Monday Memo 1225: Your Thinking

“Do not conform to the pattern 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" (Romans 12:2).

Purpose begins in the mind. Before God changes our circumstances, He changes our thinking. Every action starts as a thought, and every habit grows from what we consistently dwell on. That’s why the enemy’s greatest battleground isn’t your body or your finances—it’s your mind. Paul reminds us that transformation comes not through striving, but through renewing our minds with God’s Word.

The world constantly tries to shape how we think—what success looks like, how we measure worth, where we find security. Without even realizing it, we can begin to conform to these patterns, filtering life through the world’s lens instead of God’s truth. The only way to resist this pull is to saturate our minds with Scripture until it reshapes how we see ourselves, others, and God.

Reading the Bible is not just about gaining knowledge; it’s about exchanging our perspective for God’s. When we meditate on Scripture, we begin to replace lies with truth:

• Fear says, “You’re not enough.” God’s Word says, “You can do all things through Christ.”

• The world says, “Success is measured by wealth.” Jesus said, “The greatest among you will be your servant.”

• Common sense says, “I’m too old or too young." The Word says that each one of us has a purpose with gifts and wisdom.

Let me give you some personal examples. I used to think that if I was going to fulfill God’s will for my life, I needed a church or a company to pay me to do it. That was wrong thinking. God’s provision is not limited to a paycheck. He can fund His purpose through any means He chooses. Over time, He showed me that my dependence had to shift from people to Him.

Later, when I complained that I wasn’t selling many books, the Spirit whispered, “Who said you have to sell them?” That question changed my entire approach. I began giving books away, using them as ministry tools and trusting God to provide the resources to replace them through other avenues. That renewed mindset set me free from anxiety over results and refocused me on obedience. The Word had transformed my thinking—and my peace (and prosperity) followed.

Meditation and memorization are the tools that make this renewal possible, and that requires effort on your part. As we store God’s Word in our hearts, it begins to speak louder than fear, shame, or negativity. When Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, He didn’t argue with the enemy; He quoted Scripture. The Word must move from the page to our minds and from our minds to our decisions. Transformation begins when the Word becomes the filter for our thoughts.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, modeled this practice of aligning her thinking with God's word. Twice Luke wrote that she “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19, 51). She didn’t understand everything God was doing, but she let His words shape her heart over time. That is what renewing your mind looks like—pondering God’s truth until it becomes your framework, your bedrock, for faith and obedience.

Renewing your mind is not a one-time event but a daily process. It requires replacing what’s untrue, unhelpful, or ungodly with what is good, pure, and eternal. Philippians 4:8 gives us the simple blueprint: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” The good news is you don't have to do this alone; the Spirit is in you to give you the mind of Christ!

As you fill your mind with Scripture, your responses, emotions, and decisions begin to align with God’s purpose for your life. That’s when you can “test and approve” His plan—not because you’re guessing, but because your renewed mind recognizes His ways.

Reflection Questions

 

1. Where does your thinking most need to be renewed to align with God’s truth?

2. What worldly patterns dominate or influence your thoughts, habits, or decisions?

3. Which verse could you meditate on this week to replace an unhealthy mindset with God’s truth?

 

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your Word that renews and restores my mind. Expose every thought that doesn’t line up with Your truth, and replace it with wisdom from Scripture. Transform the way I think so that I may walk in Your will with confidence and peace. Help me to think like You, see like You, and live for You. Amen.

Application

Identify one area where your thoughts often drift toward fear, comparison, or negativity. Find a verse that speaks directly to that issue—such as Isaiah 26:3 for peace or 2 Timothy 1:7 for courage—and meditate on it daily. Write it down, repeat it often, and let God’s Word renew your perspective and reshape your purpose. Then when possible, act on it in a tangible way.