[Week 3] Renewing Your Mind: The Path to Knowing God's Will (Romans 12:1-2)

Josh FriendJosh Friend on 2026 Scripture Memorization - - No Comments

This week, we are memorizing Romans 12:1-2.

This song, Romans 12:1-2, has a really special place in my heart. When I was young, I remember wishing I could know what God's will was. I remember thinking: “If He's in control, if He's the God who created the universe, the one who has plans for me, the one who created all things and in him all things move and have their being, then I ought to know His will.” But I had no idea how to even begin. His thoughts are higher than my thoughts. His ways are higher than my ways. How was I going to bridge that gap?

The Answer Was In His Word All Along

This passage explains it clearly, and I love that every translation of the Bible gives the same clarity: you need to be transformed by renewing your mind.

Renewing your mind. That's the key.

The truth is, your mind is actually being renewed all the time, just like your skin cells are constantly regenerating. I don't remember the stat, but you have entirely new skin just about every month! And in just the same way, your mind is constantly becoming new.

So, the question isn't whether your mind is being renewed. The question is: what are you renewing it with?

What Are You Consuming?

Are you renewing your mind with junk from TV or social media? With gossip about other people and how they're making mistakes and aren't as good as you clearly are?

Or are you renewing your mind with a good audiobook on the way to work? With a podcast that challenges you to grow? Are you renewing your mind with Philippians 4:8, whatever is true, honorable, just, pure? With information and conversation that uplifts you, encourages you, reminds you of who you are in Christ and who you're meant to be?

What are you listening to on the way to work? What are you putting into your head at work? On the way home? When you're with your children? After they go to bed?

What This Requires

Renew your mind. This is the command here.

Don't take it lightly. When you renew your mind with the garbage and filth, you will have no idea what God's will is. I couldn't imagine a worse place to be.

I don't judge or condemn you if you've been renewing your mind with ungodly things. But I do ask, I plead with you, that you would renew your mind with God's word, with encouraging words and ideas, uplifting conversation, with words that remind you who you are, why you're here, and what God has for you.

And, as I've learned and experienced, when you renew your mind with God's Word and godly content and conversation, you will be able to discern His good, pleasing, and perfect will for your life.

Photo by Mike Lewis HeadSmart Media on Unsplash

Josh Friend

I am a builder at heart, blending technology, creativity, and leadership to create tools and experiences that serve families, teams, and communities. My work spans product strategy, software development, education, and creative media, with a focus on clarity, craftsmanship, and long-term impact. I enjoy turning complex ideas into practical systems, whether that is a thoughtfully designed app, a clear decision-making framework, or a meaningful piece of creative work. Much of what I build lives at the intersection of faith, family, and technology, always aiming to help people grow, steward well, and move forward with purpose.

Nashville, Tennessee

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