Time to Start Renovating?

Good Morning,

"Be made new in the attitude of your minds. Eph. 4:23

As a former home builder, I sometimes find myself talking to the television when a DIY remodeling show is on. I say things like “You can’t do it that cheap!”, or “It can’t be done that fast!”. Then my wife calms me down reminding me that I don’t do that anymore. Ah, some things die a hard death.

Yet some things in life need to die. Some things need to go, no matter how hard it is to root them out. I find it fascinating that the phrase in the verse above, “Be made new”, comes from the Greek word Ananeo. And ananeo means renovate. In other words, renovate your mind and it will make a difference in your outlook and behaviors.

The first step in a renovation project isn’t installing the new stuff, but rather demolition of the old stuff. You don’t install new kitchen cabinets until the old ones are removed. You don’t replace the front porch until the old porch is demolished. The same is true in the renovation of our minds.

Some of us have established patterns of thought based on lies we have bought into that need demolished. They have resulted in labels we’ve given ourselves that don’t line up with the truth of God’s Word. For example, you live with shame of your past, so you have labeled yourself “Unforgivable”. You have married and divorced, and you have labeled yourself “Unlovable”. You have tried 3 times to start a business, and none have made it, so you label yourself “Failure”. Frankly, some of you think that God somehow just missed it when you were made.  These thoughts need to be demolished. 

When you uproot these lies something needs to go in their place. The “made new” part starts with claiming the truth of God’s Word. Not intellectually acknowledging it, but rather grasping on to it for yourself. This is the beautiful part of renovation. Something fresh is born. Things begin to look and feel different.  Here are a few nuggets of truth from Scripture for you to plant in your brain. 

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 2 Tim. 2:13

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.   Romans 8:1

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.   Psalm 139:13-14

Is it time to start a renovation project in your mind today?

Live on purpose,
Ron Klopfenstein