“Don’t 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 learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT
There’s a phrase that I have heard quite often: You live what you believe. What that means is that you can say that you believe something, but if your actions don’t line up with what you say, then you don’t really believe it. What you do is what you believe.
When it comes to faith, I’ve heard it said that you only believe the parts of the Bible that you actually do. Well, that could be pretty convicting! Am I doing what I know the Bible says? Am I living what I say I believe?
What do you believe about yourself? You may be able to quote Scriptures about being a child of God and more than a conqueror, but are you living out of those things? Think about how you reacted to a recent challenge. Did you behave like a confident child of God? Did you live like you are more than a conqueror?
Don’t be too hard on yourself, friend! None of us live up to what we know 100% of the time. However, if we become more aware of our responses and what they tell us about our beliefs we can begin to shift. We can become the person we want to be.
What do you really believe about yourself? Do you realize that what you believe is what you will become? What beliefs will set you free to become all that you were designed to be?
Paul told his friends in Rome to “let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:2 NLT) Where do you want to be transformed? What would you like to believe? How can you begin to become that new person and let God change what you think?
Here are some tips to get you started. Read on, friend!
Recognize what you really believe about yourself. It may be difficult to be honest enough to recognize what you truly believe about yourself, but change has to start there. Real change has to begin with reality. Until you recognize what you really believe you won’t be able to move toward change.
Recognize what you want to believe about yourself. This is where those Scriptures come in handy. They are the tools to help you begin to participate with God in making change happen. What would you like to say about yourself? Who do you want to become? That person is not as far out of reach as you may think. Just keep in mind that becoming is about character. As your character becomes who you want to be, then you will be more prone to do what you want to do. But, Dear Friend, at the end of the day, who you are and who you are becoming is of so much more value than anything you will ever accomplish. That’s the transformational truth to hold on to!
Recognize that you aren’t able to change yourself without God’s help. The Holy Spirit is God’s Secret Change Agent. I think this is probably the most difficult truth for us to accept. He is invisibly present and most active in the process of transformation that you and I go through as believers. What a gift!
That statement, “Who you are is God’s gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God.” has merit. However, if we get hung up on the “make of yourself” we will become self-focused. Of course, we want to be our best for God. I know I do, and I believe you do, too. That is why you are on this journey with me. But even what I make of myself has to originate with God and His power. Jesus said it this way, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV” And the Apostle Paul reminded the Philippians, “…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 NIV
The real truth is that even what we make of ourselves is a gift from God. Wow! That blows my mind right there! What about you?
Let’s go back to this verse, “…let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 NLT)
Do you believe that transformation is possible? Start with recognizing what you really believe, what you want to believe, and that change is only possible with God’s Holy Spirit at work in you. When you believe that you open the door to becoming the person you have always wanted to be. I believe in you, Dear Friend!
Key Question: What do you really believe about yourself?
A Scripture to Consider: “Don’t 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 learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT
A YES Challenge: Take some time to answer these questions for yourself: What do you believe about yourself? What do you want to believe? How can you rely on God to help you change the way you think?
Prayer: Lord, I know what your Word says. I know what I SHOULD believe. But if I am truly honest with myself and with you, that isn’t always what I am living. It isn’t what I really believe. Lord, I so want the transformation that is only possible when You do the work! Show me how to partner with You in this work of transformation so that I can believe and become all that You designed me to be. Amen.