June 08, 2026
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – New International Version
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
We are going to meditate on this Scripture passage today. As I celebrated my 59th birthday last May 18, I was wondering how fast the time is running. Written by the Apostle Paul, this scripture passage and the verses offer deep comfort and spiritual perspective during times of physical decline, aging or intense life hardships as I grow older and older every year.
We have “Two Self” – the Outer Self and the Inner Self
The Outer Self: It refers to our physical body and earthly existence. It naturally experiences aging, illness, fatigue and the wear and tear of daily life as we grow older.
The Inner Self: This is our spirit, soul and mind. Unlike the body, our spiritual core grows stronger and stronger when we are in Christ, becomes more vibrant and more attached to the promises of Christ.
Renewed Day by Day: This emphasizes that spiritual growth in Christ is an ongoing, daily process in all our lives. Through faith, prayers, reflection and grace, our inner self – the inner person is continuously restored and refreshed.
We can have many bible verses to support this theme for meditation today.
Old Testament Verses
- Isaiah 40:29-31: “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
- Psalm 73:26: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
- Psalm 51:10: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
- Nehemiah 8:10: “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
New Testament Verses
- 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.”
- Ephesians 3:16: “…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being…”
- Colossians 3:9-10: “…seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
How The Holy Spirit Help our Inner Self to renewed Day by Day?
In Christian theology, the Holy Spirit is the actual engine and source behind the “day by day” renewal of our inner self. While human willpower and physical strength inevitably fade, the Holy Spirit acts as an internal, supernatural wellspring that constantly restores our soul.
The Holy Spirit actively facilitates this inner renewal through several distinct actions:
1. He Infuses Supernatural Power
The Holy Spirit provides spiritual energy directly to our inner being, acting as a structural support when our physical body or mind feels completely depleted.
- The Scripture: Apostle Paul specifically prays for this in Ephesians 3:16: “…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being…”
2. He Rewires our Thoughts (Mind Renewal)
Daily life, stress, and hardship can corrupt our perspective, leading to anxiety or despair. The Holy Spirit actively filters out negative, worldly mindsets and replaces them with God’s truth, transforming how we process our circumstances.
- The Scripture: Romans 12:2 urges believers to be “transformed by the renewal of your mind,” a process guided step-by-step by the Spirit.
3. He Cleanses and Recreates from Within
The Spirit does not just patch up our old, tired habits; He actively applies the resurrection power of Jesus to our life, washing away guilt and creating a fresh spiritual environment inside of us.
- The Scripture: Titus 3:5 attributes this exact process to God, stating: “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
4. He Produces Lifegiving “Fruit”
When our outer self faces exhaustion, our natural response might be irritability, fear, or bitterness. The Holy Spirit replaces those reactions with divine traits—love, joy, peace, and patience—which keep our inner spirit vibrant and alive.
- The Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 calls these character shifts the “fruit of the Spirit,” showing that inner vitality is a natural byproduct of the Spirit living inside of us.
Is your inner self Renewed Day by Day?
Evey single step that we take through the help of the Holy Spirit will lead us to our heavenly abode. God sees our efforts and faith in Him.
Prayer: Let us bow down to the feet of the Triune God, and meditate upon this verse once again, and ask for the Grace of God to endure as we grow older and may we ask the Spirit of God to help our inner self to renewed day by day. Only then we can have the assurance of being present in the heavenly places which Jesus has promised for us as believers in Christ.
In Jesus Name, I pray, Amen!