In the previous blog on temptation, I mentioned six main points: 1) Our “battle” is with spiritual forces of evil. 2) Our “battlefield” is the mind. 3) Temptation, which occurs in the mind, is not sin. 4) Temptation must be stopped in the mind before it leads to sin. (Our thoughts do not define us; our responses define us.) 5) Our temptations are not unique and are not beyond dealing with. 6) Jesus has experienced our temptations and can help us through them. I want to expand upon point #4 by taking a close look at Romans 12:2:
Do not permit yourself to be conformed to this present age, but be allow yourself to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God– what is good and well-pleasing and perfect. (Rom 12:2)
Technical, but important, notes:
· The two verbs for “conform” and “transform” are imperatives (commands) in the middle/passive voice. The significant point is that we are recipients of external forces that act upon us, but we have roles to play, both negative (not to be conformed) and positive (to be transformed).
· “Age” here is often translated as “world,” but what is significant is a negative nuance. The present “age” is under the dominion of sin and death as opposed to being of the Kingdom of God’s Spirit and life.
· One verb, dokimazo, is here translated by two, “test and approve,” because the sense is that one assays something for what is genuine or not in order to choose the genuine.
· “Mind” is a term I should have clarified in my last post. In Greek, mind (nous related words) is more than a faculty of reason. It includes apprehension and comprehension with volitional commitment.
Commentary
Living in this “age” puts us in the position of being conformed to that which is not of God’s will. As mentioned in the last post, there is a dimension which is adversarial to God. We are to resist being shaped in that negative direction. The area of conflict is the “mind” where temptations arise in the form of our thoughts and desires. In our culture, I sometimes hear people conclude that they are what they think: “God made me, this is what I desire, so this must be who I am.” No, the “mind” is the testing/assaying ground in which thoughts and desires are to be assessed as of God or not. We are to submit our minds to God so that they increasingly become transformed in the likeness of Jesus’ mind. We are to create mental habits that tests our desires, discerns what is God’s pleasing and perfect will, and rejects what is not. This involves mental discipline: “we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ” (2Cor 10:5b). It also calls for spiritual disciplines of prayer, study, and fellowship that increase our sensitivity to God’s Presence. It is not easy. However, anything that aligns us with the will of God brings its own reward of peace.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.” (Phi 4:8 NET)
Jesus, my thought life is not easy to control, but I want it brought under your reign. I want to think and desire that which is pleasing to you. Transform me. Amen.
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