Break Thought Patterns

 Break Thought Patterns

1 Corinthians 8: ⁷ But not everyone knows this truth. Some people have been so used to idols that to this day when they eat such food they still think of it as food that belongs to an idol; their conscience is weak, and they feel they are defiled by the food. ⁸ Food, however, will not improve our relation with God; we shall not lose anything if we do not eat, nor shall we gain anything if we do eat.

 

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“Step on a crack, break your mother’s back. Step on a line, break your mother’s spine” were the superstitious rhymes told to me that I quickly believed. I didn’t want to hurt my mother so I avoided stepping on cracks and lines in the sidewalk at all cost. But one dreaded day, I stepped on a crack! I went home later that day and saw she was fine.

 

• There were times when I let superstitions guide my actions.
• There were times when I let old sayings determine my outcomes.
• There were times when I let idols provide me with my path, even though they were powerless.

 

Paul continues addressing an issue that people were concerned about. He lets people know that food does not “belong” to an idol because an idol is powerless. He says “their conscience is weak.” Then he provides the real solution, GOD.

 

• GOD wants me to drop my superstitions, and place my trust in HIM.
• GOD wants me to drop my control, and place my faith in HIM.
• GOD wants me to drop my fears, doubts and worries, and place my confidence in HIM.

 

Thinking I can control outcomes is a huge problem. I mean, when I subject my thinking to superstitions and hearsay, I can get tossed around by life very easily. I wind up following something that leads me to a dead end where I cannot answer the question “now what?” when a problem arises.

 

BUT GOD provides the solution. HE gave me the HOLY SPIRIT, who loves me and is concerned about me. I am led by HIM to the truth, which sets me free. I may sin, but I am freed from the bondage of my sins. I am glad I do not have to let fear, doubt and worry rule when I know GOD is for me.

 

• Are you following superstitions?
• Does your thought pattern automatically begin with negative versus trust in GOD?
• Will you break your natural thinking and ask GOD for the faith, love and hope you need so you can grow in HIM today to bear HIS fruit of the Spirit?

GOD is still a jealous GOD

^{Joshua 23:14} “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. ¹⁵ But just as all the good things the Lord your God has promised you have come to you, so he will bring on you all the evil things he has threatened, until the Lord your God has destroyed you from this good land he has given you. 

¹⁶ If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.”

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“What’s your sign?” was the confusing question of the unmentioned decade. Yes I’m old! Someone told me my “sign” and I didn’t think anything of it until the newspaper arrived. My horoscope said something in some futuristic kind of vague language that caught my attention. From then I looked at my horoscope wondering if “it” was going to tell me my future.

• I have made the mistake of placing superstition over GOD.
• I have made the mistake of putting my trust in winning the Lottery rather than trusting GOD.
• I have made the mistake of carrying around a lucky item rather than believing all blessings come from GOD.

Some of my superstitions even crept into church where I would treat the items with higher esteem than people. When I believed in a lucky or superstitious thing, it seemed like my wants and desires weren’t being met. How can I get my way?

• GOD says “Do not place any other god before ME” including lucky items or superstitions.
• GOD says “I will supply your needs” including food, shelter and sometimes money.
• GOD says “I will provide” including the right people, job, health and customers.

For me, I have to follow GOD.  It seems like I can’t even dabble in believing in a piece of wood or a cloth or even a printed book. I must believe in the word GOD has given to guide me along the way. The more I can follow HIS commandment of loving one another the better off I am.

• Are you following something that is not of GOD?
• Do you believe in something that GOD is not blessing you with?
• Can you drop your superstition or belief in luck and turn to GOD?
• Will you start trusting in GOD a little more today?

Weak forces make me weak

Galatians 4: ⁹ But now that you know God—or rather are known by God —how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!10 

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Nimble footed was my practice as I hopped over each crack in the pavement. “Step on a crack, break your mothers’ back” was the superstition I was trying to avoid. I also took special care not to break any mirrors which was supposed to bring seven years bad luck. When things went wrong I wondered what superstition had I missed. Did I walk under a ladder or something?

• When I believe in “luck” more than GOD I’m on the wrong path.
• When I believe in “fate” more than GOD I’m on the wrong path.
• When I believe in “dates” more than GOD I’m on the wrong path.

I would attribute bad situations to Friday the 13^th or Halloween. It seemed like luck, fate and dates were running my life. BUT GOD has something different in mind for me.

• GOD’s power is greater than any worry I can have.
• GOD’s love is greater than any sin I can commit.
• GOD’s grace is greater than any doubt I can muster up.
• GOD’s mercy is greater than any malefaction I can commit.

My superstitions got in the way of having a clear view of what GOD could do in my life. I wanted things to go my way so I placed my hope in things far weaker than GOD. I searched for four leaf clovers and hoped the lottery would come through someday. GOD’s power is greater than any charm, scheme or luck I can ever fall into. I put my trust in GOD and HE has brought me peace.

• What have you placed your belief in?
• Do you trust other things outside of GOD?
• Can you turn your trust in GOD a little more today?
• Will you let go of one of your superstitions today?