Thinking God's Way, Lesson 1

Thinking God’s Way is a series of Bible studies that helps believers meditate on the Word of God for the purpose of Christian growth. Each lesson features a verse of Scripture both in English and the original language (whether Hebrew or Greek). It also provides basic background information, followed by basic word definitions and other key insights. Each lesson concludes with some questions for meditation and for applying the truth to life.

Initial Thoughts

Those who believe on Jesus as God and Savior know that God has forgiven them from the guilt of sin and that he guarantees them a place in his eternal kingdom. We also know that he is working out a process of change in our lives so that we become more like Jesus in our thoughts, words, and actions. Yet how does this process occur? Romans 12:2 helps answer this question by highlighting your personal role in this life-changing process.

Key Verse - Romans 12:2

In English (NKJV)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

In Greek

και μη συσχηματιζεσθε τω αιωνι τουτω αλλα μεταμορφουσθε τη ανακαινωσει του νοος υμων εις το δοκιμαζειν υμας τι το θελημα του θεου το αγαθον και ευαρεστον και τελειον

English and Greek Together

Do not be conformed (μη συσχηματιζεσθε) to this world (τω αιωνι τουτω), but be transformed (αλλα μεταμορφουσθε) by the renewing (τη ανακαινωσει) of your mind (του νοος υμων), that you may prove (εις το δοκιμαζειν υμας) what is the will of God (τι το θελημα του θεου) the good and acceptable and perfect (το αγαθον και ευαρεστον και τελειον).

Background Information

Paul wrote this statement in a letter to believers who were wrestling with the pressures of life in the busy, pagan, secular city of Rome. He said this after a lengthy doctrinal section (Rom 1-11) that explains many difficult theological details about the gospel, which is God’s good news of salvation from sin through Jesus Christ.

This statement functions like a bridge or transition from the previous doctrinal discussion to a practical discussion that follows (Rom 12-16). This second section describes the way that believers should live since they have believed on Jesus as God and Savior.

Keywords and Their Meanings

These definitions come from Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006), which is a valuable resource to add to your personal Bible study library.

• Be conformed (συσχηματίζω): to conform or assimilate one’s self to
• World (αἰών): a period of time of significant character; life; an era; an age: hence, a state of things marking an age or era
• Be transformed (μεταμορφόω): to undergo a spiritual transformation
• Renewing (ἀνακαίνωσις): renovation, renewal
• Mind (νοῦς): the intellect, judgment, opinion, sentiment; frame of mind
• Prove (δοκιμάζω): to try, examine, scrutinize; to put to the test; to approve after trial, to choose
• Will (θέλημα): purpose, design; sovereign pleasure
• Good (ἀγαθός): good, profitable, generous, upright, virtuous
• Acceptable (εὑάρεστος): well-pleasing, acceptable
• Perfect (τέλειος): fully-developed; complete, entire; without shortcoming

Other Key Insights

1. First, the two main actions words (be conformed and be transformed) describe a process that takes place over time (not a one-time event or a crucial “crisis moment”). It is a process of personal change.
2. Second, these two words describe something that happens to you (notice the “be” and “-ed”) as the result of some influence, not something that you just bring about by yourself.
3. Third, they describe contrasting influences that oppose each other (notice “not” and “but”).

Questions for Meditation and Reflection

Who goes through this process of change?

Every person who has believed the gospel

What is the first source that is attempting to influence you?

The world, which is all the mindsets, values, pressures, people and temptations that make up our sinful, godless world as it is today

What is the second source that should influence you instead?

The will of God, which he has revealed to us most perfectly through Jesus Christ and recorded for us in the 66 books of the Bible

Where does this change take place?

In our minds. As we expose ourselves to the judgments, opinions and sentiments of God, our frame of mind changes so that we increasingly view things from God’s perspective rather than the way our sinful society wants us to think.

Which influence do we naturally tend to follow?

The word renewing indicates that in our natural, normal state, we tend to think and speak, act and make choices in a way that reflects the influences of society at large. That’s why the “transformation” we need requires our minds to be renovated and renewed, replacing godless perspectives and values with godly ones instead.

What threefold way does this statement describe the will of God?

God’s purposes and plans are good, acceptable and perfect. These are not three levels of the will of God (as in okay, better and best), but they are three qualities bundled together that describe God’s purposes for your life.

• His intentions for your life are good, which means they are generous and effective, excellent and virtuous.
• They are also acceptable, which means that they bring God joy and pleasure when you fulfill them; as a result, they will bring you ultimate joy and pleasure as well.
• They are also perfect, which means that they are complete and comprehensive, with no flaws or shortcomings. Following God’s plans for your life leads to full satisfaction and total success in all that truly matters.

How do you “prove” the will of God?

This does mean that you should somehow figure out whether God’s plans are better than the world’s before you cooperate with God in this process of change. Instead, it teaches that you will experience the superiority and pleasure, excellence and satisfaction of God’s purposes only when you put them into practice.

What is your role in this transformation process?

You must allow God to change your mindset from within. To be what he has designed you to be and to become what he has delivered you to become, you must cooperate with him. You do this by exposing yourself to the Word of God as a regular (and the supreme) influence in your life. As you do so, you must submit yourself to God whenever his new perspective contradicts the old perspective of the godless world you allowed to influence your views before. Ultimately, you should live out this new approach by making choices that align with the values and perspective of God’s Word.

A Personal Translation

Before you consider how to apply this truth to your life by allowing it to change your mindset and approach to life, write out a personal translation. Use what you have learned to write this verse in your own words.

Questions for Personal Application

1. Have you believed on Jesus Christ alone as your God and Savior? If not, what thoughts and values, questions or concerns are holding you back?
2. Identify some specific ways that the world is influencing your mindset? Name some sources of information, popular viewpoints, earthly/temporal priorities, or individual people that have given you advice and are affecting the way you think, act and make decisions.
3. How are these influences affecting your decisions? Give one or two examples of decisions you make and responses you have that reflect the values and advice of the fallen, broken world around us.
4. In what ways are you exposing yourself the Word of God on a daily and weekly basis?
5. In the course of a regular day and week in your life, who exerts the most influence on your thoughts – the Word of God or other worldly sources?
6. What does your level of exposure and attention to the Word of God reveal about your commitment to spiritual change?
7. How can you better cooperate with God in the process of changing the way you think about things and of fulfilling his perfect plan for your life?
8. Name two or three ways that you need to think and act like God? What challenges or temptations, scenarios or decisions do you face which require a new and godly mindset and approach?