(Romans 12:2) Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I’ve always loved this scripture from Romans talking about transforming and renewing the mind.  However, I’ve recently come to a different understanding of its meaning.  I used to think of being transformed by the renewing of your mind as some miraculous change brought about by the Holy Spirit.  Then there would come this amazing new level of understanding and a greater connection to God.  It turns out, I was over spiritualizing. 

Yes, the results will be the same, a new level of understanding and a greater connection to our God, but this is simply the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.  He guides us through our day by day walk from the moment of salvation.  We are continually renewed until we are called home.

(John 14:25&26) All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the advocate, The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Before we gave our lives to Jesus, we conformed to the patterns of this world.  Hatred, bigotry, self-indulgence, greed, sexual impurity, etc. are the patterns of this world.  When we became disciples of Jesus, The Father gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us into an understanding of the righteous words of Jesus, which are the opposite of the patterns of this world.  The transformation by the renewing of our minds then began, and it is still proceeding.  With this transformation comes an ever-increasing understanding of God’s will for our lives, his good, pleasing and perfect will for each of us.