In Mark 12:19-27, the Sadducees (who do not believe in the resurrection) give Jesus a ridiculous hypothetical situation about a woman who married seven brothers in succession after the previous one died They ask Him this question: “Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as a wife.” In response to this, Jesus said, ‘Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?’”

There are two things to know: the Scriptures and the power of God. If we know the Scriptures (truth), we will overcome the lies we believe and become free (John 8:32). If we know the power of God, we will experience and cause supernatural breakthrough reaching to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). We need both word and power in our lives if we want to see personal and influential transformation. 

Today I will share two habits that will help you know both the Scriptures and the power of God in greater ways. I will do so by examining the word “transformation” in the Bible.

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” My life has been changed by this Romans 12:2 truth. The word “transformed” comes from the Greek word metamorphoo and means “to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure.” It is found four times in the New Testament:

• Matthew 17:2 – “(Jesus) was transfigured before (His disciples). His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.”
• Mark 9:2-3 – “He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.”
• 2 Corinthians 3:18 – “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.”
• Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

To be transformed means to be changed into another form. It happened to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, and it will happen to us as we apply these two habits:

• Beholding the glory of the Lord
• Renewing our minds

How do we behold the glory of the Lord? We will increase the likelihood of this happening by:

• Regularly abandoning ourselves in corporate worship
• Participating in “soaking prayer” – here is a great article by Wendy on this 
• Adoration – thank and praise God for specific parts of HIs nature
• Seeking God’s face, not just His hand – desiring the promise giver more than the promise
• Keeping fresh hunger for God as our top priority

How do we renew our minds? We will increase the likelihood of this happening by:

• Saturating ourselves in Scripture
• Not trusting any belief that does not have hope attached to it
• Declaring regularly the truths of our identity and what God has promised we have and can do
• Aggressively demolishing self-limiting beliefs
• Learning to live by what God has spoken into our lives

We need both of these transformational habits, not just one of them. Most people would tend to lean toward one or the other. There are the beholders and there are the mind renewers. Which do you have a greater passion for? Answering this question will help you grow in self-awareness and will promote healthy balance in your life.

Let’s look at what our tendencies will be if we prioritize one of these more than the other. 

Beholding His glory but not renewing the mind: 

• More prone to believe feelings in order to validate what is true
• More prone to overly process and overly emphasize vulnerability (often talking ourselves right into unbelief)
• More prone to believe the anointed environment or person is what makes us free rather than what we believe

Renewing the mind without beholding His glory:

• More prone to devalue intimacy with Jesus because of being overly focused on principles and formulas for success
• More prone to be in denial about areas that need intervention or help from others
• More prone to have faith in faith itself rather than in the person of Jesus and in His finished works

Let’s make sure we are both a beholder and a mind-renewer. It will keep us from getting side-tracked by pointless discussions like the Sadduccees did (and keep us centered on what Jesus said was actually important). When we combine both of these in our lives, they become catalytic habits which bring radical transformation. You and the world around you will be glad you did!