Perhaps the hardest part of being a Christian is changing our mind set. We cannot change habits and attitudes, unless we first change the way we think. What do you spend most of your time thinking about? That is a good indication of what is most important to you. If we want to change so that ‘we do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,’ then we need to do as the Bible commands and ‘be transformed by the renewing of your mind,’ Romans. 12:2. To have any hope of achieving this, we need to have an active plan in place to help bring this about.
Here are seven steps designed to help us achieve this goal.
1. Spend time with the Lord each day. Make it a priority. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to make God’s Word clear to you.
2. Read God’s Word, not occasionally, but each day. Make a habit of memorizing specific verses, so that you can recall them in times of temptation or other difficult times.
3. Think about what God’s Word is saying and how it applies to our lives. What things might need to be changed?
4. Remember the TV comes with an off switch. Don’t hesitate to use it. Some people leave the TV going each night and sit in front of it to watch whatever happens to be on, whether they are interested in it or not. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating turning the TV off all together. My husband and I certainly watch TV when the Sydney Swans are playing footy, or when favorite shows are on. Rather than have the TV on every night, when we get the program guide each week, we mark the particular shows we plan to watch. Before you sit down to watch any TV show, think if Jesus returned, would you be happy to have Him find you watching that show? Or would you be embarrassed and ashamed? The same applies to what you read, listen to or talk about.
5. Sometimes instead my husband and I might listen to music, read a book, play a game or sit and talk. And each evening we have a time of bible study and prayer together, which is precious in bringing us closer to each other as well as to the Lord.
6. Read a book, go to an art gallery or the theatre or spend time with friends. Think carefully about what you fill your mind with. Think about ‘whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things,’ Philippians 4:8.
7. Take a walk and enjoy God’s creation. Think about all the beauty of this world He has created for us to live in and praise Him for them.
All Bible references taken from the New International Version
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