Do you think you can afford to mess around with this “be transformed” business? I have messed around with it. I’ve given it little attention at times. I have shot up prayers to God, “help me, Lord” with no serious intention of helping myself in the matter. I’m just feigning a need to be close to Him for protection and reveling in the temptation that I need to be removed from.
God means for us to be transformed, and the transformation happens in the renewing of our minds. This will not happen to me while I am wasting time or pursuing fruitless pleasures. It requires a putting out of my mind that which is worldly and a putting into my mind that which will transform me. There is only one force powerful enough to transform this mind of mine: God’s Word.
I’m getting serious because “my fears have worn me out.” I need to take the things that I know will destroy me and crucify them. For every wrong, unkind, selfish, bitter, vain, hurtful, wasteful, envious, impatient, manipulative way or thought I give in to, I will stop and along with what should be the normal repentance, I’m going to pray for five minutes for someone less fortunate than myself. This is to redirect my thinking.
Every time I am tempted to waste time (go ahead and write down what just came to your mind that is a waste of time for you) I am going to read another chapter of Scripture. This is to remove the opportunity for the flesh and Satan to turn that time into sin.
I need transformation like I need God, and I Do Need God.