Intro: What Is a Right Mind, Righteous Mind, Renewed Mind, and What Is Holiness?
Many people seek change by trying to correct one sin at a time, but the Bible calls us to something far deeper: a transformed mind. This article explores what the right mind, righteous mind, and renewed mind truly are, and answers the question, what is holiness, using scripture to explain how the Holy Spirit leads us into holiness, not by our effort alone, but by changing our very nature.
A Right Mind: Separated From the World
The Bible gives us glimpses of what it means to have a right mind:
“And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” – Mark 5:15, KJV
A man once ruled by demons was now in his right mind, not because he read a book or mastered a technique, but because he encountered Jesus. A right mind is one that is:
- Free from bondage and worldly thinking.
- Grounded in trust and love for God.
- No longer tricked by the illusions of the flesh and the philosophies of this world.
Too many people believe they are the answer. But if we were the answer, we never would have been the problem. A right mind realizes the truth of Romans 8:6:
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
A Righteous Mind: Rooted in the Spirit
The righteous mind is not just about doing good things; it’s about being transformed by the Holy Spirit to want God’s will above all.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” – Matthew 5:6, KJV
This hunger for righteousness isn’t natural; it comes from God. The righteous mind sees sin not only as something to avoid but as something foreign, unwanted, and incompatible with its nature. It’s a mind that:
- Loves the things of God.
- Finds joy in obedience.
- Is governed by humility rather than pride.
Isaiah 26:3 affirms:
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
This trust, this focus, is the mark of a righteous mind.
A Renewed Mind: Transformed by the Word
Perhaps the clearest instruction comes in Romans 12:2:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
A renewed mind is:
- Reprogrammed by Scripture.
- Led by the Holy Spirit.
- Daily turning from worldly wisdom toward godly truth.
But what does it feel like to have a renewed mind?
You begin to think of your flesh as something entirely separate from you. The Bible says:
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7, KJV
And also:
“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16, KJV
These scriptures show that your flesh is not you—it’s something you resist. If the flesh were truly you, then resisting it would be resisting yourself, which would be senseless.
Likewise, Proverbs 3:5 says:
“Lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Your understanding is not you either. The real you—the eternal you—is the spirit being that the Holy Spirit speaks to. The flesh and the understanding are parts of your temporary vessel, not the essence of who you are.
“The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other.” – Galatians 5:17, KJV
When your mind is truly renewed, you begin to feel this distinction. You feel separated from your flesh, your emotions, your worldly ambitions, and your limited understanding. You feel the breath of the Spirit. And you begin to recognize who the Holy Spirit is speaking to—not your ego, not your emotions, not your past—but you, the eternal soul that longs for God.
“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” – Ephesians 4:23-24, KJV
The Danger of Seeking Answers Within Yourself
Modern thinking tells us to “look within.” But meditation without the Holy Spirit is a search for answers within the problem itself. Without the Spirit of God, meditation becomes an echo chamber of our own pride.
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” – Proverbs 14:12, KJV
Pride will latch onto anything except God. That’s why someone can appear morally upright, talented, and disciplined yet be far from God.
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” – 2 Timothy 3:5, KJV
Only the Holy Spirit can truly separate us from this world and bring us into holiness.
What Is Holiness? The Fruit of the Spirit-led Mind
True holiness is a separation not just from sinful behavior but from the very mindset of the world. A right mind, righteous mind, and renewed mind all point toward this kind of separation:
- From the flesh
- From worldly wisdom
- From pride and self-reliance
This separation doesn’t lead to arrogance but to humility, peace, and purpose. The more you walk with the Holy Spirit, the more your mind aligns with God’s truth.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” – Colossians 3:2, KJV
Final Word: Feel the Fresh Breath of Holiness
When your mind is right, righteous, and renewed, you don’t just avoid sin—you desire what is holy. You become uncomfortable in the world because you are no longer of it.
Holiness is not about looking down on others or having a hardened heart. It is a breath of fresh air, a clean conscience, and a loving spirit that seeks God first.
Let your mind be separated by the Holy Spirit, not disciplined by your own effort. That is where transformation happens.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10, KJV
Explore more scripture: BibleGateway KJV Search
For more biblical insights, visit our series on the Sermon on the Mount at Jesus-From-the-Mount.com