In order for us to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5), we must fully understand what it means to be new creatures in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17) We are no longer the sinful people we were, we are new in Christ.

What has to pass away, is our old sinful, and self-serving mindset. “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.” (Rom. 12:2)

John Piper says: “Transformation is not switching from the to-do list of the flesh to the to-do list of the law. When Paul replaces the list — the works — of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21), he does not replace it with the works of the law, but the fruit of the Spirit.”

A worldly response to what happened to me the other day would be to become angry and want to “get back at” those who hurt me. But we are to walk in the Spirit, and produce visible fruit of the Spirit for God’s glory. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Gal. 5:22-23)

The Word this morning reminds me that what the world does to us is because the world is sinful. My response must be to share the light of the Lord for His glory. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Thank you, Lord, for your reminder that first and foremost my testimony must show the world Your love, Your light, and that You have overcome the world. As Your child, I also have Your power in Christ to overcome the world. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Rev. 12:11)