A Message on Transformation

Webster's Dictionary defines "Transformation" as: a change of heart in man, by which his disposition and temper are conformed to the divine image; a change from enmity to holiness and love.

To summarize, person is changed in his heart. Changed and conformed to the divine image of holiness and love.

For what purpose is transformation? And why does the Bible talk of it? How do you get it? Glad you asked. I hope to impart wisdom that could save your bacon, or whatever else needs saving! Check out what God told Paul the apostle about His purpose for his ministry in Acts.

Acts 26:18

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

That is one dynamic scripture! He's saying, "Paul you're going to help people get saved, delivered, forgiven of sin, sanctified by faith of God and receive an inheritance. This process is transformation. God is the author of transformation! Imagine this: people needed someone's help, a minister, to receive what God had for them. We are God's ministers, are we not? Keep reading, it gets better.

Romans 12:2

"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."

Who are we proving this to? Us! It's Gods will that our minds be transformed and renewed. This appears to be the main purpose of transformation, so we can know and prove to ourselves what is God's good, acceptable and perfect will; probably because if we don't, guess who might sneak in there and steal it away? Yes, remember Mark chapter 4? And why would the devil try and steal it anyway? Because he doesn't want you to prove it to yourself and believe it! If you believe it, sanctifying faith will cause you to receive your inheritance!

Since transformation is renewing of your mind, let's define the word "Renew." It means, "to make new; to renovate; to transform; to change from natural enmity to the love of God and his law; to implant holy affections in the heart; to regenerate."

"Renew" and "transformation" are similar words with a couple of definition nuances. This is why we study words in depth, we want to understand fully.

I believe the main theme behind transformation is faith in God. The Lord wants you to receive something He has provided for you. It could be provision or healing. But in this case, I know it to be change of mind and heart so that you will be enabled to receive-period. God has many promises and provisions in His Word, all requiring faith to receive them.

Lets dig a little deeper into the word and see God's path for receiving. Receiving requires a renewed mind. Let's look at two more scriptures regarding renewing our minds.

Titus 3:5

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

Ephesians 4:23

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind."

Renewing of the mind is not brain tweaking but a spiritual process. The Holy Spirit is the one who works in us the process of renewing our minds. So, what is the process? Does God just do this for us without us realizing it? Or does He partner with us because we have free will…what do you think? Let's take a look at Mark 4.

Mark 4:14 (The sower sows the Word. The sower is you! The ground is your heart.)

15 "And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."

Let's look at Hosea 10:12, a familiar verse about farming. It is not really about farming but it uses farming language to make a spiritual point. It reads:

12 "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men."

Are you seeing the connection? Some call it sowing and reaping. But what you sow is the Word of God for the purpose of transformation. Why do we need it? Let me explain it this way. When someone gets sick, who do they call? What do they try and take to stop the symptoms? Everyone is a little different. If it is serious or life threatening maybe you get your Bible and read a few verses. So we enter into a conflict with self and spirit over which course of action is better and less hassle. We can end up anxious and unable to seek God for an answer. What we want to avoid is getting desperate before we seek God's word. In other words, we want to be sowing those seeds of faith in advance.

The transformation that God wants us to have has been built on years of feeding on the Word of God, listening to the truth of His word, and lots of praise, worship, and fellowship with the Father. The mind of the untransformed is always grasping and seeking frantically. Trying to get a record number of believers to pray and agree with them when they are desperate for healing or a breakthrough. Worrying over every new symptom. Always needs reassurance. Not sure if faith will work this time. But that isn't how God wants us to live! God is already at work on your transformation. He knows what you need and in what order you need it. It's up to you to agree and take action toward that transformation He is starting.

Did you know that God has a wish list? It is known as his perfect will for man (Romans 12:2). Here is God's wish list:

3 John 2

2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers

3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

Want to hear about some people who overcame and saw miracles happen after transformation? I'm talking Bible people:

Mark 10:46

46 "And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."

When did the transformation occur? An unknown period of time after he first heard of Jesus and that He healed people. He probably spent many hours mulling over reports he had heard from others healing. Don't ever discount the power of another's testimony!

Matthew 9:20

20 "And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour."

What? You might ask, "What did she have to overcome?" Off the top of my head, she'd have to overcome crowds, weakness, Levitical law, people yelling at her, etc. Let's look at Lev 15

Leviticus 15:25

25 "And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean."

Apparently this woman was in lockdown! She was in jeopardy of being discovered and turned in! It looks to me like she was transformed enough to have faith in Jesus and openly pursue Him despite the risks.

When did the transformation occur? An unknown period of time after she first heard of Jesus and that he healed people.

Finally: Parting thoughts

God wants this for you! It is yours for the receiving! James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."

Remember: Transformation is by the Holy Spirit. We can only seek God and agree to His way.

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP)

"But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]."

God is willing if we are. Approaching your situation this way will save you time. God loves you and wants you to be in health! Root causes and generational curses are nothing to the believer with a renewed mind. You too can prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

By the way, Healing Hub is open for prayer and teaching! We want to empower you to live in health and in God's perfect will.