You are What You Think
Life Solutions has embarked on a 52 week campaign of power and liberation Entitled UPWARD MOBILITY. I would like to invite you to join me and others as we move toward power, elevation and liberation. I will be chronicling all of my contributions at my blog site: http://rickwallace21.wordpress.com/ as well as on my facebook page; Life Solutions 21 where over the next 52 weeks I will be addressing the enigmatic problems that are plaguing Christian believers. We will be addressing poverty and financial stewardship through my series “Abiding in Abundance”. We will address problems in marriage and dating through my series “When Your House is Not a Home” We will be addressing the power of faith and the position of confidence in God through my series “Covered by Covenant”. We will be addressing the power of thought in my series “Battle for the Mind”. I will be presenting opportunities for those that want to advance in spiritual maturity, entrepreneurship, filial connections and more. This will be done through resources that have been a blessing to me. I ask that you invite others to join you on this journey as it will be one of power and liberation. Come with an open mind and a willingness to learn and I promise you will not be the same.
Every week I will introduce you to certain principles that will help you to reach your goals in each of these areas as well as some other areas that are not mentioned, but happen to overlap into the lessons that are being presented. Without question, the most recurring of all themes will be “You are What You Think”; not only are you what you think, you get what you think. Most of you will find out that, as Joyce Meyers puts it, you are victims of your own “Stinkin Thinkin”.
No matter how well you plan your goals, irregardless to the energy and effort applied, despite your inexorable drive; if you do not change your way of thinking, you will never fully actualize your God given potential. You might find some level of success in one area or another, but you will never truly fulfill your design. You may be thinking that there is a certain level that you will be satisfied with that may be short of your full potential; that, in itself, is “Stinkin Thinkin”. As a believer, you have a responsibility to live to your full potential. Contrary to a great deal of teachings today, you do not have the luxury of a complacent thought process. But Bishop, didn’t Paul say that he was content in whatever state he was in? Yes, in Philippians 4:11 Paul states that he has learned to be content in whatever circumstance he was in. It is extremely important to understand the hermeneutic principles of Bible Study. Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation concerning the books of the Bible. In an academic sense the discipline of Biblical hermeneutics is quite extensive; however there are three principles that must be adhered to in even the most basic bible study.
Isagogics means studying the Bible in terms of the historical context in which each book was written, including both the human writer, the audience, the times in which they lived, etc.
Categories refer to a topical categorization of doctrine, so that one can approach the Bible on a step-by-step basis and cross-reference scriptures effectively.
Exegesis is a word-by-word, verse-by-verse, etymological, syntactical and grammatical study of scripture in its original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) in order to gain an accurate interpretation of the scripture without the influence of an intermediate chain of language translations which may obscure or lose meanings.
You may be saying that is too much work, but what does the scripture say? Well, let’s see.
Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. (2 Tim. 2:15 AMP)
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16 NIV)
This is a letter Paul addressed to Timothy, who was an overseer of the church; however when you give careful study of the context from which these scriptures were extracted, you will find that the responsibility of proper study and mastery of scripture falls on the shoulder of every believer. One of the greatest strategic victories of Satan was to convince believers that the daily engagement of God’s Word is not a necessity. When we are not inculcating Bible doctrine into our minds our minds are being inculcated with something else. Here is a comment I posted on a related blog earlier today:
“I agree. We are inundated with erroneous and fallacious doctrines daily. These doctrines are dangerous because they infiltrate our thought processes and create secular paradigms that are diametrically opposed to the Christian Worldview, pulling us into the ever evolving web of secular worldviews. The number one priority of every believer is the constant, daily, intake, digestion, metabolism and inculcation of Bible Doctrine. The effective fulfillment of all other responsibilities is dependent upon the proper execution of the first.”
We have become lazy and unpurposed in our studies. This creates an orifice through which the enemy enters through fallacious doctrines that lead us off course. (Stinkin Thinkin)
Now, let us evaluate Paul’s statement concerning situational contentment in the light of the proper principles of Bible study. Paul is speaking to the Philippian Church and he is speaking to them concerning their desire to give financial support which they had wished to do before then, but couldn’t. Paul was letting them know that he has seen abundance and lack and has learned how to live in both in a state of contentment (contentment in the way that his joy is not shaken). This is not a complacent contentment, but a contentment that produces the fortitude to persevere until the change comes. Remember, it is in this same chapter that Paul instructs the Philippian believers to practice the things they have seen and heard of him. This is also the same chapter where Paul exhorts them to manage their thoughts. The final proof is in the pudding so to speak; Paul wrote the majority of the New Testament, almost single handedly evangelized two continents and provided us with the clearest portrait of grace in the Bible. I would say that Paul was anything but mediocre. There is no evidence of complacency in Paul’s legacy.
You are What You Think:
7For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (Prov. 23:7)
God designed us to be indoctrinated; in other words, he created us to be responsive to intellectual stimuli. We are designed to advance based on the knowledge we receive and our response to that knowledge. Any knowledge that we are exposed to, if accepted as truth, impacts our thought processes and ultimately dictates our actions. If you want to change your path, change your thinking.
You are Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind
1I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
2Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. (Rom. 12:1-2 AMP)
22Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion;
23And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],
24And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:22-24 AMP)
16Therefore we do not become discouraged (utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear). Though our outer man is [progressively] decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day after day. (2 Cor. 4:16 AMP).
When we examine these scriptures we find that we are called to renew our minds, we are to transform ourselves into the likeness of our creator (in Holiness and Greatness) and this is done through our thinking. When we begin to see what the Word says about us; who the Bible says we are; and grasp the inheritance that God has established for us before we were ever born, we will be able to stand up in power and walk boldly into our calling. We will be able to engage the vicissitudes of life with confidence that our God will bring us through. We will be able to fix our gait in a certainty of direction because we understand that God is ordering and establishing our footsteps.
We Have the Mind of Christ
For (AE)WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But (AF)we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:16 NASB)
“To summarize his thought, Paul again cited Isaiah (Isa. 40:13; cf. Rom. 11:34). That prophet marveled at the mind of God. Who can fully understand what God understands? Certainly no one can. On the other hand, mature believers can understand to a much greater degree than unbelievers because they have the Spirit of God in them and He controls them. Consequently the mature Christian has the mind of Christ. That is, he or she views life to some extent as Jesus did because that person understands things from God’s perspective, at least partially. In his epistle to the Philippians, Paul urged his readers to adopt the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5). Even though we have the mind of Christ we need to adopt it, that is, to use it to view life as He did. One evidence of Christian maturity is the believer’s consistent employment of Christ’s attitude and viewpoint in all of life.” (Expository Notes: Dr. Thomas L. Noble)
We are commanded to take on the mind of Christ. Because we have the Spirit of Christ we also have access to the mind of Christ (in the Word of God).
Our Relationship with God Gives Us a Sound Mind
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. (2 Tim. 1:7 AMP)
This is an extremely powerful verse in a time where so many believers have adapted a mental attitude of fear, anxiety, and extreme stress. The Spirit of God resident within us provides a position of power, a disposition of love, and a mental attitude of stability and self-discipline. Let me explain something to you. Whenever the enemy can attack your thinking and in some way convince you to become shaken, he has you at a disadvantage. Dysfunctional believers are bread in the vacuum of mental instability. You must train your thinking and guard your thoughts with all diligence.
In Obedience, Your Thoughts are Established by the Lord
The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight. (Prov. 15:26 NIV)
3Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed. (Prov. 16:3 AMP)
This is another scriptural powerhouse; the thoughts of the wicked (those that think opposite the will of God) are an abomination to the Lord. Literally, thoughts which are contrary to God’s way, which is revealed in His Word, are truly detestable to Him. When we are under the influence of “Stinkin Thinkin” we remove ourselves from under the divine favor of God and out of the shadows of His covenantal protection.
Yet, when we trust him and establish our thoughts upon His Word, He becomes the guarantor of our desires and plans (Ps. 37:4). Make no mistake about it, our success is dependent upon proper thinking and proper thinking is measured by its correspondence with the Word of God.
We Must Conquer Every Wayward Thought
3For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.
4For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
5[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), (2 Cor. 10:3-5 AMP)
Make no mistake about it; our most powerful weapon in this spiritual warfare is the mastering of our thoughts. We are instructed to bring every thought into captivity. No thought is inconsequential in this battle. There is a battle being waged for your mind. God desires to fill your mind with His thinking, providing you with power and stability to accomplish all that you set out to do. The scripture promises success and prosperity to the one that keeps his mind focused on the Word and will of God. On the other hand, Satan desires to inundate you with philosophies, theories, and doctrines that are contrary to the way of God. He knows that if he attacks your thinking he cripples your power. We must bring ourselves to a place pure thought. We must come to recognize that anything that is not in accordance to biblical teachings is of the devil.
Summation
We are what we think. We will never transcend our thought processes; we will always be limited by them. As a believer, we have at our disposal a most powerful and efficacious weapon; the mind of Christ. When we take on the proper mental attitude the dynamic force of the Holy Spirit will began to guide and empower us for elevation. When we change our thinking we will be able to rise above the forces of evil that have imprisoned us for so long. When we grasp the enormous impact our thinking has on our position, we will begin to live in power and purpose. When we refuse to accept the views of this world we will shake the foundation of this world with our power. In proper thinking is the power to free ourselves from relational dysfunctionality. In the mastering of our thoughts lies the power to break free of the bondage of perpetual poverty. In the conquering of erroneous thinking is the power to move beyond the maze of mediocrity.
Right thinking brings victory in every aspect. Are you tired of wish living? You know what I mean. I wish had a better life; I wish I could travel more; I wish there was something I could do for those I love; and the list goes on. Throw the wish list away, change your thinking and live in the fullness of your inheritance. Wish lists are for non-believers.
Be blessed,
Dr. Rick Wallace
Be sure to take advantage of these additional resources:
84 Personal Development Reports — A “Must-Have” for anyone looking to raise their level of living.
The Christian Living Collection
Mind Alchemy — Steven Aitchison’s course on how to Unlock The POWER of Your Mind.