How To Change

ROMANS 12:2a NLT 2 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.

Many people would like to see change in their life. But how?

To change the way you act, you must first change the way you think. Because you act like the person you think you are.

But to change your thinking, you will need to focus on different information.

Our beliefs are the cause of our actions. So to permanently change behavior, beliefs must be changed.

A belief is a thought you have decided to accept as truth. You choose your beliefs. Then your beliefs determine your actions. You always act on what you believe.

As long as you think something is advantageous for you, you will keep doing it. When you realize something is not advantageous for you, you will stop it.

You may argue with this, thinking that you sometimes do things you know are not good for you. But you only do them if you think you are gaining some benefit from doing them. Usually it is choosing to receive a near-term benefit in exchange for longer-term harm.

Why do people do what they do? Because of what they believe. All people always do what they believe is their best choice at the time in order to get what they think they want. Always!

People normally do not act contrary to their beliefs, except under great pressure. But even when forced to do something against your will, you will only do it if it seems to be the best thing you can do under those circumstances.

When your beliefs change, your talking and your actions will also change. Trying to change your actions without first changing your beliefs will fail because your beliefs govern your actions.

For example, believing that God loves you instead of being mad at you will change the way you act. If you believe God loves you, you will turn to God when you need help. But if you believe God is mad at you, you will be hesitant to seek God's help.

Our beliefs may be based on incomplete and inaccurate information -- in fact they usually are. But our beliefs always determine our actions.

Humans are like a guided missile, programmed to change course when new information is presented and accepted.

So the first step for positive change in your life is to get information that will change the way you think. Read the letters to the Church in the New Testament and find out what Jesus Christ has done for you. Find out who you are in Christ. Find out how God sees you.

SAY THIS: To change my behavior, I must first change my beliefs.