Renewed Mind Vs. Physical Fasting in Spiritual Growth

As we journey through our walk with the Lord, it's easy to get caught up in the idea of reaching certain milestones, such as a month of consistent quiet time or a year of faithful service. But, as the apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2, God's desire for us is not to simply reach a specific mark, but to experience a profound transformation of our minds. He wants us to be renewed in our thinking, to have our minds conformed to the image of Christ, so that we may discern what is good and acceptable and perfect. This is a lifelong process, one that requires us to continually surrender our thoughts and desires to the Lord, that He may transform us from the inside out.

As we seek to have our minds renewed, we must remember that this is a work of the Holy Spirit, who alone can give us the mind of Christ, as 1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us. It's not something we can achieve through our own efforts or willpower, but rather it's a gift that God gives to us as we yield to His Spirit. And so, we must come to the Lord with humility and dependence, acknowledging our need for His transforming power in our lives. In Ephesians 4:23, we're reminded to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, putting on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. This is the kind of transformation that God desires for us, a transformation that goes far beyond simply reaching a certain milestone, but one that penetrates to the very core of who we are, changing us into the likeness of His beloved Son.