In Part I of "Thinking Differently About Change" we looked at several fundamental truths from Bob Hamp's Freedom Foundation series. Our first challenge was to understand what the word 'repent' truly means. What we discovered was that repentance involves thinking differently - and that changing direction is actually the fruit of that process of thinking differently. Also introduced in Part I was the concept of different levels that change occurs in our lives. The first three levels that change occurs in our lives - our environment, our behavior, and our capabilities are the areas that we most often address in attempts to change - but we also have noted that change at these three levels yields less meaningful, spiritual, and lasting change. We will resume our discussion at level four.
Level Four - Beliefs - What we believe is not necessarily what we think. Let me explain - often when asked what we believe we will answer with what we think. What we think involves our mind and mental processes. What we believe comes from our heart - the essence of who we are:
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Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (NIV)
The great thing about change at the level of our beliefs is that God is involved in the process thus making the change more dynamic. People are often asked if they believe in God - a better question is, "What do they believe about God and themselves?". How is change effected at the level of our beliefs? It begins when we begin to believe what God says about who He is and who we are in Him:
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Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (KJV)
Hearing the Word of God gives us the revelation of who God is and who He wants us to be in Him. What the hearing of the Word actually does is transform the contents of our heart. Ask God to speak to you through His Word about who He is, and, who you are in Him. As we do this we begin to see the importance of change at the next level - a level that is all about God.
Level Five - Identity - It sounds so simple - change at this level of our identity is seeing yourself as God does. God's plan and purpose for your life includes you fully living the abundant life in Jesus Christ that God created and redeemed you to live. The Kingdom of God is the place He has created for you to live - a place of life, power, peace, provision and the presence of God.
The question for us is: Will we live under the identity that the world and Satan have falsely put forth as who we are? Or, will we allow the Word of God to transform us and lead us to assume our true identity of who we are through God our Father, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit?
