The apostle Paul said our transformation comes from the renewal of our minds... and to me this implies an evolution of consciousness and a continual change in understanding. (nakedpastor.com)
The virtue of self - discipline features heavily in the New Testament; it's one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5, a key element of Paul's famous athletics metaphor in 1 Corinthians 9, and implicit in the idea of Christians as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1 - 2), «transformed by the renewal of your mind [s]» (ESV). (premierchristianity.com)
Indeed I'll match your text from Emerson with one from Paul: «Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.» (religion-online.org)