The renewing of our mind

---

The apostle James explained that it is through the various trials that we experience as part of the chastening hand of the Father in our life, that we are made perfect and complete. He wrote, ‘My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.’ Jas 1:2‑4.

James then highlighted the reality that the antidote to instability is to receive wisdom from God, and to live by faith in fellowship with Christ. Specifically, he said, ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.. but let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.’ Jas 1:5‑8. Offering transfer is being frustrated for the person who doubts. This is because they are not living by faith and, therefore, are not walking in the fellowship of Christ’s offering and sufferings.

The renewing of our mind is important to the recovery of our identity, and to living as a son of God. We must cease from the recriminating mind-chatter that is endemic to living according to the flesh. Rom 8:5‑6. In order for our mind to cease from being motivated by the flesh, it needs to be set on the things of the Spirit. Here is a key: ‘the things of the Spirit’ refers to the word being proclaimed at this present time. It is the word of present truth. The effect of receiving and believing the word is that we continue in the fellowship of the Father, and of His Son, as a living sacrifice. Rom 12:1. In this fellowship, we cease from pursuing our own righteousness, and are being transformed by the renewing of our mind. Rom 12:2.

Further Study :
	James 1