Praying for a Right Spirit and New Attitude

Responding to God involves not just repenting of individual sinful acts. It also involves a recognition that our hearts and minds have been corrupted by the world and the devil, "the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2).

We must see the need for a new heart, a different way of thinking, a right spirit and attitude—a transformed mind. We must see that the heart is naturally deceitful and desperately sick (Jeremiah 17:9). We should desire to replace our mind with the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5).

Like David, we should cry out to God to "create in me a pure heart" (Psalm 51:10). Our heart—that is, our mind—is the main source of our problem with sin. Actions begin as thoughts. Our thinking is a deeply ingrained part of who and what we are. We must cry out to God for help in cleaning us from the inside out.

Consider David's unfeigned repentance: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me" (Psalm 51:1-3, NIV).

David continues: "Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (verses 6-10, NIV).