Changing The Tape
Friday February 1, 2013
Everyone who struggles with addictive behaviours holds many beliefs about themselves that are not consistent with who they really are in Christ. The devil accuses us day and night. Our bodies and minds scream at us that we are an addict, a no-good sinner, and worthless. These are lies that keep us in bondage. The ultimate lie is to believe that freedom from our addictive behaviour is not possible or that attaining a life of meaning and purpose is too difficult.
It’s true that moral guidance and counsel need to be given, but the way you say it and to whom you say it are as important as what you say. It’s obvious, isn’t it, that the law code isn’t primarily for people who live responsibly, but for the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever! They are contemptuous of this great Message I’ve been put in charge of by this great God. (1 Timothy 1:8-11 MSG) Who do the tapes playing in my head say that I am? Who does God say I am? What are my felt needs right now? How does God say He’ll meet those needs? Where do I think my life seems headed? What does God say about His plans for me? On which information will I base my beliefs and actions today? Is it freedom I actually want or more of the same bondage from things that held me captive in the past? How I got to where I am is through my own faulty thinking and flawed solutions. Where I go from here can be truly different as I choose to apply God’s freeing truth to my daily living.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13 NIV)
What has happened to us in the past is not to blame for our present mental, emotional, spiritual and physical state. We are in this condition because of how we chose to interpret and respond to life situations. We are here primarily because of our belief systems. Jesus Christ offers us a new path to relationship, truth, and freedom. The choice is ours!
Jesus said, "You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 8:31-32 and 10:10b NLT)
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