Out of the blue, discussing Romans 12: 1,2 with a Hospice chaplain and a pastor, I wondered how the Greek word translated as “mind” would be understood by the writer and the audience in that day. My understanding became even clearer when verse three is added to the meaning of verse two.
First of all, the Greek word νοῦς pronounced (nooce) transliterated nous is comparable or nearly synonymous with our word psyche (biblehub.com). The psyche is the “totality of elements forming the mind” or “the soul” or “personality” (Merriam-Webster.com). Instead of “mind,” it might be better understood as mindset to us today.
My wife and I are pescatarian. That means we prefer plant-based food over meat and chicken. When I tell people, they shake their heads or turn up their noses at the idea of eating plant-based foods. Their minds are set against eating something that’s not hamburger, steaks, fried chicken, or pork, especially bacon. Sometimes without even trying veggie crumbles or impossible meat substitutes, they are convinced it could not be good.
With so many people, the word “vegetable” turns their stomach. They are conformed to that mindset based on past experiences or misconceptions about vegetables. Plus, they have always enjoyed a big ole steak and cannot imagine never doing it again.
We do that with so many things in our lives. Habits, lifestyles, cultures are built around ideas and behaviors that are like our default mechanism sometimes without ever knowing why or how it came to be.
Romans 12:2, tells us not to be conformed to this world or those worldly personality traits, but be transformed by the renewing of our mindset that form your way of thinking. The reason to change is so you identify more with the will of God rather than your will. We know it is not easy to change a habit or way of thinking or patterns of behavior. It takes practice which includes awkward starts or fails, especially in changing our default mechanisms (doing or thinking automatically). God can help with that.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,”
James 1:2 NIV. As a kid, this verse sounded very counterintuitive As a parent, it made more sense. As a basketball coach, it makes the most sense.
Athletes hate most drills – the repetition of it. They dislike running drills, especially early in the season to get in good physical shape. Yet, they do it knowing the drills help internalize the movements so that out on the court, the right move is done automatically without having to stop and think. The running gives your body the stamina to give 100% for the duration of the game. It can feel like punishment, but it is discipline. It doesn’t make you happy feeling the pain or discomfort in practice. But the joy comes as you improve your strength and ability to successfully perform, ie to become a better athlete.
Transformation from one way of viewing the world, circumstance, or situation can be painful. It, too, takes lots and lots of practice. Christians who believe their way of behaving, their view of what is sin is often distorted by a cultural, social or even religious worldview, not a godly one. They will often be “out of shape“ as a Christian. They are not backslidden or lost. They just need more discipline or discipleship. The most out of shape Christian is the critical or judgmental one.
That brings us to look closely at verse three of Romans 12.
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”
Romans 12:3 NIV
Sober judgment means being real and honest with yourself and with God. When we are commanded “be not conformed, but transform,” know that you still have lots to change. You cannot do that without admitting to yourself that you’re not God or God’s gift to mankind. God’s gift to mankind hung on a cross, died for mankind, and rose to sit at God’s right hand. He also sent his Spirit to speak to ours.
The more we practice dying to our stinking thinking; the more we identify with the will of God. That takes faith, not in the “traditions of your denomination,” not in your interpretation of a passage of scripture, nor in saying a prayer for salvation. It takes faith in God and even his discipline. That faith is not only in God; it is “distributed” by God.
Then, and only then, can you possibly know and do God’s perfect will. But just like the basketball player who missed too many shots, allowed an opponent too many rebounds, or a team losing a game, you are not a failure or a disappointment to your coach. You need more practice. Many times it comes in the form of a trial.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4 NIV
“Be patient,” James suggests, “and let perseverance finish its work.” Why? “So that you may be mature, complete, not lacking anything” to be able to know and do God’s perfect will and transform to your best self and your best life.
Categories: Devotional Inspiration Spirituality and Religion
Douglas Knight
I have the rich life full of a sinner wounded by misunderstanding and punishment but blessed by mercy and forgiveness.
Knight Writer 
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