A few weeks ago, I wrote about
idols of the heart. The basic gist of the post was that we all worship something, if it's not God, it's something else. If you haven't read that post, I'd suggest you take some time and read through it. If we're going to deal with true biblical change, we have to know what we need to change. We don't want to treat the symptoms of the problem, we want to get to the heart of the problem. So, once we have the correct diagnosis, where do we go from there? How do we deal with our sin? The way I see it, there are only 3 options:
1) You can quit, many have.
2) You can seek help from man's counsel or wisdom
3) You can seek help from God through His Word (2 Timothy 3:15-4:2).
The first option will take you further down the road of sin and idolatry of the heart. The second may give you some temporary hope and numb the pain for a little while, but in the end you will not have the satisfaction of lasting change. The third option is your only hope. Only God can offer you the proper diagnosis and the correct solution that your heart so desperately needs.
This may be obvious for many reading this, but you need to know upfront that the answer to all of your sin is
Jesus. If you don't know Jesus, I can't offer you any lasting help. Sure, you may be able to apply some of the biblical principles I address here, but you lack the one essential element to seeing lasting change in your life. Those of us who have embraced the saving work of Jesus on the cross and call Him Lord and Master, have been given new life. We have the ability now to say "no" to sin through the life giving power and work of the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us that we were (and all who don't know Christ) are in bondage to sin (Romans 6:16-22). We have no choice but to sin, that is who we are. But, when we embrace Christ and surrender our lives to Him, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Our hearts are radically changed and transformed (the theological term for this is regeneration), and we can now live lives that are pleasing to God. We can say "NO" to sin. So, what you need first and foremost is regeneration not rehab. You need a savior not a self-help guru. You need The Answer not just answers.
So, if you have that in place, everything else will not only make sense, it will be possible! What all believers are called to is a life of transformation. We are all called to be transformed into Christlikeness. We are pursuing Him. This process first begins in our minds. Many believers focus more time and attention (sometimes all of it!) on their outward behaviors. While there are many behaviors that need to be stopped immediately, it is the mind that needs to be addressed and transformed for true and lasting change. Sure, you can tell a child not to touch the burner on the stove. But, there's far greater impact and potential for lasting results when you explain to them the reality of the intense heat coming from the burner and the pain and damage they could cause. Once they have the understanding, they are far less likely to continue in that pattern of behavior. As believers, we must seek to gain a deeper understanding of doctrine. This is the biblical pattern. Did you ever notice that in all of Paul's Epistles and letters, he first begins (usually the first half) by addressing specific doctrines and deep truths of the Christian faith. Then, and only then does he branch into the behavioral side of things. The assumption is that you will want to change and have the tools to change once your mind has been changed and challenged to think rightly about God, yourself, this world and others. Need some Scripture to chew on? Here's some:
“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.” (Romans 12:2 ESV)
“to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires" (Ephesians 4:22 ESV)
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” ( 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV)
So, the renewing process begins in the heart and mind ("desires" and "thoughts"). Grasp this truth and true change will come.
Hopefully you've diagnosed the idols of your heart. If not, here's a checklist you can go through to find out. Grab a pen and piece of paper, then honestly answer these question. Pray first, ask the Lord to give you clarity as you examine your heart and life.
(1) What
are my goals, expectations, or intentions?
(2) What
do I become anxious over or fearful over?
(3) What
makes me happy?
(4) What
motivates me?
(5) What
would I like, possibly more than anything?
(6) In
what situation do I respond in anger?
(7) What
perceived right(s) has been denied?
(8) What
biblical standard or principle permits that thought, word, or action?
Do you see a common theme? That's what you are worshiping; that is the idol(s) of your heart. Write down how you are worshiping that idol in thought, word and deed. Great! Now confess it for the idol it is. Give it a biblical label, call it what it is! Ask God, and anyone else who you've sinned against for forgiveness.
Now, let's get practical with this. Study God's character to examine how your view of God is skewed. Do an in-depth study on the character and attributes of God that are directly involved in this area of change. For example, if you're struggle is anger, study God's patience. If it's lust, study God's purity and holiness. If it's envy or covetousness, study God's grace and His graciousness. If it's pride, study God's humility and so on and so forth. Our greatest problem is that we don't understand our God. We are not captured by his Holiness! We are not amazed by the very thought of Him. Truth be told, we think far to little of God and far to much of ourselves. We must learn to think often and deeply of our God. We must strive with all of our heart, mind and soul to know Him more intimately. We must strive to love Him more and more each day. A.W. Tozer, the great theologian once said, "what comes into our mind when we think about God, is the most important thing about us." He understood that our view of God shapes us and transforms us! What comes to mind when you think about God?
The next post will branch into the practical side of the equation. Work on grasping these truths and renewing your mind daily. Allow God's Word to inform and transform how you think so that you can begin to transform how you live. Do you want lasting change? Are you tired of reverting back to your old patterns of sin and never finding victory over certain sins in your life? God's desire is for you to find that victory and that lasting change! With His enabling grace, let's strive together to be pleasing in His sight and bring glory to His name!
For His Glory,
Ian