REANIMATION - PART 10

FRIDAY 28 MARCH 2025

Why do saints who are constantly reanimated always perceive all things "pertaining to life" quite differently? This is because the Word of God, which is the body of knowledge dealing with divine reanimation, communicates the language of the heavenly and divine notions that embody God's peculiar mysteries, which are of transcendental importance - in building a righteous mindset. More below!

Reference: 2nd Corinthians 4:16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day."

When our perceptions of life's eventualities and prime concerns are shaped by our reanimating experiences, it means that our interests, desires, and how we mindfully process everything we encounter - come from the standpoint of engaging the influence of divine realities or Biblical revelations. This means that as born again Christians with renewed minds, we can perceive an exact same situation differently, unlike the unbelieving ones.

What makes our spiritual perception quite different from that of those in the world - is that we constantly renew our minds with the Word; hence we don't all perceive things the same way. Unbelievers may NOT perceive evil men who plot and mastermind evil schemes - as WEAKLINGS, while the superior, powerful person in Christ, whose inner man is constantly renewed - will perceive the same perpetrators as victims held bound by insignificant and defeated devil, plus their uncultured and unrewarding actions as an opportunity to exercise their faith and demonstrate the victory of Christ in their world, thus putting any ungodly chaffs where they belong.

To that effect, Philippian 4:8 reads, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (ESV). In other words, think differently in accordance with God's perspectives, by focusing your mind on the things that are godly important, and refuse to reason like the rest of the world.

When you are constantly awakened in your mind to do so, that's godly wisdom in operation. Yes, perceive and think of all the right things, and then, practise them on a regular basis, or at any given moment. When all of these things, such as variety of verifiable justifications [which are named as pure, lovely, commendable, and are of excellent worth and high praise] make up your conscious MIND, they will empower you to interact with the people and the world around you, in a godly manner, accompanied by rewarding effects.

Pauline epistolary expression numbered as Philippians 2:5 (NIV) reads, "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." Did you notice that apostle Paul never said, "Have the same character as Christ Jesus"? Of course, there is such thing as Christ-like character but precedently, it can only be shaped by the mind of Christ. So this verity implies that mind-based perception and character are two different things.

Although our mindful perceptions influence our attitudinal paradigm, mindset has got to do with how we interpret the world around us, and it is a term particularly influenced and regulated by our environmental upbringing, practising beliefs, spiritual understanding and earthly priorities. Simply put, our characters play out as a result of the dispositions that make up our mindset. This is the reason Pauline epistolary exhortation numbered as Romans 12:2 reads:

"And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]."

Altering your spiritual perception progressively - by means of renewing your mind through the Word doesn't just involve becoming consciously aware of the image you are being transformed into, after cogitating on the Word - with ardent alacrity, the process also empowers your brain to analyse, interpret, and categorize the revelatory insights you've sensed and extracted from the Word - in an accurate manner, which is an added advantage. Stay tuned for the final part. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Acts 20:32; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Ephesians 4:22-23; 1 Peter 2:2.

Exuberant Declaration:

I am not eagerly conformed to the pattern of this world, but I'm readily conformed to the dictates of the Word, which steadily transform me into the image of Christ - by the resolute renewing of my mind. Hallelujah!