Chapter 1: Living Sacrifices and Transformed Minds
Subtitle: Shaping Your Thoughts to Align with God’s Will
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” – Romans 12:1 (KJV)
I am so blessed to be alive. I give glory and honor to my Heavenly Father for another opportunity to lift my voice and declare His goodness. Let us begin this journey with a word of prayer:
Prayer:
Father, forgive me of any sin. Use my mouth and my voice to vocalize Your Word. Let Your name be glorified, let the believers be edified, and let us be made better by what we receive today. Inspire us to press forward in Your glory, walking in victory. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
A Foundation Built on Obedience
In our previous series, we explored why the enemy works so hard to keep us focused on our circumstances, trials, and tests. We were reminded of God’s spiritual weapons—not carnal, but mighty through Him for the pulling down of strongholds (see 2 Corinthians 10:4).
Among these weapons, one stood out prominently—humility.
We looked to Jesus as our ultimate example. Scripture tells us that “He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8, KJV). Though fully God, Jesus came to earth as a man and chose obedience. He willingly sacrificed His life and, as a result, God exalted Him and gave Him a name that is above every name(Philippians 2:9-10).
As believers, we’re blessed to lift our voices to God voluntarily. We are not forced; we choose to submit. This act of submission enables us to resist the enemy, who then has no choice but to flee (James 4:7). The submitted, humble believer is powerful and dangerous to the kingdom of darkness. Why? Because God’s Word says that those who humble themselves will be exalted (James 4:10).
When we obey God’s Word, we become a threat to the enemy. He wants us to fear and retreat, but we rise in faith and press forward. We choose to submit and stand strong—because submitted believers walk in victory.
Introducing the Mindset Series
Today, we begin a new journey: the Mindset series.
What is a mindset?
A mindset is a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you interpret and respond to situations.
As believers, we are called to adopt a biblical mindset. This means we view life and make decisions through the lens of Scripture. A biblical mindset prioritizes God’s Word, renews our thoughts, and aligns them with His values. It shifts our focus from worldly desires to spiritual growth and maturity.
Everything we do—our thoughts, decisions, and actions—should be filtered through the Word of God.
Foundational Scriptures: Romans 12:1–2
Let us dive into our foundational text:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” – Romans 12:1 (KJV)
Here, Paul appeals to believers, urging them to dedicate their lives entirely to God. Presenting our bodies as living sacrifices is a form of submission—a recurring theme in spiritual maturity.
Now, look at verse 2:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:2 (KJV)
This verse is key to developing a biblical mindset.
-
“Be not conformed to this world” – This is a command. It warns us that being shaped by worldly values is not only possible, but prevalent. We must be intentional not to fall into that pattern.
-
“But be transformed” – Transformation here speaks of a radical change, an inner renewal that affects outward behavior.
-
“By the renewing of your mind” – This doesn’t happen passively. We must actively renew our minds through God’s Word, prayer, and obedience.
-
“That ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” – As our minds are renewed, we begin to discern God’s will clearly and live it out.
The process of transformation begins with submission (Romans 12:1) and continues through daily renewal (Romans 12:2). This is how believers develop a mindset that mirrors the mind of Christ.
Walking It Out
A biblical mindset is not developed overnight. It requires intentional discipline, a love for God’s Word, and daily surrender. When you commit your thoughts to the Lord, your decisions will begin to reflect His wisdom.
You will see circumstances differently—not through fear, but through faith. You won’t just survive trials—you’ll overcome them because your mind is anchored in truth.
You will be less likely to conform to worldly distractions and more empowered to live out your divine purpose.
Conclusion
A renewed mind leads to transformed living. When we adopt a biblical mindset, we are empowered to walk in obedience, resist the enemy, and discern the perfect will of God.
✨ Key Takeaways:
-
A mindset is a consistent way of thinking that shapes responses.
-
A biblical mindset is rooted in Scripture and aligned with God’s values.
-
Submission to God is the foundation of a renewed mind.
-
Romans 12:1–2 emphasizes living sacrifice and mental transformation.
-
Transformation is intentional—renewing the mind requires daily effort.
-
A renewed mind helps us discern God’s perfect will and resist the enemy.
From The Daily Word with Pastor KBN: Mindset (Part 1), Apr 29, 2025
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily-word-with-pastor-kbn/id1800872165?i=1000705361806&r=104
This material may be protected by copyright.