Change your Thinking for Holy Living

Christians are expected to live on a higher moral plane than the ungodly citizens of the world.  The life style expected of us by God is "holy living".  That would mean living by a different set of standards than what is typical of the world.  It involves learning to think differently, in a way that protects us and our relationship with God.   Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

God’s call for Christians to be “set apart” to live a holy life is a call to a strenuous life. Christianity is not a lifestyle that appeals to wimps, cowards and the unmotivated. Holy living is an obstacle course that must be met with vigorous work... you must be on constant alert, guarding your mind and heart... prepared and hardened for the journey. In fulfilling this holy calling we are required by God to put forth an all inclusive spiritual, mental and even physical effort.

Holy living comes from transformation... of one’s mind and heart.  It comes from a daily living focus on the things of God.  You must develop an attitude that serves as a filter for your thinking and the choices you make.  How can a person constructively change their thought patterns to reflect and exhibit the standards of holy living? 

Your thinking on every level about everything determines the quality of your relationship with God.   His Word tells us that we can change our habits and be released from our negative reactions to life’s circumstances. You do not have to be impatient, depressed, angry, or entertain imaginations that are harmful. However, you must first recognize your need for changing your attitude.  Proverbs 4:23 states, "'Watch over your heart with all diligence for from it flows the springs of life!"

In Psalm 119:9, a young person asks the question, "How can I keep my ways pure?" and God's answer is, "By living according to God's Word!" What does that mean? It means to allow God's Word to change our way of thinking, to allow it to affect our conduct.  It means to put into practice in your life the principles which are found in God's Word.  Romans 12:1-2 says... "Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God - holy, and pleasing to God - which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  You must learn to use the principles and commands found in God’s Word to develop a set of mental conditioners by which you filter everything you think and desire.

The 6th chapter of Romans describes the provision which God has made available to us, which enables us to develop mental filters that lead us to holy living.  We are taught that "We are delivered from sin." Romans 6:6 says... "Our old self is crucified with Him, so that the body of sin [sin that separates us from God] might be rendered powerless. Verse 14 declares, "Sin shall not be your master!" Verse 18 resonates further... "You have been set free from sin." While Romans 6 describes deliverance from the hopelessness of sin without Christ,  there is more.  God has also given us a provision that makes it possible to overcome and resist the power of sin.

Romans chapter 7 presents a picture of our struggle with sin. In verse 19 the Apostle Paul admits openly... "What I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing!" He continues on in verse 21 saying... "When I want to do good, evil is right there with me."  How does he feel?  He tells us in verse 22... "For in my inner being I delight in God's law." but then says in verse 23... "But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members." Verse 24 carries on... "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" Verse 25 answers the question by exclaiming, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

So the vital question is, "How do you get the power described in Romans chapter 6 into your life?  The first part is accomplished by following God’s plan of salvation." The last verse of Chapter 7 provides the practical answer for sustaining holy living.  After picturing the human struggle with sin, verse 26 concludes by saying... "So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law...”  You and your mind, your thinking and your attitudes, can free you from the sinful pursuits and habits.

Romans 8 repeats over and over the phrase, "Setting the mind..." Romans 8: 5-7 says this..."Those who are according to the flesh [that is, they are living according to the flesh] is because they set their minds on the things of the flesh. However, those who are according to the Spirit [they are living according to the Spirit] is because they have set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Because the mind that is set on the flesh, brings death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." Why? Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God."

Even more to the point Paul writes in Philippians 4:8... "Fix your thoughts on what is true, good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely. Dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about."

The whole concept presented is "Set your mind... Fix your thoughts on good things" This is a command which requires an intentional act of our "will." God's command is, "Set your mind on these things." Our thought pattern is so ingrained within us that it seems impossible for us to change.  Satan knows how to get us to "set our minds" his way and, before we realize it, our wrong [old] thought pattern is off and running. 

It sure would be nice if  God would alert us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the very moment a negative thought pattern begins to form in our mind. Then all we would have to do is stop, and "set our thoughts on things of God."  However, it doesn’t work that way.  We’re not robots and God is not a puppeteer.  God will not interfere with what He has told us to do. Even though God makes available all the power and resources we need to carry out His commands and live a holy life, we are responsible to make the choices that define the way we live.  We are responsible for how we set our minds.

Let me illustrate. When rain comes cascading down a mountainside, the water, cuts into the mountainside, creating crevices. Each time it rains the water transforms these crevices into ever deeper ravines, cutting away the mountainside.These crevices and ravines will over time grow to be great chasms in the mountainside and fertile soils will be washed away.

Our thought patterns are much the same. All the experience of our life, every thing that we have ever done, or even thought about, is programmed into our brain. As we live, our thoughts begin to run along a certain pattern and they become stronger and deeper, until they are so ingrained into the very cells of our brain that our thoughts become a part of who we are. We "react" in a certain way to situations and circumstances. Our thought patterns repeat over and over until a habit is formed. Without even thinking, we react automatically, in a certain manner to whatever happens to us.

Can you stop rain from cascading down a mountainside and cutting deep and dangerous crevices?  Environmental engineers in order to preserve mountainsides and farmland, build dams to stop the rain from flowing uncontrolled down a mountainside.

Our minds, our thought life, our attitudes, require a similar form of control. We must build a dam in our mind. God has told us that we are to say "no" to certain thoughts, to stop their flow in our mind.  However, building a dam is not enough.  To save the mountainside and farm lands in a valley, there must also be a "water control strategy" in order to re-direct the flow of the water.

In our minds... we must cultivate a new way of thinking.   Just suppressing our thoughts is not enough. We must re-direct our thought life.  We must work diligently to eradicate our old ways of thinking.  Radical change is required.

To illustrate this, consider what Ephesians 4:28 says... “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”  For a thief to stop stealing isn’t enough, he must replace the negative thinking that justifies stealing with positive wholesome thoughts.   

Negative and sinful thoughts are dealt with by an “act of our will.” We must choose to stop

negative thought patterns that product bad habits and practices. However, in order for our thought patterns to be complete, we must, also, choose to replace our negative thoughts with constructive thoughts, thereby creating new and wholesome habits. You must practice a good thing until it rewires your brain, wherein the good thing becomes as ingrained as the “old” sinful habit.  

Two things must happen:

1. We must build a dam in our mind, refusing to allow any wrong thoughts to remain in our mind.

2. We must redirect the flow of our thought pattern by developing a new way of thinking that produces new habits.

The first is temporary, the second is permanent.  This, of course, takes God's power within our lives, however , it also takes an act of our will. God never takes away our "free will." We must choose to fulfill God's commands.

Christians must exercise self-control... be of sober / serious mind.  Self control means to think soberly without being influenced by harmful and distracting things, things of the world; and it’s often used in connection with watchfulness, being constantly on guard against forming thinking that can spoil your quest for holy living.

1 Peter 5:8-9 says... Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings..

There are many things that can intoxicate our minds and render us useless in serving God. Such things as pride, self-will, arrogance, greed, revenge, hate and lust are all forms of ungodly thinking.  We must constantly be on guard against the things of the world that will weaken our resolve to be faithful, take our minds off the goal, convincing us that there is some better or easier way to enjoy life. 

We must choose to live holy lives.  Colossians 3:2 commands us to, "Set our minds on things above." God commands us to do it.  He will give us all the help we need, but we must deeply desire to focus our lives around Him.

With God's help, WE can get rid of our bad thinking, bad attitudes and sinful desires. God will transform us, but we must set our minds desire firmly in that direction.  Redirecting our thoughts into a healthy, positive way of thinking is essential if we are to be in a right relationship with God. 

Focus on Jesus, our Redeemer

A person whose heart is set on God will understand that God’s own heart was intently set on theirs.   You cannot miss this fact.   John 3:16 says... For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.   Romans 5:8 says... But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:19 says it best, “We love because He first loved us”. What we are considering in these passages is the “completeness” of the human heart in relationship to God.  In other words, our hearts will not be compelled to love God until we have experienced the deep riches of His own love for us. 

The greatest and clearest demonstration of His love was the unconditional love of Christ at Calvary, dying in our place, and giving us redemption and reconciliation to the God of the universe, whose fellowship we were created to enjoy both now and forevermore. Until we realize the infinite significance of what God stated and accomplished on that day, our hearts will not be set on Him, and thus, we will not be effective ambassadors of Christ.  

Calling ourselves Christians means very little if we can’t move past the narrative words of Scripture, past the abstract view of something incomprehensible, to a deep merging of our soul with the essence (His love) of God.  It’s a hard thing to do.  The detached nature of the human mind that so easily compartmentalizes the concepts we can’t control or understand, must be broken apart if we are to truly relate to the love of God.   

In fact, it is only logical that in order to be effective ambassadors of Christ, we must be passionate about the gospel that we are charged with conveying to humanity (Matthew 28:19-20).  Consider this analogy... what good is a salesperson who is indifferent about the products he is striving to sell?  Everyone he pitches can see through his insincerity, the cheapness of heart as he attempts to convince you of something he himself is not fully convinced of. So, if the gospel really is good news, should not our lives be evidence of a passionate commitment to that good news?  Would we not be living and acting accordingly?

Its time Christians to take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror of your life.  Who are you?  Really, who do you look like?  Are you an amalgamation of the influences of the world around you or are you a pristine and love filled  reflection of Jesus who redeemed you?  

God wants us to do many things for His Kingdom, the Church.  But only if we are truly focused on him and know and understand the power of his love. That means our hearts must be set on our Redeemer; it means our hearts must burn with love for God;  it means every decision, choice and action of our lives must be tempered by the incredible depths of love God has shown to us.

If you have this kind of passion for God, it shows to the world, to your family and friends.  It will shine through you like the light of day.  Your love for people, like God’s, will gush out of your will and personality.  You will be consumed and compelled to leverage your skills to serve others.  Your passion to preach and teach the gospel will be driven by a robust understanding of what it really means to be an ambassador for Christ Jesus.  

At the very root of who you can be in Christ, is heartfelt gratefulness for the grace of God received in Christ when you were at your worst.  Realizing the gospel’s message, is more than just words, you feel the depths of sin you were saved from, and the greatness of the life you were saved to.  This realization triggers a catalytic reaction that transforms the very nature of your heart into a new creation, with new desires, affections, perspectives, and delights. “For the old has gone, and the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

When our hearts burn for God, we will be organically set on mission like the early apostles, saying proudly about the gospel, “for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard”, “for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Acts 4:20; Romans 1:16).    Indeed, a heart set on God is one that naturally positions itself for outward impact.

To bring it full circle... The gospel will not reach the four corners of this world until it reaches the four corners of our own hearts. And until the gospel reaches the four corners of our hearts—the degree that our hearts are greatly set on Him—will it be fully advanced in our world. 

The Christian Lifestyle – Unchanged for 2,000 years

What’s the point of living a Christian lifestyle? Change. Transformation.  Choosing to make Jesus Christ the Lord of our life changes our lifestyle dramatically.  Everything changes... friendships, activities, and most importantly our attitudes towards literally every aspect of life. 

Coming to know Jesus, trusting his purpose for our lives, helps us formulate the reasons for the way we live our Christian lives.  There are three sustaining realities we embrace on our journey of faith as we grow in Christ...

We remain connected to God through Jesus Christ (John 15:4–8). A life that’s cut off from God withers and dies -- physically as well as spiritually. God desires to reproduce His Son’s life through our commitment, passion and fruitfulness.

We remain faithful through adversity and we resist false doctrine (2 Timothy 3:12–17). The apostle Paul expected situations to become worse as worldly pressures increased. Our knowledge of the Scriptures arm us against any deceivers or deceptive ideals.

We present the Good News to a lost world (Mark 16:15-16; 1 Timothy 6:12) Like an athlete or soldier, we present our best efforts to further our faith. Our transformed lives compel us to share the Gospel’s impact not just for our “today,” but for all eternity.

Christian Lifestyle is not about Rules

Are there specific guidelines that constitute a Christian lifestyle? Change means a different direction, right?  So without question, what we desire to do coupled with our choices defines the sort of Christian lifestyle we will live.  You stop being that “old” person, you stop pursing sinful and carnal things and surrender to God, allowing him to work out a new you in you.  Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do . . .” (Romans 12:2). 

 A Christian lifestyle should never become a list of rules. We must take our attention off man-made rules and focus on the Man, the Cross and His free gift of Salvation.  All that’s really required is a genuine love for Jesus.  That said, most of us still feel more secure when we know the boundaries, so to simplify a guide for Christian living we might want to preface everything in our lives with these questions... “What did Jesus do?”  What would Jesus do?”

•  Communicated continually with God (Matthew 11:25-26; Mark 6:46, 14:32)

•  Acknowledged the significance of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17, 26)

•  Obeyed the will of His Heavenly Father (Luke 22:42; John 6:38-39)

•  Resisted temptation by steadfastness to the Word of God (Luke 4:1-13)

•  Reached out to those considered hopeless and sinners (Mark 2:15-16; Luke 19:5-9)

•  Served others, humbling Himself before His Heavenly Father (John 13:3-5, 12-15)

•  Persevered in faith and love (John 4:34, John 9:4; John 17:23)

Christian Lifestyle – Inside and Outside

What are the outward and inward evidence of a Christian lifestyle? You can present an outward appearance of holiness daily and still serve as a poor Christian witness (Matthew 23:27-28). To live as a Christian requires having the character of Christ. A transformation must occur, as a result of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling (Galatians 5:24-25).   You can’t fake a walk with Christ.

When we truly practice a Christian lifestyle, the inward evidence becomes obvious. God’s glory and power pours out of us and touches others in an uplifting, encouraging positive way.  Our faith in the midst of personal difficulties and the turmoil of this world flows from a heart given to a loving Father. Every breath carries words of compassion and affirmation to a hurting world. 

Those who live a genuine Christian lifestyle live a peaceful and confident life on the inside and the outside.   That doesn’t mean you won’t have challenges and heartache... you probably will. It means nothing of this world can knock you off your straight and narrow course, as you walk with God to that time and place where all things are made new... for you!

“This High Priest [Jesus Christ] of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it” (Hebrews 4:15-16). 

Walk with the Lord... Boldly, Courageously, Confidently.

Prayer... Making a Difference in the Lives of Others

Why do you do what you do?  Why do you plan Sunday school lessons for four-year-olds? Why do you go bowling with a group of junior high kids? Why do you sit on the floor with a group of kids every week, trying to explain God's ways to them, trying to listen to them and bring truth to bear on their young lives?

Almost anyone who participates in Christian ministry, whether paid or volunteer, whether for children, teens, or adults, would most likely say that somehow, they hope to make a difference in the lives of those they teach and lead. They want to positively influence other people  for Christ.

So, how does one really influence others in such a way that what you’re doing and saying can make a difference? Each of us might answer that question differently, based on our experiences, but we do have examples of men and women in the bible  who made a difference in the lives of others.  There’s much we can learn from these difference-makers whose stories are told throughout the pages of God’s Word to inspire and encourage us to do the same.

One of the great heroines in the Bible, was a woman named Esther, and she made a difference by boldly speaking truth. We can learn a lot about how to make a difference in the lives of others by examining Esther’s dramatic experience that ultimately defined her life. Here’s how her story unfolds... 

Persian King Xerxes falls in love with Esther, an orphaned Jewish girl and makes her his Queen. Unfortunately, the King is led astray by an evil-minded government official by the name of Haman. 

Haman hated the jewish people and dupes the King into ordering the genocide of the Jews, whom the King does not realize are Queen Esther's people. 

Esther's cousin, in challenging her to ask the king to repeal his edict (which could result in her death), says to her: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:13-14).

Esther is afraid, but agrees that she must act to save her people and herself. How? Consider her strategy: She does not rush in and demand anything of the King. First, she goes to the source of all Truth... God. She begins her quest to speak truth with prayer and fasting, asking God for wisdom. She courageously tells her cousin: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16).

So often, we find ourselves in circumstances in the context of church relations, where we want to charge ahead... speak the truth and pray later.  What usually happens in such situations? Our prayers end up focused on damage control necessitated by our rashness.   Wise people know that God is in control and that his wisdom is the key to our success. The first step of making a difference by speaking the truth is prayer — heartfelt, focused prayer. The first step in speaking wisely is realizing that your own wisdom is not enough — you need God's wisdom, you need the light of his truth to flow through you.  Truth is truth, and needs to be said.  But how you say it, and when you say it, makes all the difference in the outcome.

Prayer is what gave Esther both courage and an amazing plan for winning over the king's favor. Read the story for yourself, in the Old Testament book of Esther.  Her strategy, combined with God's amazing provision, was brilliant. She is a perfect illustration of what James wrote about several hundred years later... "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (James 1:5).

Notice how God gives wisdom... not just to a few, not just to the perfect, not just to the powerful, but to anyone. To all. He gives that wisdom unconditionally, liberally, "without finding fault"—without nitpicking or bias.  As The message translation puts it... "If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believe he will help without a second thought.”

Esther's awareness of her situation is expressed in her statement... "If I perish, I perish."  This a huge turning point for her. It’s where her “hope” meets the harsh circumstances of her “reality”.  Prior to that, she had seemed rather passive, basing all her actions on her cousin's directions.  She mostly seemed to let things happen to her, rather than making things happen. Then her cousin's challenge — "who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"— brings something forth in Esther. At that moment, she shifts from follower to leader.  From a shy girl to decisive woman who, by telling the truth, anchored by her pray first and bold actions, saved her people from destruction. 

The first truth she told was this: Before we act, we must fast and pray. I don't know anyone who would put fasting in their list of favorite spiritual practices.  If you have fasted, you have to admit, that things become clear and you see a path forward.  

As we consider how our ministries and outreach can become more effective, as we try to act on this deep longing to “make a difference”, consider Esther's example and many like hers throughout the pages of God’s Word.