Growing up, I received much instruction which focused on outward appearance. Tiny details of clothing were taught to be very important. We followed and upheld each rule as if it were gospel, when, in fact, the gospel was largely ignored in the rules and regulations.
I am grieved that the focus was on making appearance the priority, while ignoring what God prioritizes. An example was in quoting Romans 12:2.
“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
Many times, I heard the first six words quoted, but then the quote abruptly stopped right in the middle of the sentence. “Be not conformed to this world.”
God then says we need a renewed mind, and that it will transform us.
The teaching I received was to keep rules and look different so I would not be like the world. I was never taught anything about the mind. How I wish I had been taught to bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). The result was an undisciplined mind.
Our mind is where both good and evil begin. No one can see into our minds; therefore, others cannot regulate or control our minds.
Uncontrolled thoughts will defile us. Because I never learned to control my mind, I suffered the consequences: negative thoughts about others, morally impure thoughts, etc.
Colossians 3 tells us that if we are risen with Christ, we are to set our affections (thoughts) on things above, not on things on the earth. The chapter continues to teach about putting off, mortifying evil thoughts, and many other things that come out of the mind or heart. Then, we are to put on. Again, what we are to put on has nothing to do with our outward appearance, but rather mercy, kindness, meekness, forbearance, forgiveness, and more. These are all things of the heart that start in the mind.
Many times, I ask God to give me a renewed mind, to give me a pure mind, to give me the kind of mind that transforms.
These are things that transform from the inside out. Never does the outward appearance transform the inside. It is the pure, renewed mind that is set on things above (not on things upon the earth) that changes us more into the image of Christ.
So, to not be like the world, we need a new mind and a new heart. It is disastrous to try to have a pure heart or life by making the outward appearance the priority. All you get is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
No matter how much wool you use to cover a wolf, it is still a wolf. No matter how much plain, drab, or uncomfortable clothing you put on an unregenerate person, that person is still alienated from a holy God.
In Hebrews 10, God gives us an exceeding great and precious promise.
Talking about the New Covenant, God said,
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” (Hebrews 10:16).
When God writes His laws in our minds, then truly we have a renewed mind that brings forth a transformed life. Praise the Lord Jesus!