Transformation Equation

Romans 12:2 NASB95

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

A key lesson of this scripture: a transformed life starts with a renewed mind

so, how can we renew our minds?

God has given me a transformation equation:

words - beliefs - actions

the words you hear cause you to form beliefs, and your beliefs cause you to act a certain way

you can reverse engineer it: my actions came about because of my beliefs, my beliefs came about because of the words in my mind

words - beliefs - actions

Word - the employer says your salary will be $1,000 per week, and you will be paid at the end of the month

Belief - you take the word of the employer and believe it will be beneficial to go to work at this company.

Actions - so you choose to work all month without receiving any compensation until the end of the month.

words - beliefs - actions

Words

Put it all together - right words will lead to the right beliefs, which will lead to the right actions

so today we will start with words, they are the foundation of the transformation equation . . . the journey to renewing your mind and transforming your life begins with the right words

How do we get these words?

upbringing

friends

culture

school

experiences

songs

entertainment

Word of God

old computer programming saying, “garbage in, garbage out”

so we need the right words, The Bible says it this way

John 8:32 NASB95

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

And what is the truth? The Word of God

Psalm 119:160 NASB95

160 The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

2 Timothy 3:16 NASB95

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

If you want transformation, you need the truth of the Word of God

So you need the truth. True Words

Problem #1 - Finding the true words

Problem #2 - Exposing the lies

Common lies

it is impossible

it is too hard

short term results are better than long term results

Problem #2 - wanting the True words, some people love darkness

John 3:19–21 NASB95

19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 “But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

Where did you get your words from?

The source of the words is important.

The world has learned that repetition of words is important

commercials

school

pledge of allegiance

coaches

another reason to read the Bible three times per day

Word: The True Words say this . . . .

hard part - so many words out there competing

Romans 10:17 NASB95

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Proverbs 18:21 NASB95

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Beliefs

What do you believe? Really believe?

You actions will tell you, actions don’t lie

Belief: So it will be beneficial for me to . . .

hardest part

Two main categories

This will be beneficial to me

This will be harmful to me

Sub-categories

this will make things better

this will make things worse

this will keep things the same

Familiar is better than new

things won’t change

I have time to do better later

this is right, this is wrong

doing right will work out for me

I can get away with doing wrong

it’s right to do wrong because it is beneficial for me “I had to get the bag”

everyone works on beliefs

we have a set of beliefs that guide are lives

even atheist BELIEVE there is no god, they can’t prove it

Actions

if actions are right, then beliefs were right, and thus the words were right

If actions are wrong, then beliefs were wrong, and thus the words were wrong

Once you are aware of a habit, it has become a choice . . .based on beliefs (even a wrong one)

I walk it out

I make the choice - product of our choices, actions

I put in the work

I don’t put in the work

I choose a direction

Action: Do it . . . .

easiest part contrary to popular opinion (words, belief about how hard it is), once you really believe something it becomes very possible, even it you don’t like it