The Lies We Tell Ourselves!

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Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

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I am right in the thick of teaching Bible study.  Last week’s lesson on renewing the mind was one that we must learn to be fruitful in our walk with Jesus.  The biggest takeaway was that wherever we put our attention, that is what will form our minds.  TransFORMation or ConFORMity, the choice is ultimately ours!  Often, the LIES we tell ourselves are the thing that keeps us in bondage. We believe, “I can’t change; the best I can do is limp along.”  It is these lies that keep us down and keep us from experiencing the fruitful life Jesus wants us to have.  

I was in second grade, and my PE teacher had a rule; no one gets chosen unless their sneakers touch the black line.  One thing I knew for sure about this teacher, rules mattered to her.  So, with the toes of my sneaker placed firmly on the black line on the gym floor, my heels still reached high in the air.  Like every child in the room that day, I shouted, waving my outstretched hand, “Pick me, pick me!”  Of course, I didn’t expect to be picked first, but I desperately hoped I wouldn’t be last. The truth is I was worried I wouldn’t get chosen at all. 

I have often thought about the anxiety that I felt that day.  I was convinced that since I was brand new to this elementary school in the middle of the year, I was doomed to be last.  I hadn’t made friends yet, so my tension was palpably high.  All kinds of thoughts of failure and doom ran through my head as I waited.  I anxiously waited to hear, “I choose that new girl, Anne!” The truth is, I didn’t have to wait long to be chosen.  It was the lies that I was telling myself that stole my hope and joy on that day.  Isn’t this the way it is? The lies we tell ourselves are instrumental in forming who we think we are.

Research says that we tell ourselves between 300 and 1000 words per minute.  That is a lot of “silent talking” happening between our ears regularly!  And unfortunately, until we become intentional about changing that dialog from lies to truth, we will remain unchanged for the better.  Renewing our minds happens when we feed ourselves the truth of whom God says we are rather than lies from the many “voices” telling us otherwise.  The truth about who we are can only be found in one place, which is in the Word of God.  When we choose to pay attention to what God’s Word tells us about who we are, our minds begin to renew, and that renewal brings transformation.  

Jesus said the truth will set you free; what power the truth holds!  If you know Jesus, God’s word says, you are a child of God, you have been adopted, you are loved, and you have been chosen, you are united with Him, you are a citizen of heaven, and on and on…There are so many truths available in His word.  Get into the Word.  Allow the word of God to wash over you, ditch the lies, and be transformed by the renewing of your mind.