February 1
‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’ Romans 12:2
Bible reading: Colossians 2:8-10 (Go to the Bible passage)
Paul begins the passage of today with a warning, ‘See to it,’ or in other words, ‘Watch out!’
This is thus a call to be vigilant. Paul tells us to ensure ‘that no one takes us captive’. The original word used here, means: to lead one away from the truth to be subdued. To be subdued to what? The apostle says, to a ‘hollow and deceptive philosophy’.
Paul says this ‘philosophy’ is dangerous, because it can distract from the ‘truth’. What is philosophy? It is a pursuit of wisdom and knowledge. Is that so dangerous? The Bible says of wisdom, ‘The wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish’ (Isaiah 29:14), and of knowledge: ‘Knowledge puffs up while love builds up’ (1 Corinthians 8:1).
Of course there is also spoken positively about wisdom and knowledge in the Bible. But the warning remains.
The Bible verse of today explains to us where the danger lies: ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’
When Jesus reveals Himself in someone’s life, then there is wonder about Who He is. Paul calls this the ‘fullness’, which then will be revealed: that, which is filled with the presence of Christ. This ‘fullness’ is the share of the person who has received ‘a renewed mind’ through the revelation of Christ in his life ... Who lives out of this wonder can no longer be carried away by ‘the elemental spiritual forces of this world’ - the thought patterns of this world - but will be determined by everything Jesus teaches him.

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