Renew the mind Archives | Christian Learning & News

Ariana Walker

The CEO of Mercy UK, Ariana Walker, shared a profound insight on renewing the mind during her interview with J.John. While the world terms it “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,” the Bible also discusses transforming one’s mind. It was written in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Then, she continued by explaining the meaning of the verse, “When you have a belief system that says, I’m not worthy, I’m not good enough, I’ll never make it. Those are not God’s thoughts about you. They’re your thoughts about you.” Moreover, she explained that negative thoughts may stem from external influences or past traumatic experiences, shaping disempowering belief systems.

Arianna Walker Shares A Practical Way To Renew The Mind

“Keys to Freedom” [ J.John]. YouTube, 7 August 2023,

“I Am” Statements

Furthermore, she urged individuals to align their negative thoughts with Christ. Ariana reminded those grappling with negative thoughts that Christ died for them on the cross. “You are worth what He says you’re worth. You’re His daughter, you’re His son,” she emphasized. Additionally, she suggested that those struggling with mental battles could discover empowering “I am” statements in the Bible to affirm their true identity in the Lord. The Scriptures are replete with words that can transform their self-perception.

She discussed the next step after declaring the “I am” statements. People would go through a process. “It’s not a magic brainwash. This is a process,” she stated. She reminded them that whenever they heard destructive voices, they should instead focus on what the Word of God said. Finally, she emphasized that individuals couldn’t combat thoughts with thoughts alone but could conquer them by vocalizing them.

Watch the full video here.

Reference | J.John

Header Image: “Keys to Freedom” [ J.John]. YouTube, 7 August 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W1QFsoalNE

Vibrancy and vitality of spirit are key – but how does this happen? “So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honourable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. Fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always.” (Philippians‬ ‭4:8) ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬How are you moving towards knowing Him fully?

Knowing Him

How can we “take thoughts captive?” How can we “keep our eyes on Jesus”? How do we “overcome“? How do we go from “one degree of glory to another“? How do we “defeat sin and temptation“? How do we “sit with Jesus in heavenly places“?

The above quotes from the Bible are familiar enough and we probably think we understand what they mean and how amazing their truth is. However, the question is, are they in any way real and visible in our everyday life. Are they part of our personal reality? They are all attainable because they are part of what Jesus bought on the cross and what He invites us to experience. It’s time, to be honest; otherwise, we are just kidding ourselves and others. God is calling us to break through into a new place of “knowing Him” where these things become our daily experience.

Quality Time

We want to do them all but where do you begin? Whilst there are practical disciplines and habits we can employ to help us, the shift only happens from a place of “abiding”, entwinement, stillness, and intimacy with God. As we often don’t really perceive the value of this place of abiding, it can be a slow process; although it appears that trials, suffering, loss, and isolation can be accelerators of it. The main commodity that needs to be invested is time – both quality and quantity.

Renewing The Mind

One key “shift” on this journey to a new reality is to restore the place of our “spirit” and bring our soul (mind, emotions, and will) and our body under its authority. A mind that is renewed by the spirit (small‘s’) can think and see in a different way. Why did Jesus speak in parables so often? He wasn’t into just dispensing information that could be accepted “in faith”. He spoke in such a way that people had to consider what He meant and they had to spend a lot of time thinking about what He had said before they could even get to the point where that could believe it “by faith”.

Knowing Him: Final Words

In a world full of theologians proclaiming information about knowing Him and how God relates to us, Jesus was different. He didn’t even make his message clear. He spoke in parables, in pictures, none of which had a quick or obvious explanation. It was not the acceptance of information that He deemed important but people’s engagement.

When we engage our spirit-led minds, our conclusions belong to us fully. When we utilise our spirit-renewed mind we authentically start to engage and encounter and only then do our beliefs truly become our own.

Navigator Jo