How to break mental habits?

[ResidentAlien]

Romans 12:2 says: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and well pleasing and perfect will of God."

To me, this means is we need to change old mental habits. Changing mental habits can be accomplished through certain mind training techniques; but it's impossible to change mental habits into those which please God without help from the Holy Spirit.

Usually the Holy Spirit will help us by giving us a new direction: Bible study, fellowship, new environment, etc. But what if this isn't enough? What things has the Holy Spirit directed you to do to change those stubborn mental habits that are seemingly impossible to change?

 

[cdan2]

What things has the Holy Spirit directed you to do to change those stubborn mental habits that are seemingly impossible to change?

Mostly I just have to pray about it and work hard at it. And with God's help, I have improved!

I trained myself to think as I do- probably with a little satanic help- for years! So now I must "untrain" my thoughts. It's been hard, and sometimes I still fail. But it's worth the effort; and kinda great when God does show up and I win a major victory! But beware: I've learned that the time the enemy will ambush me is just after such a victory, because I am feeling good and my guard slips. But what's better than a victory with God? TWO victories, back to back!

 

[TheLearner]

I look for triggers to alert me to change what I am thinking.

 

[soberxp]

Take me for example. The Holy Spirit will remind me when necessary, not explicitly tell me How, but hint at my problems.

God's power is peaceful.
I will try to peaceful , not let myself be taken away by the rhythm of the world, keep my calm within a reasonable range, recall my shortcomings, and recall the words of the Bible to remind myself.

for example，As a Chinese,when the media reported on the News between China and the United States is usually to provoke mutual hatred.(I mean, the media coverage on both sides is basically the same.) I will always remind myself that love your enemies, I will not let myself be as the world.

 

[Godsgirl83]

Romans 12:2 says: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and well pleasing and perfect will of God."

I once asked the Lord about "renewing my mind" and what that meant.......
the answer that came was Philippians 4: 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.

I began to realize that certain things/thoughts that had control of my mind did NOT line up to this list.
Also began to seek out scriptures that either proved certain thoughts to be ungodly so that when those thoughts tried to rise again I could say "It is written" or "The Word of God says .................... about that, so this thought does not line up to Philippians 4:8, and it's time to focus on something else"

 

[Blik]

We all have a sort of tape that runs in our minds all the time we are awake. It is keyed by the subconscious mind, and is programmed when we are very young or when we are very quiet inside, like when we are almost asleep or watching an absorbing TV program. We need to listen to ourselves! I found, once, that my program was that I was so wrong, usually, that I brought on bad things in my life!

I was unaware this this was part of what I believed in, but I one day found myself looking at the rain that stopped the children from going out to play and wondering what I did wrong to cause it to rain!! Finally, I understood that thinking was not logical. I had to learn how to reprogram my mind with truth.

We are told to pray daily for our daily bread. God considers the ideas we hear as part of our food. Scripture says that food for the stomach is eliminated, but food for our minds stay with us. We should feed our spirit. We are told to monitor our thoughts to conform to Phil. 4:8 as Godsgirl told us.

 

[pottersclay]

I have almost stopped killing people.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

I have almost stopped killing people.

We can help lol

 

[pottersclay]

We can help lol

 

[Lanolin]

Romans 12:2 says: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and well pleasing and perfect will of God."

To me, this means is we need to change old mental habits. Changing mental habits can be accomplished through certain mind training techniques; but it's impossible to change mental habits into those which please God without help from the Holy Spirit.

Usually the Holy Spirit will help us by giving us a new direction: Bible study, fellowship, new environment, etc. But what if this isn't enough? What things has the Holy Spirit directed you to do to change those stubborn mental habits that are seemingly impossible to change?

gardening is incredibly therapeutic

Actually there is now a book published called 'The well-gardened mind' and its about how gardening helps you think better...well seasoned gardeners will always tell you that anyway!

One teacher in the concrete jungle of the Bronx found this out check out the book 'the power of a plant'.

You might think the Holy Spirit isnt involved in gardening.,,its something anyone can do and not just christians. But it actually goes way back to when God first planted a garden in Eden.

 

[TheLearner]

Take me for example. The Holy Spirit will remind me when necessary, not explicitly tell me How, but hint at my problems.

God's power is peaceful.
I will try to peaceful , not let myself be taken away by the rhythm of the world, keep my calm within a reasonable range, recall my shortcomings, and recall the words of the Bible to remind myself.

for example，As a Chinese,when the media reported on the News between China and the United States is usually to provoke mutual hatred.(I mean, the media coverage on both sides is basically the same.) I will always remind myself that love your enemies, I will not let myself be as the world.

Remember friend, there is no temptation that is common to people, God gives us a way out. We just need to choose to use that escape hatch.

 

[TheLearner]

I once asked the Lord about "renewing my mind" and what that meant.......
the answer that came was Philippians 4: 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.

I began to realize that certain things/thoughts that had control of my mind did NOT line up to this list.
Also began to seek out scriptures that either proved certain thoughts to be ungodly so that when those thoughts tried to rise again I could say "It is written" or "The Word of God says .................... about that, so this thought does not line up to Philippians 4:8, and it's time to focus on something else"

Being filled with and walking in the Spirit also helps along with the fruit of the Spirit.

 

[TheLearner]

2 Peter 1
Easy-to-Read Version
1 Greetings from Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.

To all of you who share in the same valuable faith that we have. This faith was given to us because our God and Savior Jesus Christ always does what is good and right.

2 Grace and peace be given to you more and more, because now you know God and Jesus our Lord.

God Has Given Us Everything We Need
3 Jesus has the power of God. And his power has given us everything we need to live a life devoted to God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus chose us by his glory and goodness, 4 through which he also gave us the very great and rich gifts that he promised us. With these gifts you can share in being like God. And so you will escape the ruin that comes to people in the world because of the evil things they want.

5 Because you have these blessings, do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith add goodness; to your goodness add knowledge; 6 to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add patience; to your patience add devotion to God; 7 to your devotion add kindness toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, and to this kindness add love. 8 If all these things are in you and growing, you will never fail to be useful to God. You will produce the kind of fruit that should come from your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who don’t grow in these blessings are blind. They cannot see clearly what they have. They have forgotten that they were cleansed from their past sins.

10 My brothers and sisters, God called you and chose you to be his. Do your best to live in a way that shows you really are God’s called and chosen people. If you do all this, you will never fall. 11 And you will be given a very great welcome into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a kingdom that never ends.

12 You already know these things. You are very strong in the truth you have. But I am always going to help you remember them. 13 While I am still living here on earth, I think it is right for me to remind you of them. 14 I know that I must soon leave this body. Our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that. 15 I will try my best to make sure you remember these things even after I am gone.

We Saw Christ’s Glory
16 We told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. We told you about his coming. The things we told you were not just clever stories that people invented. No, we saw the greatness of Jesus with our own eyes. 17 Jesus heard the voice of the great and glorious God. That was when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice said, “This is my Son, the one I love. I am very pleased with him.” 18 And we heard that voice. It came from heaven while we were with Jesus on the holy mountain.[a]

19 This makes us more sure about what the prophets said. And it is good for you to follow closely what they said, which is like a light shining in a dark place. You have that light until the day begins and the morning star brings new light to your minds. 20 Most important of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in the Scriptures comes from the prophet’s own understanding. 21 No prophecy ever came from what some person wanted to say. But people were led by the Holy Spirit and spoke words from God.

Footnotes
2 Peter 1:18 This event is described in the Gospels. See Mt. 17:1-8; Mk. 9:2-8; Lk. 9:28-36.
1 Peter 5
2 Peter 2

 

[TheLearner]

I have almost stopped killing people.

We should get together sometime, that sounds like a fun spree.

 

[TheLearner]

I made a pack with my eyes to look away from sinful temptations like Hallie Berry.

 

[Blik]

I have almost stopped killing people.

If you define killing in the same way Christ defined it in the sermon on the mount, that is such a very worthwhile goal and not easily achieved. I see this sin committed even by Christians in these posts.

 

[Godsgirl83]

the fruit of the Spirit.

Ah yes, I should've remembered to add that list as well, for it is also a good list of examples to stop and check oneself against. Just as Philippians 4:8 guides us in what to think upon, Galatians 5:22 shows us the fruit (or evidence of) what we think upon. I like how the Amplified Bible explains it:
But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness.

Going back to Philippians 4, just before the list of things to think upon;
verses 6&7 show us another way to renew our minds/keep our minds on the list from vs 8:

6)Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


2 Corinthians 10: 3-5
3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,


*note: sometimes those strongholds are the thoughts we allow ourselves to think- the ones that are contrary to what the Word of God says; we have to stop, take control of that thought, and compare it to what the Word of God says.

 

[ResidentAlien]

I once asked the Lord about "renewing my mind" and what that meant.......
the answer that came was Philippians 4: 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.

I began to realize that certain things/thoughts that had control of my mind did NOT line up to this list.
Also began to seek out scriptures that either proved certain thoughts to be ungodly so that when those thoughts tried to rise again I could say "It is written" or "The Word of God says .................... about that, so this thought does not line up to Philippians 4:8, and it's time to focus on something else"

That's a great passage. At one point I memorized it and recited it over and over to myself in some circumstances.

 

[pottersclay]

If you define killing in the same way Christ defined it in the sermon on the mount, that is such a very worthwhile goal and not easily achieved. I see this sin committed even by Christians in these posts.

I think you get me

 

[ResidentAlien]

The Lord showed me awhile back I had to stop watching television, movies, unChristian things online and listening to worldly music. These are all things that contribute to sinful thought patterns. I'm sure some will say this is extreme and unnecessary; and maybe it is for some people. However, I never really understood the extent to which these things controlled my mind until I unplugged.

It was rough at first. For the first couple of years I left the internet alone except occasionally on public networks in the library, etc. It's been almost three years and now I'm comfortable using the internet without temptation. But I still primarily use public networks.

I feel like I have my life back, thanks to Him. "Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." All these things are how the world (ruled by Satan) teaches people to sin. "No one can serve two masters." Recently I spent a couple of weeks in a situation where there was a TV. I watched, but I didn't have the same need to watch like I used to. When the two weeks was over I was thinking, this stuff is really stupid. I was glad to get outta there.

I'm not telling anyone they should follow in my footsteps; but it is critical to follow His footsteps. If you're being dragged down by something it won't get better by doing what you've been doing.