Remember When…?

“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.” Romans12:2

Many years ago, I remember when a particular television show shocked the country when it became the first program to show the back view of an unclothed man. For days before the program aired, the show was denounced as immoral and wicked, and again and again, viewers were warned not to watch it. Once it aired, the backlash was quick and fierce, but that soon faded.

I remember when the first homosexual event happened on a television program. Once again, there was a public outcry against it. Boycott the network! Boycott its sponsors! People were once again shocked and repulsed, but that soon faded.

I remember when music became more sinful and more violent, incorporating much more than a truck, a beer, and the loss of a good woman. The lyrics now promoted drugs, rape, anarchy, and murder. The public protested such atrocities in the songs that young people were listening to, but that soon faded away.

I remember when marijuana was illegal, and people fought against its legalization, but sadly, those voices also faded away.

Our minds have gradually become desensitized to the sin and depravity of our culture. Today, it is nearly impossible to find programming that doesn’t include some kind of egregious sin. Even so-called family programming on television includes “alternative lifestyles” in its movies and weekly shows. Likewise, much of today’s music continues to promote behaviors that once were considered inappropriate, immoral, and even illegal.

How has this happened? Our thinking has been reprogrammed to view these atrocities as normal because today’s culture has indoctrinated us into a passive acceptability. In order for us to fight it, we must “renew” our minds… reset them to align with what is right and good in the sight of the Lord. It’s kind of like when a computer is not working properly and has to be reset to its original factory settings. We have to do the same with our thinking processes.

The only way to do this is through the Word of God. It is the only absolute truth defining right and wrong. We have to purge our minds of sinful thinking and replace it with holy thinking. That only comes from the Bible, which enables us to identify sin, reject it, and then receive the righteous thoughts with which God desires to fill us.

Renewing our minds is not a one-time occurrence. Satan attacks us non-stop, and he is relentless. We must be equally diligent in renewing our minds. The only way to keep a protective barrier around our thought processes is by immersing ourselves continually in the only weapon we have… the Word of God.

We are in a war for the souls of men, and we must not be passive warriors. Do not allow Satan to find a home in your head. Renew your mind daily by reading and meditating on God’s Word. It is only by doing so that you will be able to “stand against the wiles of the devil,” (Ephesians 6:11) and go forward for Christ.

Renew me, O eternal Light, and let my heart and soul be bright,
Illumined with the light of grace that issues from Your holy face.

Remove the pow’r of sin from me and cleanse all my impurity
That I may have the strength and will temptations of the flesh to still.

Create in me a new heart, Lord, that gladly I obey Your Word.
Let what You will be my desire, and with new life my soul inspire.

Grant that I only You may love and seek those things which are above
Till I behold You face to face, O Light eternal, through Your grace.

(From “Renew Me, O Eternal Light” by Johann Friedrich Ruopp)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

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I’d love to read some of the verses that have renewed your mind! Please feel free to send them to me!