How To Be More Like Christ
Spiritual Disciplines - Part 1
Spiritual disciplines are the things we must practice in order to become more like Christ. Notice I said practice. We will not be perfect at them and we will not do them right all the time. The key to maturing in Christ is based on us getting back up each time we fall down and pushing forward no matter what. It requires intentional effort and a strong desire and determination to make it to the end.
Jesus promises that we will win - if we don't quit (Gal. 6:9).
Our study of the spiritual disciplines will come from the four gospels. Remember these books are eye witness accounts of the the life and words of Jesus Christ. These stories were the breaking news of their day. They are the history of the church and the foundation of our faith in the One Who lived and died so that we could have life and life more abundant (John 10:10).
The first discipline we are going to look at is repentance.
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17 ESV
Repentance is a process. I've heard many people say that repentance means to "turn around and go in the opposite direction" and the truth is that turning from your sin is only part of what it means to repent.
The word itself comes from the Greek word metanoia and it simply means to "change your mind." The Amplified Bible says it like this:
I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of Repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Repentance is a process. I've heard many people say that repentance means to "turn around and go in the opposite direction" and the truth is that turning from your sin is only part of what it means to repent.
The word itself comes from the Greek word metanoia and it simply means to "change your mind." The Amplified Bible says it like this:
I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of Repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Matthew 3:11 Amplified
The process begins with us recognizing that some area in our life is contrary to God's word. Acknowledging that we are living in opposition to God leads us to confession.
True confession consists of at least three people - you, God, and someone you trust. Without the third person, it is easy for us to get caught on the merry-go-round of repeating a sin, apologizing to God, being "good" for a period of time, and then caving in again to the temptation to sin. This is also known as insanity.
Having another person to be accountable to helps you make better choices. Let's face it, none of us like to admit that we messed up again in an area that we know is wrong. It's that uncomfortable feeling that helps us to make better choices so we don't have to admit to another fall.
True repentance means to change the way you think about something. If you didn't know you were in the wrong before, repentance makes your error very clear. With that knowledge comes the decision to not make that same mistake again. This change in your thinking produces a change in your behavior or your words.
Repentance means to change your mind to the point that your words and your actions are different from what they have been in the past.
Are you struggling with a bad habit or a hidden sin? If so, spend some time searching your Bible for verses that pertain to that topic. Teach yourself to view that issue through the eyes of God. Need help with that? Let me know in the comment section.
Also, don't forget to sign up to have each article sent directly to your email. I promise not to share it with anyone else.
Live God First!
Heidirn
The process begins with us recognizing that some area in our life is contrary to God's word. Acknowledging that we are living in opposition to God leads us to confession.
True confession consists of at least three people - you, God, and someone you trust. Without the third person, it is easy for us to get caught on the merry-go-round of repeating a sin, apologizing to God, being "good" for a period of time, and then caving in again to the temptation to sin. This is also known as insanity.
Having another person to be accountable to helps you make better choices. Let's face it, none of us like to admit that we messed up again in an area that we know is wrong. It's that uncomfortable feeling that helps us to make better choices so we don't have to admit to another fall.
True repentance means to change the way you think about something. If you didn't know you were in the wrong before, repentance makes your error very clear. With that knowledge comes the decision to not make that same mistake again. This change in your thinking produces a change in your behavior or your words.
Repentance means to change your mind to the point that your words and your actions are different from what they have been in the past.
Are you struggling with a bad habit or a hidden sin? If so, spend some time searching your Bible for verses that pertain to that topic. Teach yourself to view that issue through the eyes of God. Need help with that? Let me know in the comment section.
Also, don't forget to sign up to have each article sent directly to your email. I promise not to share it with anyone else.
Live God First!
Heidirn
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