The Law of Substitution- Part 2

"Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect."  Romans 12:2 (God's Word Translation)
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Been waiting in anticipation??

So have I!! Welcome Back! We are in the process of we fixing our thoughts- but where do we begin?

Well, if your mind wants to play tricks on you- you gotta outsmart it! 

God has fearfully and wonderfully created us (Psalm 139:14).
He has given us the ability to train our brain! From birth our brain is making all these connections and associations and programming them into our being to be used later. Therefore, we have the ability and responsibility to condition our mind toward thoughts (and thus actions) that are positive and productive.

Thus, it boils down to the law of substitution and the application of classical conditioning- utilizing the power of The Holy Spirit (of course) and the Word of God. 

Rather than trying to suppress those unproductive, negative thoughts, substitute them with the Word of God and redirect them to the image of that scripture in action.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" [gotta love King James ;D]

WE are thus called on to: 1- Cast Down 
                                    2- Capture (& Exile)

thoughts and imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge or obedience of Christ. See, temptation is not there to expose our weakness- but rather to exalt the power of God within us- through the working of His Spirit. God has given us the resources for success in all areas of life, and it begins with the mind> the seat of all human behavior.

                                                                   

So, for example in practice: The next time you're fuming and about to curse:  

- Stop, and recognise the symptoms of tension building up: irritation, hurt etc.

- Acknowledge that you ARE angry- then redirect that emotion to the Word
   of God

- God says, "Be angry and do not sin" (He also acknowledges this emotion, thus not DENYING that you would feel this way, but offering an escape)
                                                       -Ephesians 4:26 & 1 Corinthians 10:13

- Repeat, meditate (yes like a mantra!) on this Word and allow the Holy Spirit
  to fill your mind with new pictures of God's peace, provision & vision for you.

- Walk in that vision of a New You- Let it become your Truth.


It does not happen overnight, but through constant redirection and substitution of altering thoughts with the Word of God- through the Power of The Holy Spirit- we too can have the mind of Christ and live Victorious Lives!


#LawOfSubstitution

"We have the mind of Christ"                                       -1 Corinthians 2:16

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus"  - Philippians 2:5   
  

  

Be #INCouraged

In Christ

© 2012 Allison Pillay

The Law of Substitution- Part 1

"Everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible, but not everything builds up."                                                     -1 Corinthians 10:23

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Have you ever tried to give up something? A bad habit perhaps, like nail-biting or speeding? It doesn't even have to be a terrible vice like alcohol or smoking or.......or chocolate!

OK, OK...guilty- or should I say- redeemed of the charge!

Giving up things that are bad or not beneficial for us is never easy, especially when they have become a habit. See, I have found that the thing with habits, is that they have a way of actually getting under your skin- and it all starts in the mind.

Psychologists call this Classical Conditioning or the stimulus-response mechanism and it was discovered by Ivan Pavlov in the early 1920s. Basically, he rang a bell before feeding his dogs, and soon enough they began to associate the bell with food. So, once they heard it ring, they would begin to salivate in anticipation of the meal ahead. Simple enough, right? 

Isn't that often how sin begins. A bell or thought goes off in our head. We entertain it- let it run wild. Before we know it, it's taken the form of an action. It feels good, though we know it's bad for us, because the Holy Spirit convicts us. So, we repent. Stop. Turn. A period of time passes. And then again, we hear that old familiar ringing. It's the Bell.

The thought is back, and this time, a little bit stronger. Why? Simple, it knows that we followed through last time. Our mind has entertained the thought and our body is preparing to react. We have conditioned ourselves to respond a certain way. Soon, you find yourself like a puppet/zombie, miming out the actions that only lead to death (Romans 6:23). Being directed by your thoughts....walking dangerously along the edge... again. #Grace!

Thoughts. Thoughts that are becoming actions. Actions that are becoming habits. Habits that are becoming strongholds. So, how do we break the cycle? How do we effectively reclaim our sound minds already bought with the precious blood of Christ?  

By FIXING our thoughts of course!!

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
                                                                               - Philippians 4:8 

But, how do we fix our thoughts? 


#StayTuned:)

#LawOfSubstitution 

                                                                               

Be #INCouraged

In Christ


© 2012 Allison Pillay

ADD_IC/XION

ADD_IC/XION

A constant series of inconsistencies


Days, hours, minutes, seconds
Measured by highs and lows that precede relapse
Anger the gasoline that burns in my soul 
Fueling my desire to Succeed
GROW

Escape

FORGET
Forget that my father was an alcoholic
Forget that my brother was an addict
Forget that this was my life

You feel like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders
Carrying the burden of a sin that you do not own

Battling insecurities 

left, 

right

 and center

Longing to be free- 
And to create your own: 
Reality

Tonight, I am frustrated- but it's just the same
A circle of anger, tears, regret and shame
Constant as the rain
A bad night- a new day
We go on our way

Do Church, love Jesus, and try hard to pray

But the pain's in-excusable
And courage is lost
When tears are your pillow
And all night you toss:
You awake to fresh Hope- yes
But who shares your pain?
Your battle for perfection, they interpret as Vain...

You won't settle for less
'Cos you've seen what it looks like
And you've felt its cold grip:
Nothing in life is ever worth taking that trip

At times I feel like: The definition of Grace is lost on a user
'Cos that's what they do:
Use and abuse
"Sorry", really means: " I meant it"
Regret is a lie.
A lie is a promise just to get high.
But, still you Believe. You Pray. You Hope.
That their lives won't just go up in smoke.

I'm so tired of being the strong one-
The Hero
I just need somewhere soft to finally fall
I'm so tired of judgement by sugary princesses
Who live in tall castles, behind electrified walls 

To those who pass judgment before getting to know me
To see through all the toughness and barbed wire and body
Before your analysis- process the diagnosis
Take off your perfect pumps and walk in my shoes

Addiction is a cycle that never seems to end:
Broken promises, broken families, broken hearts-
Never seeming to mend
You live through every relapse, rehab visit and bad day
And your FAITH is what helps you to see the light along the way

But, this still sucks!

One day, with God's grace
I'll never have to look back
There will be nothing, there will be no one to get me off track
My Destiny is mine and I know God is on my side
The past IS closed shut
And my future: OPEN WIDE!!!

Thank You Jesus!

Becoming His Best...


© 2012 Allison Pillay


















 

No Substitutes

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your patience :) Finals are here once again, and so I have been with my blog in spirit for these past weeks- but today I check in!

I trust that you are all enjoying the season that God has placed you in. What a crazy bunch of weeks these have been! God has truly been doing some amazing things in this past month, and once again- this topic of love, singleness and marriage has floated to the surface of many discussions. I have been pondering many things lately; thoughts, experiences and revelations from past, present and dare I say- future lol! So, this may be your cup of tea, and if not, pass it on- but please share the truth. You never know who needs to hear it.

I think as women we "get" Christ faster because we know what it is to be 
wanted, loved, rescued, redeemed, sanctified and made whole. We are created to be saved, rescued, fought for, loved and adored. We want to belong to someone and are created to partner with them in a vision to extend God's Kingdom. It's so built-in to our being, our hard-drive. Love us right and you will have a Worshiper, Warrior and Wow-Man! for life :)

Christ also empowers women. In every encounter He had with them He sets them free emotionally, physically, spiritually, psychologically, and even financially. There is not one woman that left the presence of Jesus the same way!!!

Jesus continually washes us with the water of His Word- Ephesians 5:26.
His Love is Amazing! He Loves us into Perfection. He covers our Sins. He Redeems Us. His Love makes us Beautiful. In His arms we become the women we've always dreamed we would be:
Incredible! Irresistible! Unstoppable!

We also learn how to submit to HIM, walk in obedience- trust Him to lead us....
Stuff, we will need for marriage right? I would think so.

So, in essence- our ability and obedience as single women to follow Christ enables us to understand God's plan for marriage- (which is in essence- merely a blueprint for Christ and the Church.)

So, how do men respond to Christ? In their manliness I presume. They relate to Jesus as a man, a mentor and an example. And they should.

Ephesians 5:25-28 says " A husband should love his wife as much as Christ loved the church and have his life for it. He made the church holy by the power of His word, and He made it pure by washing it with water.

Christ did this, so that He would have a glorious and holy church, without faults or spots or wrinkles or any other flaws. In the same way a husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself. A husband who loves his wife shows that he loves himself. " 

Verse 33 goes on to say, "so each husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself, and each wife should respect her husband."

So the bottom line ladies is: Can He love you like Christ Does?

See, I think us woman got this "Love" thing down: The sacrifice, the adoration, the commitment, the putting him first etc. The desire to love is in-built within us. After all, God made Eve for Adam. So, once we think Adam sees us we like go into that "mode" of "I'm going to be all you need!!!"
Am I right? Lol!

Guess I'm calling it out tonight! Ooh now. I touched a nerve.

Ladies,[Allison], sisters- let's just rest in the Lord. If Mr Perfect walks in the door tomorrow (please Lord haha!) the one thing on my mind and heart should be:


Will he love me like Christ does? 

That's the standard right there.
#NoSubstitutes

Until then...

Keep Becoming His Best

For His Glory
 
© 2012 Allison Pillay