Reply To: Christian Character Discussion Board 2

[saysay]

CHRISTIAN CHARACTER > CC 105 > LC: GROUP DISCUSSION 2
THE RENEWAL OF THE MIND IS CENTRAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AS A BELIEVER.
Christian Character as we have been taught is the quality that sets you apart; the quality that distinguishes you. It is the quality that projects God or shows the character of God in you. The character of God is the benchmark. God himself imparted His character in us at the new birth. We cannot do much with it except we make conscious effort to develop this character that God has imparted in us. This character must be developed if not it will be like the farmer, who after putting all efforts into clearing the bush, stumped and planted, walks away without tending. In this case, God has completed His part and left it for us to tend (develop). We have to put in effort to develop the Christian Character that God has imparted. Renewal of the mind is the principal thing.
WHAT IS RENEWAL OF THE MIND?
Renewal of the mind means, replacing the old pattern with the new. That is the old way of thinking or doing things by the Word of God and as patterned in the Bible. Romans 12:2. The renewal of the mind is what motivates you to pattern your character, to conform with God’s character. As we know, our character can repel or attract.
FIVE WAYS RENEWAL OF THE MIND CAN HELP DEVELOP YOUR CHARACTER AS A CHRISTIAN.
There are several ways. For this writing, we are staying with five:
a. Aligning with God and His Word is the first eye-opener. You study the Word and meditate on it. Joshua 1:8. There you begin to discover what God says about you because if you don’t know who you are and what God has said concerning you, you won’t know what to do as far as character development is concerned.
b. As you stay or have intercourse with the Word, you will begin to receive instructions on how to go about certain things as a Christian. Your approach to things, the way you relate with people, authority, etc. If you were that Christian who releases words anyhow, all of those would stop.
c. God has a purpose for us that we are designed to impact the world with that is unique to us alone. Renewal of the mind enables us to discover the purpose and focus on it.
d. Renewal of the mind can help us cultivate healthy habits that can affect us and the people around us as well.
e. Our thoughts have a major role to play in our character development. Our thought is a very good influencer either positively or negatively. Renewal of the mind can help us stay positive.
In summary, renewal of the mind is the key to Christian Character development. It can only be achieved by God’s grace.