Paranoia or Metanoia? Living with a Transformed Mind in the Finished Work of Christ

 

“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” — Romans 12:2 KJV

Many believers live in a quiet state of paranoia—always second-guessing their standing with God, questioning whether they've done enough, or if their faith is strong enough. This mindset reflects an underlying fear, one that religion often feeds but Grace destroys.

God never intended us to live beside the mind (the literal meaning of paranoia) but to live from a transformed mind—the mind of Christ, rooted in the truth of His finished work. That transformation is called metanoia—a complete change of thinking.

What is Metanoia?

Two Minds, One King

Two Minds, One King: Overcoming Double-Mindedness in the Fullness of Grace

Have you ever found yourself in a state of internal tug-of-war? One moment, you're confidently declaring God's promises and appropriating your inherited dominion in Christ, the next, a whisper of doubt or fear creeps in. One day, you're walking in victory, the next, old habits or worries resurface. This isn't just common; it’s what the Bible calls double-mindedness. In the world of Psychology, this inner turmoil is known as cognitive dissonance.

Cognitive dissonance is the mental distress or psychological angst someone feels when battling contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values.

When Jesus marvelled

The Bible records two distinct occasions when Jesus marvelled (θαυμάζω, thaumazō, meaning to wonder, to be amazed, to be astonished). These two instances stand in stark contrast, revealing what truly caught the attention of the Son of God.

To understand our own positions, it may be a good idea to take note of this.

The Baptism Controversy

Baptism: A Journey, A Controversy Resolved

Within the vast tapestry of Christian faith, few practices evoke as much discussion and varied interpretation as baptism. From the earliest days of the so-called church to our modern era, believers have grappled with its meaning, its mode, and its proper recipients. At its heart, however, all forms of Christian baptism should point to a foundational truth: the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. This post aims to explore the origins and practices of both infant and adult baptism, comparing them through the lens of biblical covenants and, most importantly, the finished work of Christ, while investigating the diverse theological understandings that underpinned religious doctrine and tradition.

Before we go into all of this, I thought it well to provide some wider perspective from an anthropological point of view.

You must be kidding

I love how Jesus just cuts to the point.

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them (Matthew 18:1-2).

Just that?

Food out of the Eater, Sweetness out of the Devourer

The Riddle: "Out of the eater came forth food, and out of the strong came forth sweetness." (Judges 14:14)

This riddle, given by Samson, isn't just a clever puzzle; like many ancient parables and prophetic utterances (e.g., in Proverbs 1:6 or Psalm 78:2), it carries a deeper, veiled truth. From a New Covenant, grace perspective, it becomes a powerful metaphor for the triumph of Christ and the lavish blessings that flow from His completed victory.

Sometimes it is difficult to see the forest for the trees … or the trees for the forest being bogged down in minutiae and losing sight of what's truly important or how everything fits together. On the other hand our over-generalization may cause us to lose touch with the practical realities because we get too absorbed in our doctrines, our theology and church traditions (Mark 7:13).

Say and send away

The Royal Mandate: Exercising Inherited Dominion Through Christ's Finished Work

Kingdom dominion!

What?!

Do we even have dominion?

Yesterday, I was reading Matthew 28 (the very last verses of the last chapter of Matthew) where Jesus commissions us to go out and do the unthinkable. I re-read a note there that I scribbled way back: "Jesus has all the power (authority) and He gave us delegated authority and jurisdiction to overcome our obstacles in this world."

But that is not true!

What is the will of God?

The Echo of His Voice: Discovering the Will of God Through Christ's Finished Work

Recently, I tuned into an online podcast teaching about "How to know the will of God." A great question indeed! But to my surprise, the podcast teacher, despite being part of a grace-focused ministry (which I highly recommend, and whose founder I consider a mentor), seemed to miss the truly Greater Answer. It was a whisper to my spirit, a revelation that brought exceeding peace and comfort, even as the teacher continued his lengthy explanation.

Should I explain? Let's dive in.

Beyond and above - ask

The Echo of His Voice: A New Covenant Prayer – From Begging to Demanding in Our Inheritance in Christ

In one of my last posts I touched upon a profound shift in New Testament prayer—a radically different approach compared to the old covenant prayers some of us, perhaps unknowingly, still offer. There’s a crucial distinction, and honestly, if this seems revolutionary, don’t blame me!

Blame Paul! Or rather, credit the transformative revelation given to Paul concerning the finished work of Christ.

The truth is, there’s a monumental difference between the Old Covenant (which, unless you were an Israelite, you were never truly part of) and the New Testament. And this difference reveals a total and fundamentally new way to pray.

You are an heir in the Kingdom of God. Now, pray like you are!

What do we then understand as Prayer?

Dead Bones and Life

Listening to the song “Rattle” by Brandon lake, I was reminded of our powerful 2020 hindsight following the cross and the finished work of Jesus that makes the dead come alive … just by touching …

The Story of the dead bones

The account in 2 Kings 13:20-21 is a curious one, often overlooked in the grand narrative of the Bible. It tells of a dead man, hastily thrown into Elisha's tomb, who, upon contact with the prophet's bones, is miraculously revived. “So Elisha died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they saw a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.” (2 Kings 13:20-21, KJV).

At first glance, this story might seem like a strange, almost macabre miracle, a testament to the lingering power of a prophet even in death.