Romans 12:2 English Standard Version ESV Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Renew our minds to be transformed. It does not say how to renew the mind nor does it say what needs to change. This may lead you to wonder; what’s wrong with the way I think? This may be more difficult to explain than a mere 300 words here can provide.

What language do we speak? What we hear and are taught. Our first contact with language is familial and if it is the habit of the family to explain things, we learn to think in the manner that family dictates.

At some point teaching takes on a wider arena of responsibility to provide more information than busy parents can accomplish. Where we attend school now has a role in educating the mind. There are various schools of thought and we might not be aware of that during our primary instructions.

Does that education system teach you how to think or what to think? Boards of education around the world choose what materials will be used in there school systems. Few use the bible as a primary source of information about how to think. It was not always that way.

At one time in our past Americans were taught to read and right and to think using bibles that were more available than other literary materials. Poor education systems had to use what was available.

As time progressed and incomes increased other materials were purchased and the bible was no longer used in school. That became a matter of the home and church to provide lessons in righteousness, mercy, grace, justice and love. All that was left out of the new school system that was educating children and preparing them to make their way in the world.

Where did we learn to feel good about ourselves then?

Deuteronomy 11:18 English Standard Version (ESV) You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

How many bible verses have you placed at your disposal to ward of attacks of the enemy? Perhaps you have a few that give you peace or joy. We have favorites that are easier to recall than others. Few of us have the whole bible memorized. Most of us do not have total recall. There is a scientific name for it but I don’t remember it. That is why I have a computer.

Our phones are mini computers and handy for looking up passages but this is a memory test. If you have some favorite scripture that is readily available for you to quote, what is it? Everyone knows John 3:16. It is so often quoted that even non-believers reluctantly know it. They don’t believe it but they know it.

So here is the test. Quote one that is at the forefront of your mind. Got it chapter and verse? Good.

Now what is the next verse? If you know it great. Now look them up and check for accuracy.

For those of us that could not recall the next line, look it up and ask yourself this question: Is it an important verse worthy of remembering? Does it contain value?

Here is my failed attempt to remember. “I love you, O Lord, my strength.” I failed to remember there is no Psalm 17:16 and the next verse in the bible is Psalm 18:1.

Deuteronomy 11:18 says to place His Word in our hearts not our minds. The mind is flesh and subject to decay. We often condemn ourselves for not memorizing enough scripture as if it was what makes a difference. It is not. It is those verses we take to heart with loving care that changes us.