Yesterday, I mentioned that we need to choose change. It all starts with changing our thinking.
Romans 12:2 New International Version (NIV)
2 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.
2 Corinthians 10:5 New International Version (NIV)
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.
Philippians 4:8 New International Version (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Our thoughts are what lead us astray. We think about something and it becomes a desire. The more we think about it the more we want it. This leads us to live as the world wants us to live and we end up living according to our flesh.
Take a gambler. Is a gambler born or made? I would argue that a gambler is made. Before gambling becomes an addiction, a person has the choice to not do it. After they have made that first bet, they could have decided that this is not for me and walked away. Yet they continue to place bets thinking “I will always win the next one.”. Before you know it, it has become a habit and now they are addicted. At any time, they could walk away, but they choose not too. To those that have realized that they are in trouble and are doing something about it, I applaud you.
You have changed your thinking. Now do the same thing with regards to Christ. Change your thinking and start thinking what would Christ do.