As a Believer, What Shapes Your Views and Mindset?

AS A BELIEVER, WHAT SHAPES YOUR VIEWS AND MINDSET?

As an individual, what shapes your views and opinions about life? As a Christian, a truly born-again believer who is ransomed and redeemed by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, what shapes your mindset and determines your outlook and world-view?

These questions are important and relevant because, in today’s world, we see and hear different forms of views, opinions and mindsets that are surprising, worrisome, questionable and really mind-blowing, even among believers, especially when juxtaposed with the Bible and examined in the light of scriptures.

As children of God and citizens of His glorious Kingdom, we must periodically examine and audit our lives to know if they align with His standards. No wonder Apostle Paul counsels same in 2 Corinthians 13:5a: “Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith.”

One of such spiritual audits and examinations of faith as recommended by Paul which we must do is that of our mindsets, our beliefs and our thinking. In Proverbs 23:7a, the Bible says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

• Dear friend, how do you think?
• Do you know that your current position in life is a product of your thinking overtime?
• What are the things you think about?
• What influences the way you think about the things you think about?
• Do you have a right mind?
• Is your mind according to God’s own mind?
• Do you see yourself how God sees you or it’s only about how you see yourself or how others see you?
• What shapes your opinions and decisions? Is it the scriptures or your environment?

The children of Israel were to possess Canaan, God’s Promised Land for them. But because of their unbelief, most of them could not get there including 10 out of the 12 spies Moses sent ahead except for Caleb and Joshua who were positive and had different mindsets (Numbers 13-14).

In our world today, there are multitudes of people who allow their environment and culture to shape their beliefs and mindset. For some others, it is their friends. Those friends are the ones who counsel them and tell them what to do next. Sadly, because of evil counsels received from such friends who most times may even be unbelievers, many have ended up falling into costly errors with devastating lifetime consequences.

Someone like Amnon, David’s eldest son, raped his half-sister Tamar as a result of lust and wrong counsel from his best friend. He eventually died for it two years later although, by then, his evil friend who counselled him to destruction, was nowhere to protect him when he was brutally slain (2 Samuel 13:1-39)!

Another person like Gehazi was a servant of Elisha, the Prophet. Due to his disobedience, lie and greed, he went in secret to collect a gift His master rejected. As a result, he not only lost his position as a successor to Elisha but became a leper. He equally brought generational leprosy on his lineage (2 Kings 5). Gehazi’s wrong mindset ruined him totally.

For other people in our modern age, it is the media, whether print, electronic or the social media. They are swayed by the multitudes of news reports and opinions online as well as the power of advertising and marketing. Those are what influences their minds and decision making.

For some, they take their Pastors as their Alpha and Omega and the words of their biological or religious leaders as the beginning and the ending even though God Almighty is the one who should be the First and the Last for a truly matured believer.

Of course, while one’s parents must be honoured and genuine pastors and ministers of the gospel must be respected and reverenced as God’s servants and vessels, yet, we’ve seen parents confusing their children and pastors who preach fallacies and teach heresies and have subsequently led many astray.

For some individuals, it is the allure of material things as well as the attractions of enjoying the riches and pleasures of this world. For such types of individuals, in order to make money, they don’t mind committing cybercrimes or other forms of fraud. They are also okay with forgeries to get into positions of authority. To become rich and affluent, they are very much at home with joining cults or carrying out evil rituals.

In fact, some persons don’t mind selling their bodies or even disposing with certain parts of their body to get rich at all cost. They don’t care that their body is the temple of God that must be kept in good health and holy from fornication and adultery. They also fail to understand that it is the blessings of God that makes rich without adding any sorrow to it.

And there are many others who are swayed by peer pressure and what people around them are doing. Through these types of actions, many have surrendered their precious souls to the devil while losing their glorious destiny and divine purpose in the process. What a calamity!

Beloved, the Word of God, the Holy Bible, is expected to be our daily guide and standard for living. Someone like David understood this clearly during his lifetime. It was why he wrote in Psalm 48:14: “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death”. 

David had the right mindset, the full understanding and the wisdom to recognize that it is only God, through His instructions, as stated in His Word, and His directives as revealed or commanded, that must guide his life, his mindset and his belief system.

Because he had no illusions at all that He truly needed the right mindset to excel in life, David also cried to God in Psalm 51:10 when he prayed: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

Of course, I believe you know that the scriptures were inspired and written for our example. You also need the right spirit; the right mindset and the right mentality and it must be shaped by the Word of God.

Read and study the Bible daily. Meditate on scriptures. Allow its truth and light to transform your mind. Always pray. Ask God to give you fresh understanding and new insights every day. Be part of fellowships and services. Read and listen to faith-building books and materials. Seek more of His wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all you do.

As your steps are directed and ordered by God, you can always be sure that you won’t ever miss your way in the journey of life. With His guidance, you can be confident that you will fulfill your divine destiny like our Lord Jesus Christ did, no matter what the devil may want to bring against you.

Remember, when Satan wanted to tempt and trick our Lord Jesus Christ out of His purpose, he offered to give Him the kingdoms of this world if only Jesus would bow to him. But our Saviour and Lord was wiser and couldn’t be deceived because He had the right mindset. He knew the redemption purpose for which He came to the earth and He would not allow any devil or anything derail Him. He was not ignorant of the devices of the devil and responded with the word. The right word was what guided His response just as the right word from God is more than enough for you to answer whatever questions life may be throwing at you.

That’s why the necessity of renewing your mind is paramount and fundamental to your spiritual growth and development. And it’s important to whether you will fulfil your destiny and divine purpose on earth or otherwise. Beloved, guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life.

Yes, the economy of nations may be facing turmoil across the world today. However, when others are saying there is a casting down, you are to say there is a lifting up. Never join the chorus of people who make song about the bad economy and how things may never change for the better but get worse.

You are a chosen generation. A royal priesthood. A holy nation. A peculiar people. You are to show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light on earth. When others suffer lack, your heavenly father has promised to supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. You must believe it. You must confess and profess it to see its manifestation in your life.

Therefore, take heed to this counsel in Romans 12: 2: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

Whatever question of life you may have, remember, the Bible addresses it and provides a relevant and applicable answer that will work any day, anytime, and anywhere no matter who you are.

Henceforth, ask God to help renew your mind so your spirit and mindset can perfectly align with His will for His divine agenda to become fully manifest in your life.

Finally, brethren, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).

You are mighty, anointed, prosperous and blessed beyond any curse in Jesus Name. That’s who you are and never stop believing it.

Shalom!