral reformation but a profound spiritual change that enables an individual to comprehend and align with divine purposes [4].
The concept of mind renewal is closely related to regeneration, which is a "new birth" or a "passing from death to life" [3]. Regeneration is described as being "born again" (John 3:5), becoming a "new creature in Christ Jesus" (2 Cor. 5:17), and a "renewal of the mind" (Rom. 12:2) [3]. This new birth is effected by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, often through the instrumentality of the Word of God [5]. It is a once-for-all accomplished act, initiated by God's own will and good pleasure [11].
Following regeneration, the process of sanctification begins, which involves the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit to bring the entire being under the influence of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul [4]. John Gill, commenting on Ephesians 4:22, explains that the renewal in the spirit of the mind is either "by the Spirit that is in your mind" or refers to the human mind itself, which, being spiritual, requires renovation due to corruption by sin [6]. This daily renovation, or "putting on the new man," involves growth in holiness, righteousness, and particularly in knowledge [7]. Calvin also notes that regeneration involves two parts: "the putting off of the old man, and the putting on of the new" [9].
The renewal of the mind allows for an experimental knowledge of Christ, which goes beyond merely knowing doctrines about him to knowing the Redeemer himself [8]. This deeper knowledge is a goal of Christian ministry, aiming for the entire community to understand and experience the Christian faith more profoundly, leading to maturity in the Lord [10]. The standard of this maturity is Christ himself, as the Spirit's work is to make individuals fully like Christ [10].
The ability to discern God's will, therefore, is a direct outcome of this spiritual transformation. As the mind is renewed and increasingly aligned with God's nature, individuals become better equipped to "test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God" [1]. This discernment is not a static event but an ongoing process within the broader work of sanctification [4]. The will of God is also seen in the joy and refreshment experienced when individuals come together in accordance with it [2]. The renewal of the mind is thus essential for living a life that reflects God's purposes, moving away from conformity to worldly patterns and towards a life transformed by divine grace [1, 12].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 12:2 (BSB) — Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
- Romans “Romans 15:32 (Geneva1599) — That I may come vnto you with ioy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Regeneration — Only found in Matt. 19:28 and Titus 3:5. This word literally means a "new birth." The Greek word so rendered (palingenesia) is used by classical writers with reference to the changes produced by the return of spring. In Matt. 19:28 the word is equivalent to the "restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21). In Titus 3:5 it denotes that change of heart elsewhere spoken of as a passing from death to life (1 John 3:14); becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17); being born again (John 3:5); a renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:2); a resurrection from the ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: New Birth, The — The corruption of human nature requires -- Joh 3:6; Ro 8:7,8. None can enter heaven without -- Joh 3:3. Effected by God. -- Joh 1:13; 1Pe 1:3. Christ. -- 1Jo 2:29. The Holy Spirit. -- Joh 3:6; Tit 3:5. Through the instrumentality of The word of God. -- Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23. The resurrection of Christ. -- 1Pe 1:3. The ministry of the gospel. -- 1Co 4:15. Is of the will of God -- Jas 1:18. Is of the mercy of God -- Tit 3:5. Is for the glory of God -- Isa 43:7. Described as A new creation. -- 2Co 5:17; Ga 6:15; Eph 2:10. Newness of life. -- Ro 6:4. A spir”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:22: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Or by the Spirit that is in your mind; that is, by the Holy Spirit; who is in the saints, and is the author of renovation in them; and who is the reviver and carrier on, and finisher of that work, and therefore that is called the renewing of the Holy Spirit, Tit 3:5 or rather the mind of man, which is a spirit, of a spiritual nature, immaterial and immortal, and is the seat of that renewing work of the Spirit of God; which shows, that the more noble part of man stands in need of renovation, being corrupted by sin: and this”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 3:10: And have put on the new man,.... Concerning which, and the putting it on; see Gill on Eph 4:24, which is renewed in knowledge; this man, or principle of grace in the soul, is a new one, which never was there before; and there is a daily renovation of it in the spirit of the mind, by the Spirit of God; for as the outward man decays, the inward man, which is the same with this new man, is renewed day by day, increases in holiness and righteousness, grows in grace, and particularly in "knowledge"; light and knowledge of a man's self, of his lost state and condition”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:10: That I may know him--experimentally. The aim of the "righteousness" just mentioned. This verse resumes, and more fully explains, "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ" (Phi 3:8). To know HIM is more than merely to know a doctrine about Him. Believers are brought not only to redemption, but to the Redeemer Himself. the power of his resurrection--assuring believers of their justification (Rom 4:25; Co1 15:17), and raising them up spiritually with Him, by virtue of their identification with Him in this, as in all the acts of His redeeming work”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 38.2: through Christ. And as what we have from Adam becomes old, 439 439 “ Deuient vieil et caduque ;” — “Becomes old and frail.” and tends towards ruin, so what we obtain through Christ remains for ever, and is not frail; but, on the contrary, tends towards immortality. This passage is worthy of notice, inasmuch as a definition of regeneration may be gathered from it. For it contains two parts — the putting off of the old man , and the putting on of the new , and of these Paul here makes mention. It is also to be notice”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 1:18: (Joh 1:13). The believer's regeneration is the highest example of nothing but good proceeding from God. Of his own will--Of his own good pleasure (which shows that it is God's essential nature to do good, not evil), not induced by any external cause. begat he us--spiritually: a once-for-all accomplished act (Pe1 1:3, Pe1 1:23). In contrast to "lust when it hath conceived, bringeth forth sin, and sin . . . death" (Jam 1:15). Life follows naturally in connection with light (Jam 1:17). word of truth--the Gospel. The objective mean, as faith is the ap”
- 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 5:16: In these verses the apostle mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to Christ, both of which are the consequences of Christ's dying for us; namely, regeneration and reconciliation. I. Regeneration, which consists of two things; namely, 1. Weanedness from the world: "Henceforth we know no man after the flesh, Co2 5:16. We do not own nor affect any person or thing in this world for carnal ends and outward advantage: we are enabled, by divine grace, not to mind nor regard this world, nor the things of this world, but to live above it. The”