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“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” Ephesians 4:22-23 (NLT)
As Christ-followers, we are to be a catalyst for positive change in the world. We are called to be holy. Holiness has sometimes gotten a bad image. For many the idea of a ‘holy person’ is one that is legalistic, has no fun and spends their time doing nothing but prayer, Bible Study and doing ‘spiritual things.’
Holiness really means we are set apart to live lives that are free from the negative thoughts and harmful actions that the rest of society is imprisoned by. Holiness is as more about attitude than it is action. The ‘holy person’ is one that has the freedom to live life with a positive mindset.
In order to be different, or ‘holy’, on the outside (actions) we must first change how we are on the inside (attitudes). We need to get rid of attitudes that lead to negative thoughts, personal attacks, anger, revenge, refusal to forgive, selfishness, lust, and other thoughts that are harmful to us and to others.
To make the change is really a two step process. Paul says that we must first make a decision to change (throw off your former way of life). This means we have to decide that we actually want to change how we feel about ourselves and others.
After we decide that we really want to change we need to ask the Holy Spirit of God to help us change our thought patterns and our attitudes. Changing actions without changing thoughts and actions is hypocrisy and legalism. True change comes from the heart and is only possible through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and relying on His Spirit to make the change in us.
The Christ follower has a mindset and attitude that shows:
- A true love for God, ourselves and others;
- An inner joy when everything seems to go wrong;
- A peace that passes all understanding when life is scary;
- Patience with those who constantly fail us;
- Kindness to those who are rude, arrogant or insensitive;
- A spirit of goodness or generosity to those who are in need physically and emotionally;
- Faithfulness in our relationships with God and others;
- A spirit of gentleness to those who are hurting;
- Behavior that refuses to give up self-control.
The problem comes when we realize that it’s not enough to just decide to change. We need the inner strength to make that change work on the outside. We can’t do it on our own and it won’t happen overnight. We’ll have set backs. We’ll stumble and fall, sometimes daily! But the first step is the desire to change.
PRAYER: Holy Father. I thank you for the new life you have given me in Christ Jesus. I confess to you that there are so many times in my life when negative thoughts and attitudes control me. I want to change but I’m afraid to give myself completely to you. Help me to live in the freedom of your Spirit. Empower me to change on the inside so that others will see changes in my actions for your Glory. Amen.
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3
It happens thousands of times everyday. It happens to the elderly and the young, the educated and the non-educated, the wealthy and the poor. It happens to men and women of every race, every creed and every social level. No matter where you are you know of or have heard of someone losing a bunch of money to a scam artist.
“They sounded so truthful.”
“I was just trying to help them out; they seemed like such nice young people.”
And so it goes. Shrewd talkers and vulnerable, unsuspecting people are a bad combination. The words slide of their tongues like honey. Their arguments are so smooth that even the best of us get caught up in the hype and excitement of helping ourselves, assuring our grandchildren of ample money or helping some poor mission child overseas.
Scam artists seem to becoming more and more frequent in these days of harsh economic times. But there is something even more dangerous than people intent on stealing your money or your identity.
The Apostle Paul makes reference to the scam artists of his day when he warns the people in Corinth to steer clear. Spiritual scam artists are more dangerous than physical ones. These people are the ones that encourage us to be ‘more tolerant’ of others, to be willing to accept other religions or other belief systems.
We are told that we are intolerant or closed-minded because we only believe in one God and in one way to heaven. We may be accused of being judgmental and hypocritical as well if we take a stand.
Another type of Spiritual Scam Artist is the one that tells us that we have to do certain things and act a certain way to be holy. We get a long list of do’s and don’ts that weigh us down and take away the freedom we have in Jesus.
As Christ-followers we must remain true in our devotion to Jesus. He is the only way to Heaven. His death and resurrection are the only things that will cleanse our hearts and minds from the guilt of our sin. He is the only one we need to answer to in matters of daily living and belief systems.
Evaluate everything you hear by comparing it to what God says in His letter to us, the Bible. Don’t let the ‘wisdom of this world’ replace the truth of God’s Holy Bible. In it we find the truth we need to finish the race of life strongly.
PRAYER: Father, there are so many voices around me that are trying to take me from you. They try to get me to question Your Word, Your Son and even Your Existence. I hereby confess to you that You are the Creator God of the Universe. I give you all the praise and all the honor and all the glory, for you are God and there is none other like you. Thank you for the freedom I have in you. Amen.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
When we fall in love with someone there is a tendency to try to be everything that the person we love wants us to be. We may change the way we dress, the foods we eat, the music we listen to or anything else to try to win the ‘undying favor’ of the one loved.
If we are honest with ourselves and think about it, we make all these changes because we may feel afraid that if we don’t change we won’t be loved. While it’s never a bad thing to take a look at ourselves and consider making positive changes in our appearance or actions, they should never be at the expense of losing who we really are.
True love accepts you just the way you are. When God looks at you He is completely satisfied with everything you are. He may see things that He wants to work on with you to make you a better person, but He loves who you are completely. You need never fear losing that love.
Don’t allow the negative thoughts, words and actions of others to change how you feel about yourself. That’s not love. That’s mind manipulation and can lead to abuse either emotionally or even physically. Love should never have to hurt; should never be based on fear; should never require that you change who you are. Love accepts.
The only way to true love is through the one who is love. The Bible says that God is love. It doesn’t say that God has love in His heart or that God can love you if you change. When it says ‘God is love’ it means that love is in His very essence, His very soul. Everything about Him is love.
Because His love is perfect there is no fear with God. He doesn’t get mad at you when you fail. He won’t threaten you when you mess up for the third time in one day. He won’t give you the quiet treatment or throw things at you or remind you constantly that you failed Him last week. He won’t rely on put-downs and sarcasm to win an argument. That’s not love.
Be a believer in who you are because of Christ Jesus. When God looks at you in love He does so because you are His most valuable creation. Don’t allow the words of others and the threats of others change what you know. God loves you and He will never leave you. That’s what true love is about. If someone threatens you or makes you afraid in any way THAT is not love.
PRAYER: Father I thank you today that you are a God of love. I thank you that in my weakest moments, when I rebel selfishly, demand my own way or think evil of others, You still love me. You don’t require me to change to earn your love because there is nothing I can do to earn your perfect love. Please help me to live a life of love without fear. Empower me to break loose from any bondage, any person that includes fear or pain as a part of their love. I want to be free to love without fear from this point forward. Amen.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
The book of Matthew tells the story of the time Jesus and his disciples got into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. As they were crossing a furious storm blew in and threatened to break the boat apart. The terrified disciples tried everything they could do to save the boat and themselves but the situation grew worse.
In the midst of their terror they noticed Jesus sound asleep in the back of the boat. While they were frantically trying to save their lives, Jesus was sleeping soundly like a baby! He was completely oblivious to what was going on around him.
The disciples woke Jesus up and asked Him if he cared that they were about to die. Some may question whether ‘ask’ is the right word here. It’s likely that the combination of fear, frustration and the noise of the wind made their ask more like a yell. Perhaps even a scream!
Jesus woke from his sleep and calmed the storm with a single word. Jesus questions the men about why they are afraid, but it is their lack of faith that seems to bother Jesus more. His reaction teaches us a valuable lesson; one which, if we could learn it and practice it, would change our lives. The disciples fear was a secondary reaction. It was their lack of faith that was the primary concern. If they had believed, truly believed who Jesus was they would have been enjoying the thrill ride that He had provided them!
The Psalmist writes, “I sought the Lord and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” We aren’t told exactly what brought David to his knees in earnest prayer. However, his request was apparently NOT that the danger would pass. He prayed and the answer came; the answer was the removal of fear!
There are many things which make us afraid in life. Debt, war, natural disasters, relational issues, politics, health issues and many more. But there are many wealthy people who fear financial disaster and many poor people who are quite content with their condition. There are many people with terminal illness that are more at ease with life than healthy people who fear getting cancer!
Fear doesn’t always have a direct correlation to the calamity that besets us. We can live in the most adverse situations and not be afraid or in despair if our hearts and minds are set on Jesus and His love for us. If we truly believe that Jesus loves us and protects us, then there is nothing on this earth that we need fear.
PRAYER: Holy God, I worship you for being the all-powerful, all-knowing creator/sustainer of the universe. I confess to you the things that make me afraid today. In my heart I know you have all things in control but my mind constantly tries to steal my faith and replace it with fear. I ask that your Holy Spirit would keep me from worry or fear. Help me in my darkest most fearful hour to sleep in the back of the boat as you did. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 