Approach to Problems

FEELINGS:
Matt.12:33-37 - We are the sum of what we encountered in life and our reactions to them whether positive or negative. Being conditioned by life's experiences, we are proned to react to life impulsively and instinctively rather than to respond on the basis of considered judgment. Man's words and manner of speech reveal his inner life, where his focus is, and who and what determines his peace and joy. See l John 2:3-6 ; Matt.5:44 , Gal.5:19-21 , Col.3:5-9 .

Our usual focus is on what others have done or failed to do, and our reaction is usually to condemn or criticize, blameshift, expressing anger, fear, worry, self-pity, frustration, envy, depression, despair, bitterness, etc. These are all feelings and are fertile areas in which Satan operates and upon which he feeds, Gen.4:7 .

DOING:
John 14:21 , James 1:22-25 - As one acts upon feelings the effect is usually unbiblical such as: critical spirit, unkind and bitter words, verbal attacks, demeaning comments, striking others, throwing things, holding grudges, brooding, drunkenness, addictions to drugs, sex, pornography, anorexia, bulimia, etc. These actions reveal self serving self, the creature, rather than serving God, the Creator. Anything done without faith, without reference to God's word is sin. See James 4:17 , Eph.4:29 , Rom.2:6-9 , Jn.3:21 , l Jn.2:3-6 , Prov.1:22-31 , Ro.8:13 .

ROOT:
2 Cor.5:17 - Our responses or reactions to life reflect our true roots, the source of our problems. Accordingly, the essence or substance of a man are his thoughts, his speech and his actions. Here we can identify the sin patterns and strongholds developed over the years that characterize the lifestyle and personality of the individual.

Category of root problems are: hypocrisy, manipulation, lying, cheating, stealing, boasting, blameshifting, self-centeredness, self-protection, self-interest, anger, impatience, self-pity, lust, immorality, greed, malice, deceit, a life characterized by self being on the throne of your life.

• KEY:
  We establish godly roots by changing "I" to "We", you in union with Christ which begins with the new birth, followed by daily renewal of the mind as we begin to confront life on the basis of God's words and principles, dead to sin and alive to God, 2 Cor.10:3-5 , Gal.5:22-23 , 2 Pet.1:3-8, Eph.4:22-24 , Col.3:10 .
  

Approach to Solutions

UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM FROM GOD'S POINT OF VIEW:
Isa.55:8-9 , Prov.14:12 - We are to look at life from God's perspective, His view, not from our way, experiences, ideas, opinions, what others say, the world's philosophy or its psychology. The basic problem and the supreme challenge you will face in making Christ-honoring changes is dying to self. The biblical perspective concerning 'self' is exactly opposite to what the wisdom of this world proclaims, Lu.9:23-24 . Accordingly, to live biblically is to respond to life's challenges in a manner that pleases and honors God, no longer pleasing and gratifying self, l Cor.3:19-20 , l Jn.2:15-17 , l Cor.2:12-13 , l Jn.2:20 ,27 .

HOPE:
Heb.6:18-20 - Hope is an anchor of the soul because it affects our mind and emotions. Christ within me, the Anointed One, breaks the yoke of life's pressures on me, and my job is to develop this inner image of Christ within me, that in Him, I am more than a conqueror, never under but always over circumstances, no matter what I face in life. To really believe this in the inner core of my being that all God's promises are mine depends upon my living in and by the living word of God, John 16:33 , James 1:2-4 .

Eze.36:26-27 - God gave me a heart of flesh, put His Spirit within me, and gives me power to carry out His commands.
l Cor.2:12-13 - Being a child of God, I receive revelation knowledge by the word of God in and through my human spirit.
Rom.8:28-29 - No matter what happens to me in life when I call upon God He will intervene in my life ,He will reach into my experiences, redeem my past, and cause things to work out for my benefit.
l Cor.10:13 - God is the One Who is faithful. As I put my faith in Him, He will bring me out successfully.
Heb.4:15-16 , 7:25 - All I have to do is ask boldly, and God's Grace is available to me, and the blood of Jesus Christ intercedes always, washing and cleansing from all sense of guilt and shame whether real or imaginary.
Rom.6:3-6 - My old human nature and all my past has been buried with Christ when I was baptized into His death. At the burial I was also raised with Him into the newness of life, freed from the power of sin, and free now to do acts of righteousness.

CHANGE:

• Gen.4:7 , Eph.5:14-16 - We must choose to change, God will not do it for us. We cannot take living for granted, being careless or casual about our thinking, speaking and acting. God put us on this earth to actively replace evil with righteousness.
• Matt.7:1-5 , l Cor.11:28-31 - Critical that I judge myself daily, that I am walking in the Spirit, responding to life God's way, then I will be in the position to help restore others.
• Rom.12:1-2 - My total being belongs to the Lord for His use. This requires a total overhaul of my person, separating myself from my past, and the world's system and influences in order to be conformed to the ways of the Lord.
• Eph.4:25-32 , Col.3:5-17 , Rom.12:9-21 , l Pet. chapters 2 and 3 - Listed in these references are the basic put-offs and put-ons to guide and lead one to live a biblical lifestyle.
• Rom.8:29 , l Jn.3:8 - Examine self daily to see if I am living by God's standards for that day, being a blessing and destroying the works of the devil.
  

PRACTICE
Ps.1:1 , Jn.15:5 - The enemy never stops working which compels us to be completely dependent upon the Lord 24 hours a day, always conscious of His Presence, and to be actively involved in the pursuit of establishing His righteousness in all of life's endeavors.
James 1:21-25 - Through the meditation process, we change our inner man, the root, and from the godly root, our thoughts, our speech, and our actions would then be consistent with God's standards. This continues until we experience the fullness of God and express His Presence wherever we go.
Eph.4:22-24 , l Jn.2:3-5 - We are to identify areas that need changing, being specific to identify put-offs and appropriate put-ons.

Homework

Memory verse :

Joshua 1:8 .

Devotions :

BSAF on Eph.4:25-32 .

Put-off / Put-on :

Complete columns 1 thru 4 on VOSWS, review the change verses above especially Eph.4:25-32 , Rom.12:9-21 , l Pet. chapters 2 and 3. Preview the 'Think and Do' list.

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