The Hebrew word most often translated as “renewed” in the Old Testament is חָדַשׁ (ḥāḏaš), which means to make new, restore, or renew.

A related noun is חָדָשׁ (ḥāḏāš), meaning new or fresh.

Example: Psalm 51:10 (NKJV) – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew (חַדֵּשׁ, ḥaddeš) a steadfast spirit within me.”

Romans 12:1–2 emphasizes that transformation begins not merely with a renewed mind, but with full surrender to God, allowing His Spirit to bring renewal.

Surrender and Transformation: A Life Set Apart for God

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” —Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)

In Romans 12:2, since it’s in Greek, the word used is ἀνακαίνωσις (anakainōsis), meaning renewal, renovation, or transformation. If expressed in Hebrew, it would likely be rendered with ḥāḏaš or ḥālap̱, depending on the nuance of renewal.

True Change Begins with Surrender

Transformation in the Christian life is not merely about changing the way we think—it begins with complete surrender to God. Paul urges believers by the mercies of God to offer themselves as living sacrifices, emphasizing that true worship is not just external actions but the wholehearted submission of our lives to Him.

To be transformed, we must first yield ourselves to God’s authority, allowing His Spirit to shape us. Without this surrender, the renewal of the mind is impossible. True change—both in thought and action—requires placing ourselves under the discipline of the Holy Spirit and submitting to God’s Word as the final authority in our lives.

Conforming vs. Transforming: The Battle for the Mind

Paul warns that without surrender, we will naturally conform to the world’s way of thinking. The world teaches self-sufficiency, human wisdom, and moral compromise, but God calls us to something higher: transformation by the renewing of our minds.

Key Differences Between Conforming and Transforming:

• Conforming is external—it shapes behavior according to worldly patterns.
• Transforming is internal—it changes character through the Spirit’s work.
• Conforming happens by passively accepting the world’s influence.
• Transforming happens by actively submitting to God’s truth.

Conformity is effortless because it follows the natural inclinations of the flesh. Transformation, however, requires discipline, submission, and daily obedience to God’s Word and Spirit.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Renewal

Renewing the mind is not just about learning new information—it is about spiritual transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth (John 16:13), and this truth is what sanctifies us (John 17:17).

We cannot renew our minds in our own strength. This renewal happens as we yield to the Spirit’s discipline, allowing Him to convict, correct, and instruct us. When we resist the Spirit’s correction or neglect time in the Word, we hinder this transformation.

Obedience and the Power of God’s Promises

Many of God’s promises are conditional—while salvation is unconditional and received by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8–9), growth and blessing often require obedience (John 15:10).

• “If we confess our sins” (the premise), “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (the promise) (1 John 1:9).
• “In all your ways acknowledge Him” (the premise), “and He shall direct your paths” (the promise) (Proverbs 3:6).

Renewal does not happen without action. Transformation follows surrender, obedience, and the application of God’s Word.

Breaking the Old to Walk in the New

Romans 8:14 declares, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”The old self—the flesh—must be broken so that the new man in Christ can walk in the Spirit. Just as a seed must break before it can bring life, so must our self-will yield to God’s will for transformation to take place.

Transformation is the result (or “output”) of renewing.

Looking at Romans 12:2 in Greek:

• “Be transformed” – μεταμορφοῦσθε (metamorphousthe) → This is a passive verb, meaning the transformation is something God does in us.
• “By the renewing of your mind” – τῇ ἀνακαινώσει τοῦ νοός (tē anakainōsei tou noos) → The renewal (ἀνακαίνωσις, anakainōsis) happens in the mind, leading to transformation.

Breaking It Down:

1. Renewing of the Mind (input) → The Holy Spirit, through God’s Word, changes how we think, shaping us according to God’s truth.
2. Transformation (output) → As our minds are renewed, we are progressively transformed (metamorphousthe), becoming more like Christ in character, actions, and desires.

This means that renewal is the process, and transformation is the result. However, Romans 12:1 shows that this renewal begins with surrender—offering ourselves as a “living sacrifice” to God. Without that surrender, true renewal cannot take place, and transformation cannot happen.

Summary:

Living as a Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2 calls us to a life of surrender and transformation:

1. Surrender: Presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice is an act of true worship.
2. Renewal: The Holy Spirit renews our minds through God’s Word, leading to transformation.
3. Obedience: God’s promises are fulfilled as we submit to His discipline and walk in obedience.

A renewed mind does not happen in isolation—it is the fruit of a fully surrendered heart that is continually shaped by the Spirit through the Word of God. Only through submission to God, the discipline of the Holy Spirit, and the truth of His Word can we truly be transformed and walk in His perfect will, as a new creation in Christ.

Final Reflection: Transformation is not about striving harder but surrendering deeper. We are not called to merely improve our behavior, but to be made new by the Spirit of God. True renewal begins at the altar of surrender. As we yield to the discipline of His Word and Spirit, our thinking is reshaped, and our lives reflect His will. May we daily offer ourselves as living sacrifices—set apart, transformed, and wholly devoted to the One who renews all things.