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

The Princess Diaries

My Dear Friends,

Call me a Princess, but part of me can't wait to get to heaven just to try on my gown and dress. Yes, I dream of a full on Disney sequence, in HD colour and surround sound! Jesus, my prince waltzing down the stairs and leading me onto the dance floor (think Beauty and the Beast- minus the Beast).

I am captured by the thought of spending an eternity with Him. I am homesick for the place I come from. For the One I love.

I long for heaven, yet while here on foreign soil, I must not forget who I am. He has called me by Name- I am His. Below is one of my favorite verses from Psalm 45, describing what it means to be a Princess for Him- the privilege and the responsibility.

Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear:

Forget your people and your father’s house. 

11The king is enthralled by your beauty;

honor him, for he is your lord. 

12The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift,

men of wealth will seek your favor. 

13All glorious is the princess within [her chamber];

her gown is interwoven with gold. 

14In embroidered garments she is led to the king;

her virgin companions follow her

and are brought to you. 

15They are led in with joy and gladness;

they enter the palace of the king. 

16Your sons will take the place of your fathers;

you will make them princes throughout the land. 

17I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;

therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

This psalm, although originally sung by King David for a wedding, captures so beautifully the privilege and wonder of being called a daughter of the Most High: A Princess of the Kingdom of Eternity.

As a Princess of God's Kingdom you are:

- Loved

- Cherished

- Accepted

- Adored

- Protected

- Empowered

- Adopted

- Clothed

- Called

- Wanted

As His Daughter you receive Divine:

- Identity

- Protection

- Assistance 

- Wealth

- Honor

- Favor

- Grace

- Fruitfulness

- Blessings

- Respect

You are marked with His Royal seal. You are chosen by Him.

He has held out His scepter towards you. #You are Accepted.

So, when you find yourself struggling to breathe in this atmosphere, blinded by the pressures of this foreign world, remember- this is not your natural habitat. You are born of God, Created for Destiny and Life in the Spirit. Called to the Higher Life, in the world and not of it. [Romans 12:2]

You are redeemed. You are royalty. You are His. 

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." [1 Peter 2:9] NIV

Till then...

Keep Becoming His Best

© 2012 Allison Pillay