In my last article, I introduced the topic of mental malware and our need to be more observant of the negative self-talk that undermines our lives. If you missed it, you can catch it here. Today, as promised, I am going to offer some practical instructions on how to change our programming from bad code to good. But first, we will take a look at the big picture.
In the cosmic view of things, there is a Designer and a Hacker. The hacker is first seen in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) manipulating and challenging the code the Designer had provided His creation.
The first challenge was an attempt to corrupt the meaning of the instructions, “Did God say you can’t eat from any tree in the garden?” To Eve’s credit, she caught that part and instead corrected the serpent saying that all the trees were Okay except for the one in the middle of the garden.
Not to be dissuaded, the hacker looked for another way in. He challenged the meaning of the accuracy of the instructions by telling her she wouldn’t die, but instead, she would be like God. The tree was presented as a Trojan Horse that looked appealing while actually containing great destruction.
You know the rest of the story. Adam and Eve did eat the fruit from the tree and allowed the virus to corrupt their programming, their minds were changed and instead of fulfilling the Designer’s purpose, they lost paradise.
The Bible teaches, “…if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19 NASB) The power of agreement is huge! Imagine if one of the partners of agreement is not another human, but instead God or satan. Wouldn’t it then have an even greater impact?
Let’s look at some common negative self-talk. I bet you have heard at least one of these in your own self-talk. Now, instead of accepting it or agreeing with it, let’s learn to fix it by reprogramming ourselves with what our original Designer has to say. Please note, while everyone can gain some positive change with this technique, it is only fully operational in the lives of true Believers.
Malware: I am a sinner.
Good Code:
○ Christ died for me. – Rom 5:8
○ He is faithful and just to forgive ALL my sins and cleanse me of ALL unrighteousness. – 1 Jn 1:9
Malware: I’m a nobody.
Good Code:
○ I am God’s child. – Gal 3:26
○ I am a friend of Jesus. – Jn 15:15
Malware: I’m not important.
Good Code:
○ My body is a temple for God. – 1 Cor 6:19
○ I am the workmanship of Christ created to do good works. – Eph 2:10
Malware: My past disqualifies me.
Good Code:
○ I am a new creation. Old things have passed away. – 2 Cor 5:17
○ I have put off my old self and put on a new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. – Eph 4:22-24
Malware: The world has beaten me down.
Good Code:
○ My citizenship is in Heaven from which I await my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. – Phil 3:20
Malware: I am powerless.
Good Code:
○ God has granted me the gift of the Father. I receive and enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit which gives me influence to the nations. – Acts 1:8
○ I am salt and light to the world. – Matt 5:13-14
Malware: I am stressed.
Good Code:
○ The peace of God beyond all understanding guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. – Phil 4:7
Malware: I’ll never see my dreams come true.
Good Code:
○ God has blessed me with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. – Eph 1:3
○ I delight in the Lord and He grants me the desires of my heart. – Ps 37:4
Malware: I can’t make ends meet.
Good Code:
○ God creates conditions to give me money. – Deut 8:18
○ God supplies for ALL my needs out of His riches in glory. – Phil 4:18
○ I am blessed going in and blessed going out. – Deut 28:6
Malware: I can’t do it.
Good Code:
○ I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. – Phil 4:13
The above is, of course, just a sampling of the Good Code that the Designer has placed in His manual for us to benefit from. Please let us know your favorites. Rehearse these daily as you observe your self-talk and you will begin to notice great change.
Shalom,
Rodney