As I have ministered in the area of deliverance from demons, I have realized that often getting free from demonic powers is only the beginning of complete transformation. To walk in the fullness of freedom, and experience lasting change, it is imperative we renew our minds.
Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The word “transformed” comes from a Greek word that is similar to the word metamorphosis. It speaks of being changed from one thing into something totally different, just like a caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly. According to the apostle Paul, a key part of this transformation process is “the renewing of the mind.”
It is possible to be set free from the devil’s grip, but still carry a mindset of slavery. This is what happened when the children of Israel were set free from being slaves in Egypt. They were delivered from Pharaoh’s power, but they still carried a slave mentality. They often complained to Moses, had trouble trusting God, and even talked of returning to Egypt. (See Numbers 14:3 for an example.)
Often times, demonic bondage carries with it a mindset. A mindset refers to the way that we think about something. It is a subconscious thought pattern that has been ingrained in us over time. Mindsets can be godly or ungodly depending on whether they are based on God’s truth or the enemy’s lies.
Getting delivered from an evil spirit is one thing; getting rid of an old mindset is another. For example, you can be set free from a spirit of fear, but then there must be a freedom from the mindset of fear. This happens over time as we replace the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s word. Deliverance can happen instantaneously, but renewing the mind usually happens over a process of time.
Our minds are a major battlefield and one of the primary areas that the devil tries to attack. Guarding our minds and learning to submit our thoughts to the Lord is a key aspect of living in God’s fullness. The great news is that we can be totally transformed as we renew our minds with the Word of God!
Have you ever experienced an area where God has totally renewed your mind? What transformation happened as a result?
I love when God shows His uniting spirit in article topics…He is such a master-planner :). If you get a chance, you’d enjoy the video in the article I did yesterday. I can’t remember the name…something about changing the mind. Love our God!