Fundamental Keys To Unlock The Plan Of God

There is a need for each of us to renew our minds with God's Word. It is a critical step in our being able to discover the plan and purposes of God. I believe that we can't fulfill God's plan without first renewing our minds with His Word!

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Many Christians struggle with understanding the difference between their soul and spirit. God's Word is a "two-edged" sword. We use it to find the division between our soul and spirit. There is a vast difference between the two, but it is not possible to understand what that is without a deep foundation in God's Word.

God is spirit. We are, first of all, spirit beings created in His image. When a person invites Jesus to be their Savior, their "spirit" is made new, and they are made a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17) that did not previously exist.

Jesus spoke with Nicodemus about the need to become "born again" (John 3:3). He was referencing the experience of a person who believes in their heart that He is Lord and confesses His Lordship with their mouth.

I believe people struggle with identifying the plans and purpose of God is rooted in an ignorance of their spiritual nature. They operate in the natural realm and base all decisions on the input received from their five physical senses.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:5-8

We begin the journey into the plan of God by presenting our bodies as living sacrifices. This a necessary first step. Many have taken it only to fall into error. They did not take the next step which is to renew their minds with God’s Word.

We need to become living sacrifices, but we must also develop a foundation in God's Word. Satan has successfully led many Christians into error who were willing to do whatever God called them to do but did not have a foundation built on the Word of God.

There is a balance between becoming a living sacrifice and the renewal of our minds. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of developing a revelation of God through His Word.

We need to become living sacrifices, but we must also develop a foundation in God's Word. Satan has successfully led many Christians into error who were willing to do whatever God called them to do but did not have a foundation built on the Word of God.

2 And 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.

Romans 12:2

The word translated "conform" means "to be poured into a mold". Life will test us. We choose which "mold" that will shape us. The carnally minded person is living from the mold shaped by their five physical senses and society. We can keep the world from affecting us by giving ourselves to careful, considerate, and prayerful study of Scripture every day.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Matthew 24:12

We live in a world that is abounding in iniquity. It is almost impossible to turn on the television without being confronted with perversion. Far too many Christians have allowed themselves to be affected by society. They have had their love for the things of God grow cold as a result.

The ungodliness of this world will squeeze us into its "mold" if we do not renew our minds to God's Word. Through renewing our minds, we protect ourselves from becoming "carnally" minded and spiritually frigid.

We become "transformed" by allowing our minds to be "washed" by the living water found only in God's Word (Ephesians 5:26). The word translated "transformed" is "metamorphoó." It describes the process of being changed from a mindset that is "earthbound" to one focused on the spiritual realm.

We translate this same Greek word most commonly into the English word metamorphosis. The process of renewing our minds is like the process a caterpillar undergoes in its cocoon. It enters as a lowly, earthbound creature and transforms into a beautiful butterfly. In the same sense, Christians enter the cocoon of God's Word bound by their carnal minds and emerge "transformed" in the image of Christ.

It seems that there are very few Christians who understand the things we are discussing. We see this by the way they pray. If you don't believe this, then think about the following examples of common prayers:

"God, please heal my body."

"God, please help me pay these bills."

God, please fix my marriage."

We all know that God can do anything, but the majority mistakenly think that change occurs through prayer. Prayer is essential, but most people are not engaging in it the way Jesus taught His disciples to pray.