It is clear from scripture that the spirit of a believer is not in a fixed state of strength. Just as the human body weakens if it does not eat and sleep – so the spiritual body of a believer also wanes in strength over time if not rejuvenated through the Holy Spirit. We are constantly winding down in our hearts and minds as we confront the evil of each day. It is for this reason the Word of God exhorts us to be renewed and transformed in our spirits.
The world ages and weakens us. The flesh is hostile to the health of our inner men, and therefore must be put down. Behind these twin enemies is the devil, controlling and contorting the world’s system to rile the flesh. The longer the spirit is left unrenewed, the more feeble it becomes and thus susceptible to becoming overwhelmed. But God shows us how to stay new in spirit by remaining connected to His Spirit. Apart from His Power, we are dead; we are like withering branches and fish pulled from the sea. But the moment we reconnect to Him we are given restorative life, fresh power, blood-washing and victorious grace.
We are called to be renewed, first of all, in the spirit of our minds. The Heavenly-minded man or woman is always fighting a war in their mind to keep Jesus Christ the object of their preoccupation. Like Old Testament manna, they know the nourishment they received yesterday is unfit for consumption today. It must be new; today’s bread must proceed directly from the mouth of God. In order for the spirit to receive the bread, the mind must cease thinking upon and being entertained by worldly information and vanity. This requires a deliberate action on the part of the believer, as God will not force the mind to look to Christ.
He instead waits, and when He sees the mind of a believer resisting the world and flesh in its attempt to look to Him for spiritual renewal, He accepts the effort and infuses newness through the knowledge of Christ. The renewing of the mind is like the refueling of an automobile. When our spirits run out of gas we stop going forward with God and become sitting prey on the side of the highway for the enemy. Sadly, many Christians are broken down on the side of the road, walking with their heads down, dejected and defeated and depressed. They’ve run out of gas; their spirits are old and worn and too weak to fight. They need renewal.
Healthy Christians are daily-renewed Christians, full of Christ’s life and power over sin. They see themselves as living amidst an ever-flowing fountain of blood and grace. They keep a careful watch over their minds and hearts. They are quick to confess secret sins in the inward parts. They cherish their Father’s holiness and seek to be continuously filled and refilled with His Spirit to face the wicked challenge each day brings. They have learnt what to do to keep their tanks full and prevent roadside calamities.
Begin to see your mind as a receptor for the spirit's condition. Use it to connect with God at the beginning of each day to be made new and kept afresh. Employ your spirit through holy meditation to dwell upon Christ’s majestic goodness. Accustom the spirit of your mind to seek His renewal; to cleanse you in His blood, to give you grace to overcome sin in the moment of temptation, to give you grace and power and compassion for others. He is ready to do this for you each day, all day. Have faith that He hears your request as you look to Him through eyes of humility and weakness. Tell Him you are a failure without His strength; that you are old and worn and weak. Confess that your cup will run dry, your tank will go empty if He withhold His newness of life from your spirit.
God is not partial to anyone, but abundantly giving to all who call on Him in true humility. Blessed renewals of power and grace are waiting to flow from His Hand to the spirits His children.
Brother Paul
http://understandingmortification.wordpress.com/2012/10/14/daily-renewal-in-the-spirit-of-the-mind/
