If I Want to Change, Start with My Thinking

“Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)

Change requires new thinking. In order to change, I must learn the truth and start making good choices, but I must also change the way I think.

The way I think determines the way I feel, and the way I feel determines the way I act. So if I want to change the way I act and feel, I must start with the way I think.

For instance, I can say, “I need to love my spouse more.” But just saying that isn’t going to change anything. I can’t change my feelings just by willpower. I first must change the way I think about my spouse. This will eventually change the way I feel, which will then change the way I act. The Bible says, “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes” (Ephesians 4:23 NLT).

The battle for sin—and the battle to deal with those defects in my life that I don’t like—starts in my mind. If I want to change my behavior or emotions, start with my thoughts and attitude.

The renewal of my mind is related to the word “repentance.” I know repentance is a dirty word for a lot of people. They think it means something bad, something they don’t really want to do, something painful. They think of a guy standing on a street corner with a sign that says, “Repent! The world’s about to end!”

But “repent” simply means to make a mental U-turn. Repentance is about more than changing my behavior. It’s about changing my mind and learning to think differently.

I turn from guilt to forgiveness, from frustration to freedom, from darkness to light, from hatred and bitterness to love.

I may also need to change the way I think about God. He’s not mad at me; he’s mad about me! I’m deeply flawed, but I’m deeply loved.

So when I want to change, start with my mind. I can change the way I think about all kinds of things—work, relationships, the economy, the world, and my past, present, and future. Changing the way I think will eventually change my emotions and my behavior.

In summary:

The key to change starts with transforming our thinking. The way we think affects how we feel, and in turn, how we act. To change our actions and emotions, we must first adjust our mindset. The Bible encourages letting the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4:23).

Repentance is about changing our way of thinking, not just behavior. It involves a mental shift from guilt to forgiveness, frustration to freedom, and bitterness to love. Changing our perspective on God is also crucial, recognizing that He loves us despite our flaws. Ultimately, altering our thoughts about various aspects of life—such as work, relationships, and the future—will lead to changes in emotions and actions.