Changing toxic thinking
Jesus:
Turns your thinking upside down
Christians are being changed, little by little, into the image of Christ [2 Corinthians 3:18 and Proverbs 4:18].
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
×It is a process where we need to work in harmony with the Holy Spirit [Galatians 5:16-17,25]
Galatians 5:16-17,25
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
×The change is not outward. It is inward. Jesus said: “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks [Matthew 12:34-35].
Matthew 12:34-35
“… out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”
×What we believe and what we think and what we set our hearts on has a profound effect on our actions and attitudes and conversations.
The Bible tells us to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds” [Romans 12:2].
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
×This is an instruction to do something – to not be passive, but to take charge of our minds so that our thoughts will start to conform to God’s way of thinking and not the old patterns that have been influenced by secular education, the media and entertainment industries, marketers and advertisers, political agendas and the general selfishness of our fallen natures.
The Bible tells us to think about what is noble, pure and right [Philippians 4:8].
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
×This is a choice. We choose to think about these things, rather than the titillation that bombards our senses in everyday life. There is hardly a greater spiritual battle than this.
The Bible tells us to set our hearts and minds on things above [Colossians 3:1-2).
Colossians 3:1-2
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things
×This is a choice to desire greater communion with Jesus, rather than to seek the satisfactions that appeal to our fallen nature. Recognizing what appeals to soul rather than spirit is the first step in this journey.
For those not under the Law – and you aren’t – everything is permitted, but not everything is helpful [1 Corinthians 10:23].
1 Corinthians 10:23
“Everything is permissible” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is constructive.
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