Pastor Mensa Otabil Urges Believers To Read the Books Of Ephesians and Colossians to “Know Who They Are In Christ”

Accra, Ghana — Pastor Mensa Otabil, the General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), has called on Christians to read the books of Ephesians and Colossians to better understand their identity in Christ. Speaking at Christ Temple East in Accra during the third part of his teaching series “Living for God,” Pastor Otabil emphasized the transformative power of renewing one’s mind in accordance with biblical teachings.

In his sermon titled Living for God (3): Renewing Our Mind,” Pastor Otabil stated, “The Christian life is supposed to be a life of transformation.” He explained that while many believers claim to have given their lives to Christ, transformation is not always evident in their lives. “Sometimes you look at their lives and say, ‘I don’t trust anybody in this; I don’t trust Christians because Christians are not trustworthy because they behave wrongly,'” he remarked, adding that true transformation begins with the renewal of the mind.

Referencing Romans 12:2, Pastor Otabil stressed the importance of rejecting worldly ideas and godless philosophies. “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” he said, urging believers to resist societal pressures and reject the ungodly concepts that dominate today’s culture. He pointed out, “Just because they have better education doesn’t mean they have better ideas because every idea that is not God-centered and that is not Christ-centered is bogus.”

He also criticised some contemporary notions about gender and self-identity that deviate from traditional biblical teachings, urging Christians to stand firm in the truth of God’s Word. “Reject godless ideas that control our age,” he encouraged the congregation, noting that believers need boldness to reject misleading academic and societal philosophies.

Pastor Otabil also addressed the challenges young people face today, especially the pressure to conform to worldly standards through social media and cultural trends. He warned against drug abuse and other harmful behaviours, stating, “Anything that makes you lose control of your normal thinking process is not good for you.”

Finally, Pastor Otabil highlighted the importance of personal responsibility in the process of renewing the mind. “Being born again is a work of the Holy Spirit, but renewing your mind is your work,” he said. He urged Christians to unlearn old, fear-based ways of thinking and learn the new nature given through Christ by studying Scripture. “You have to learn about the new nature that we have in Christ Jesus,” he said, adding that reading the books of Ephesians and Colossians will equip believers to “know who they are in Christ.”

He concluded his message by emphasising that transformation through mind renewal is key to living for God, urging Christians to continuously engage with Scripture to align their thoughts and actions with God’s purpose.