Rachel Whisman

To those who are like me and need to be educated on the slang of the day, “No cap” means no lie. My 2nd graders speak fluently with this term and it is something I remember. The only reason I use “No CAP” today is because I have turned it into an acronym and it has helped me out. 

We are charged in the New Testament to “renew our mind.”

Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” 

He continues in Ephesians 4:22-24, “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

As well as in Colossians 3:1-5, 12, 14, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth…..put to death therefore what is earthy in you….put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience….put on love, which binds everything together.” 

Peter also emphasizes this when he writes in 1 Peter 1:13, “Therefore preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 

You can not escape it. We are called to “renew our minds,” but how and what does that look like practically? First, we do it by the Spirit’s power, Romans 8:26-27. Next, we renew our minds by putting off and then following through with putting on. This theme is flooded throughout the New Testament, “put off” and “put on.” Once you see it you will never unsee it (fun exercise/devotional time: work your way through the Epistles and make a t-chart of what are we commanded to “put off” and “put on”). 

To help myself grasp this in my day-to-day life, I have started using CAP specifically when it comes to renewing my mind after sinning or when I am tempted to sin. 

C- Confess

A- Accomplished 

P- Promises 

C- Confess (put off) 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” -1 John 1:9

We must be quick to confess our sins and our temptations to the Lord. He wants to help us and He is ready to hear us and forgive us. It could look like this. 

“Lord, I am tempted right now to be anxious about ______________, please help me remember who you are and your promises” 

“Lord I have sinned against you by being envious of what someone else has that I don’t have. May you please forgive me?” 

“Lord, I am tempted to be angry right now because I am not getting my way. Lord help me to renew my mind.” 

Then, I do not just stay there. I move on to the next letter “A”.

A- Accomplished (put on)

The next thing that my mind goes to is what has God accomplished? Since He has forgiven me, I need to remind myself of who I am in Christ. It can be tempting to just spiral down in self-pity, but absolutely not! We must, by the Spirit’s power and our obedience, wake ourselves and preach the Gospel to ourselves. These are verses that you can memorize to have stored up and ready to rehearse to yourself after asking for the Lord’s forgiveness as well as some examples of short prayers following the verse. Start with one verse and cement it into your mind. 

“So you must also consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” -Romans 6:11

“God, you have defeated sin. You live in me. Help me to remember that I am alive in you.” 

“By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This. He. set. aside. nailing it to the cross” (periods added for emphasis) -Colossians 2:14

“Lord, It is finished. It is done. Thank you. Please help me, by Your grace, to move on.”

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” -Romans 6:1-4

*all of Romans 6 is a jewel and fun to memorize because of how resolute Paul is. The word will wake you up as you question yourself as Paul does so at the beginning of chapter 6 and then you get to continue to preach to yourself of who you are in Christ. 

P- Promises (put on) 

You get to dwell on God and give thanks to Him. Here are some verses and some examples of prayers that could go along with them. Submerge yourself in these promises and say a prayer of thanks to the Lord after. 

“But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.”  -2 Timothy 4:17

“God, you are with me right now. I might feel lonely, but I am not alone because your word says that you are with me. Thank you how you strengthened Paul in this verse and thank you that you will

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us His precious and very great promises” -2 Peter 1:3-4

“Lord, thank you that you have given me everything that I need to do what you have called me to do. It is by your Spirit that I can, so thank you. Help me to walk by faith.” 

“But the Lord is faithful, He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” -2 Thessalonians 3:3

“Lord, you are faithful. This is your work and what you start you will finish and you will guard.” 

“He is not weak in dealing with you but is powerful among you. For He was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but dealing with you we will live with Him by the power of God.” -2 Corinthians 13:5

“Lord, I need to be reminded that You are not weak at this moment. You are strong. I am weak. I depend on you. 

“Behold, the Lord comes with might, and His arm rules for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”  -Isaiah 40:10-11

“Lord, thank you that you are mighty. Thank you that you will act. You are acting right now whether I see it or not. You have been faithful in the past with _______________. You will be faithful right now and will continue to be.” 

“A bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench; He will faithfully bring forth justice.” Isaiah 42:3

“Lord, thank you for reminding me that I am not utterly broken. Downcast I might be, but Lord you were broken for me so that I might live. Your body was nailed to that cross so that I would not be quenched. Thank you that you are acquainted with my ways.” 

CAP. Confess. Accomplished. Promises. 

This is one way renewing your mind can look practically. Confess when you have sinned or are tempted to sin. Then, remember what Christ has accomplished on your behalf. Finally, praise Him for the promises that God has given us.  

“When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies. I hasten and do not delay.” -Psalm 119:59-60