Dec 10, 2009

Change

For the last few months, God has continually impressed the thought in my mind and heart that it's time to Change the Culture. It's time to stop yielding, adapting, and accommodating this world and start making changes that will last. How do we do that? First we need to recognize that change does not occur overnight or in one fell swoop. So how does change occur?

1. Change begins in the mind of an individual. As Christians we are to have the mind of Christ. We should consult God in everything. No thought is too small or insignificant to take to God for His perspective. We need to question our own views and search out scripture for sound biblical reasons for our views. Don't search to prove your own view correct but search for the Truth and ask God to reveal it. Keep at it until you know, that you know, that you know, that God has revealed it, and that you have a sound biblical basis for it. If you have a doubt about it later on, bring it back to Him again and ask Him to confirm again that you understand His perspective.

2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. - NIV (emphasis mine)

Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, - NKJV (emphasis mine)

The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. - MSG (emphasis mine)

2. Change occurs over a period of time but only when an action is applied. Change does not occur when there is no action. If change begins in the mind of an individual then the action must also begin with the individual. When we find those views that don't agree with God's perspective, and we will find some, we need to change our view and how it is lived out in our life, and adopt His perspective. Not doing so is a choice to conform to this world instead of the likeness of Christ.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son... Romans 8:29

3. Change will have opposition. Change does not occur without resistance to the opposition, and at times, a battle. The battle will affect the individual. It will likely begin in the mind with doubts, or justifications for not applying the change to our own lives. This is another reason it is so important to place every thought under the authority of Jesus Christ.

The battle is spiritual but plays itself out in the physical aspects of our lives. When we take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ, we gain a victory. Many of the doubts and discouraging thoughts that play through our minds are the whisperings of the enemy. If he can make you doubt God then he will render you ineffective. When you have thoughts like this, verbalize that you are taking that thought captive and making it obedient to Jesus Christ. In doing this you are resisting the devil and letting him know it. The enemy has no power over a child of God and must flee when you resist whether the battle is in the mind or obstacles that he is placing in your path.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Trying to resist the devil without submitting yourself to God is not only ineffective, but it is also dangerous. It is only by the Power of Jesus Christ that we can resist the devil. It is only by submitting to God that we have the Power of Christ. It is only by applying that Power, that we can change the culture. But we can change it through the Power of Christ.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. Colossians 2:9-10

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:26 NLT

I will be discussing this in more posts throughout the month and beyond as God leads. I would like to invite you to join me in seeking God's guidance and favor in purposefully changing this culture.

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"A girl needs to be so lost in God, that the guy is going to have to seek HIM to find her!" ...Maya Angelou

13 comments:

Sue J. said...

There's definitely a give-and-take between culture/world and God's kingdom/heart. We may see something wrong with the world and desire to change it, yet feel so powerless, which can lead to ignorance or apathy.

You have spelled out so beautifully here that God can take us down a very different road. We need to share our hearts with Him, so He can lead us to the Truth and make those permanent changes in our hearts, which can lead to clarity of mind and speech and action and everything else! Yes, ONLY God has the power to make such changes....

BUT, they CAN BE REALITY! And that's where faith comes in.

Wondering what He has shared with you and where His journey in you will lead. Hard not to be inspired looking at someone on fire for His kingdom! Powerful thoughts here today....

Andrea said...

Change begins with prayer. We are unable to change on our own, but GOD can change anything!
Blessings, andrea

My ADHD Me said...

Hi Edie. I really enjoyed reading this. So often I start to read posts and start...to....drift.....away.....but this held my attention and spoke to me.
"Don't search to prove your own view correct but search for the Truth."
I liked that. It is too easy to twist words around and read them as we want to see them rather than what is staring us in the face.

There was something about the word "Intently" in the bible verse Matthew 19:26, that made me invision Christ sitting there, staring into the eyes of his followers, and teaching them his Word.

Thanks again for a great post.
Have a wonderful day!

Angela said...

Great post, Edie! Christians need to not only read and share the gospel, but LIVE the gospel. ANd since the modern culture definitely is NOT living by the gospel, then there should be a definite difference between culture and Christians.

From the Heart said...

You are so right. We need to seek God about everything we do or say and follow His leading. I have been pondering about something I got in an email. I have put it in a post but have not posted it yet. What you've said makes me realize that I should follow what I feel God is telling me to do and quit listening to the enemy. Of course there will be people who will not accept it but if just one person does that makes two of us and one by one we can change our world. We just need to put out there what we are feeling led to do by God and then let Him take care of what happens and how others wlll react. I'm going to post it on my Christmas Blog today and to God be the glory. Thank you for helping me see what I should do.
Blessings, my friend,

Tammy said...

I'm so with you!
I was one of those Christians who I call "pickers and choosers" of the Word. If I didn't agree with it then I didn't live by it. Boy, that sure cause a lot damage.

"The battle is spiritual but plays itself out in the physical aspects of our lives." When I understood this and the victory that Jesus gave to me through His blood, I run with it. And my life as never been the same...Praise God!!!

Love and Hugs,
Tammy

RCUBEs said...

I love watching the surfers when they wait for the big wave. First, they go against the currents, until they see a huge one coming that takes them back to shore.

As Christians, we must do the same. We are not to go with the "flow" of this world. It's only by His strength that we can overcome these currents, and find that big wave.

I see the bliss on those surfers' faces as they ride in glory with the powerful wave. As others watch the whole time, until they reach the sandy shore.

May we ride for God's glory as others watch us leave those precious prints of a godly character before we even reach Home. Prayerfully, may others join us for this precious ride.

I would love to take this journey with you. Blessings to you sister. God bless. Have a blessed Christmas.

Kelly said...

You know, I've found that even as Christians together if one Christian makes a stand the rest are like "who does SHE think she is, or Holier than thou" comments. It is hard to follow God INTENTLY even in a Christian community. God's word has been watered down by "us."

I can't wait to keep reading. Keep it coming, Sister!

Heart2Heart said...

Edie,

What a great post! I've learned so much from everything you have written. We need to be keeping our eyes focused on God and our thoughts deeply in prayer and listening to the voice of God to be willing to act in His behalf.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

KrippledWarrior said...

Thank you Edie. Very thought provoking.

Kathy Schwanke said...

Thanks Edie! Awesome post! I have been prompted to post on exposing Christian cliche's that are unbiblical. I have noticed alot of them come across my path and my facebook. It always takes me back...where do they come up with this stuff?

Kelly's comment is sadly true. We all need to read John 17. It seems the devil has a foothold in our unity. I think it stems from flawed understanding/ lack of study of scripture.

B His Girl said...

We are called to be salt and light. If we do our part, we will change the culture. I think the church is sleeping. So glad you are calling us to wake up and be who we are supposed to be!
Go Tea Party Girl! B

B His Girl said...

Hi Edie,

I meant to share this a few days ago with you. (I have been on the road in South Florida.) It was your suggestion to go to YouTube that worked! I gave up on Blogger. Thanks so much. I think doing this was a major out of the box move for me! lol B