Your beliefs about God impact more than you may think.
~~ Watch the Video ~~
Scriptures:
Mark 9:21-24
Proverbs 4:23
Proverbs 27:19
Matthew 5:8
Proverbs 21:2
Matthew 15:8-9
1 Timothy 1:3–5
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Matthew 15:9
Genesis 12:3
Proverbs 19:17
Psalms 27:14
Hebrews 11:6
John 3:16-18
Romans 4:8-13
Mark 6:1-6
Mark 2:2-5
Genesis 39:5-6
Hebrews 4:1-2
Romans 8:28
John 14:15
Genesis 12:1-3
Mark 9:21-24
21 And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 “It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” 23 But Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
“I do believe…help my unbelief”
Did he believe or not?
“What you believe“ is just as important as “that you believe“
What you believe about yourself impacts the way you view the world
It impacts your opportunities and how people interact with you
What we believe about men will affect our relationship with men.
What we believe about women will affect our relationships with women.
What we believe about sin will affect your behavior
If you believe about heaven that will affect the way you live your life
In the Garden
The original sin was caused by unbelief
The serpent caused Eve to doubt what she previously believed about God.
The new belief is what led her to take the action of eating the fruit
Sin entered into the world through an idea that went against what God said
Sin entered into the world based on a faulty belief
What you believe matters.
Previous Lessons
In Self talk we looked at your beliefs about yourself
Last lesson we looked at your beliefs about the world and interactions with people
This lesson we look at your beliefs about God and the bible
Outline:
Introduction
Traits of Wholeness
Review Your Beliefs Are Holding You Back
Living Your Beliefs
Your Doctrine
Stronghold
What Do You Believe About God?
The Effects of Faulty Beliefs
The Belief of a Friend
What Do You Believe About the Bible?
Having Faith in the Word God Gave You
A Touch of the Master’s Hand
Traits of Wholeness
We are in our series called Seeking Wholeness
How can we be _______ healthy
spiritually
emotionally
mentally
Dealing with life’s current stresses and also being healed from experiences/wounds of the past
We’re not just supposed to have eternal life
We’re supposed to have: joy, peace, patience, and self control here on earth
Traits of Wholeness
Authenticity
Honesty
Kindness
Not seeking external approval / validation
Living by values and principles
Setting Boundaries
Taking ownership of your responsibilities
Living with purpose and passion
Optimism
Confidence
Healthy relationships with others
Not losing control of your emotions
Free from addictions
Addressing Conflict
Vulnerability
Not critical or Judgemental
Not jealous
Genuinely applaud the success of others
Forgive those who have wronged you in the past
Know that you’re worthy of receiving love
Not afraid to fail
Able to manage irrational fear, worry, and anxiety
Selfless encounters with others
Not manipulating others trying to control their actions/reactions
You care about how others feel
Patient
Don’t give into peer/social pressure
Can communicate directly
Don’t take responsibility for other people's emotions
Take responsibility for your own emotions
Being led by the Spirit
Review Your Beliefs Are Holding You Back
Proverbs 4:23
Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
What Is Belief
Belief is:
Deep conviction
Perception of reality
That which one holds to be true
The concept of belief is expressed in many different terms
Trust
Hope
Mindset
Way of Thinking
Persuasion
conviction
Your belief determines your
Action
Priorities
The Source of Our Beliefs
Your beliefs come from
Family / culture
The World
News
Television
Movies
Music
Your Self Talk
Inner Vows
The Enemy
Your Belief Could Be Your Problem
If life is treating you badly that could be a sign that you’ve got a faulty belief system
What you believe impacts how you view the world
Doctor Example
when you go to the doctor you tell them your symptoms
My stomach hurt
My back hurts
But then they will investigate
X-ray
Blood test
Take your temperature
Your symptom may be the fruit and not the root of what is really wrong
Your belief system may be the root cause of your issues
Examples of Our Beliefs
We had our beliefs before we became Christian and they didn’t necessarily change.
Don’t just look for the correct belief in these examples…look for your real belief
Some areas we have beliefs:
Opinion of others
It’s important that others think I’m good/successful/smart
Conflict
You should avoid conflict
Arguing is normal in a relationship
It’s okay to yell or curse when arguing
Money
The more money the more successful/happy
Too much money is bad
Family
Allegiance to family comes first
Don’t speak about the family secrets
Nation
Allegiance in country comes first
Relationships
I can only date/marry someone of a certain: race, income, education, religion
Women should submit to men
Happy wife…happy life
Success is
Getting into the right schools
Making a lot of money
Getting married and having children
Buying a house
Getting a good job
The Heart
Proverbs 27:19
As water reflects the face, so a man’s heart reflects the man
Your heart is
Your beliefs
Your motives / true intent
The seat of your feelings
What’s in your heart is what you really believe
God can save you instantly, but that doesn’t mean that your heart is converted
A Pure Heart
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God
The bible urges us to obtain a “pure heart”
How to obtain a “Pure Heart”
Correct Self Talk
Acknowledge the Problem
Speak to Yourself in 3rd person
Present a Solution
Focus on the Future Instead of the Past
Focus on Your Potential
Say What God Says
Focus on God Instead of Yourself
Guard Your Heart
Prayer
Living Your Beliefs
When your actions don’t match what you say you believe
Proverbs 21:2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
In Your Head vs Your Heart
“I know I should stop…but I can’t”
I know I shouldn't do it…but you do it
Example: “Girl don’t do it”
We really believe it…in our brain
… But not in our heart
What does the expression “to get it from your head to your heart“ mean?
“The most difficult journey to travel is the 8 inches between your head and your heart”
Example: You tell a child “ you are not listening to me“
What we mean is that you may have heard it but your behavior isn’t reflecting what I said
You can hear information, but it may not become revelation to you
You can tell people what is in your brain, but it is not necessarily what you believe
It is possible to go through the motions and not believe what you are doing
When It Gets Into Your Heart
When it’s in your heart you don’t have to be told
If it is in your heart then it is a natural part of your behavior
Repent - to turn around
To change how you think about it
“ if you can control a man how a man thinks… You don’t have to worry about his actions“
Story: dog tied to rope
Words Without Action
Matthew 15:8-9
8 ‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 9 ‘AND IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.’”
“There are ideas that you have read but haven’t earned the right to use”
There are some things we can know by description and there are some things we can only know by experience
Your life matches your words
“You never know what you would do in that situation until you are in it”
Do you believe this is true?
There are times when the answers we give in Bible study aren’t the actions that we live in life
Would your life be different if you lived the truths we discussed in the Bible study?
Life Changing Revelation
There are some sermons or Bible studies when you leave you think
“that was really good“
There are others when you leave and you change the way you live your life
Example: Lady saw movie and started traveling
If something changes our belief system it will change the way we live our life
Example: Leadership seminar
take away 1 thing
Success conference
Change 1 habit
Sometimes you get a revelation so deep that it changes your belief and your actions
Any examples?
Your Doctrine
1 Timothy 1:3–5
3 Just as I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, to remain on at Ephesus so that you would instruct certain people not to teach strange doctrines, 4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to useless speculation rather than advance the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now. 5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith.
Doctrine is:
teaching or instructions of God
a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group
Everybody has a Doctrine
The atheist believes that there is no God
We have all been indoctrinated by
lies or truth
The news
Books, CDs, music, television,
Whatever you are indoctrinated by becomes your regulation for a living
But only the truth can set a man free
Truth is the original intent why something was made
The truth is in the mind of the creator
Some doctrines of the world
Do whatever makes you happy
If it feels good…do it
You can find happiness by looking within yourself
Look out for #1
Good people help other people
He who has the most toys wins
Everybody needs to find their own path to heaven
What are other doctrines of the world?
Believing in those doctrines can put you in opposition to the word of God
Stronghold
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage battle according to the flesh, 4for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
A strong hold is not a demon. It is a belief.
Devils strategy
Toehold
Foothold
Stronghold
Toehold is curiosity
A foothold is when you choose to engage in the sin.
A stronghold is the justification of why you tell yourself that it’s OK.
Those familiar beliefs can be strongholds
How to express anger
How you cope with disappointment, anger, depression, anxiety
How you measure success
How should you interact with your significant other
What Do You Believe About God?
Matthew 15:9
‘AND IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.’”
Your belief determines whether or not you trust God
Chris Rock Examples
Some beliefs extracted from Chris Rock stand-up comedy show
Are they biblical?
“I’m trying to find God before God finds me”
God never finds you at a good time
Example: In jail getting beat up
Belief: God will cause bad things to happen in order to bring you back to him
Did God ever cause bad things to happen to bring people into His will?
Bible Examples:
Jonah and the whale
Israelites in the desert for 40 years to die off
Jesus dying on the cross
Why bad things happen
The enemy
Sowing and reaping - natural consequences
Time and chance
Other people’s free will
God’s Called Ones
Genesis 12:3
And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
This could be another reason that things are going bad or good in your life
Giving Money to a Bum
I gave a bum five dollars
“I didn’t give it to him for him… I gave it for me
Belief: God rewards good deeds
Do you ever do something good hoping God will notice you?
Proverbs 19:17
One who is gracious to a poor person lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed.
Terrorists
A religious extremist is a person that really believes in God
If you believe God is the most powerful being in the universe… Why would he need your help?
The act of helping God is sacrilegious
If you really had faith you wouldn’t try to help God
I haven’t been to church in 10 years… Now that’s believing in God
Belief: God Doesn’t Want Us to Participate in Accomplishing His Will
Bible Verse:
Psalms 27:14
14Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.
Yet there are also many examples where we need to take action
Sometimes you need to wait on God…sometimes God is waiting on you
God doesn’t make mistakes
Every religion follows one basic premise… God doesn’t make mistakes
Do you ever see a porcupine?
Can’t eat it, can’t hug it, ugly
What about quicksand?
Sand you can drown in
You ever been to Mississippi?
My View:
God doesn’t make mistakes, but he’s not a dictator. He is in relationship with us.
Sometimes you allow your kids to do things you don’t think is in their best interest because you don’t want to control their lives. If they mess up too bad you will punish them.
Example: Israelites
Sometimes you make concessions for someone you’re in a relationship with even if it’s not the way you would have done it.
Example: Moses
Why is God Broke?
I like watching the TV preachers
Why is God always so broke?
Common Beliefs About God
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.
You can’t please God unless you believe
God exists
God rewards those who seek Him
I believe…help me to believe
Belief That God Exists
80% Americans believe in God
56% Americans believe in God (of the Bible)
9% Believe in a higher power or spiritual force
God Determines What Happens to You
27% all the time
21% most of the time
18% some of the time
9% hardly ever
13% never
Does God Talk to You?
28% They talk to God, God talks to them
47% They talk to God; God doesn’t talk to them
18% They do not talk to God; God does not talk to them
10% Does not believe in God
< 1% They do not talk to God; God talks to them
God is waiting to punish you
https://www.tiktok.com/@michael_leadon/video/7036212167221382447
God is waiting send people to hell
God is hoping people don’t choose to go to hell
You won’t surrender to that which you don’t think has your best interest at heart
Jesus Is Enough
Is Jesus enough?
https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdSdr1A8/
Faith vs Works Salvation
What does it take to be saved?
John 3:16-18
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. 17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. 18 “The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
It is not your behavior that condemns you, but your belief
Notice it says that the believer… Is not judged
There is no judgment to determine whether you were good or bad… Whether you were naughty or nice
The law hasn’t changed you are just not even judged
The enemy wants to attack what you believe
believing is our only way to God
Not preaching the word
Not paying your tithes
Not going to church
Not reading the Bible
Not following the law
Abraham’s Faith Was Credited as Righteousness
Do you believe you are righteous?
Romans 4:8-13
8 “BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.” 9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” 10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; 11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. 13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Abraham was judged to be righteous because of his faith
If I work for something and you give it to me… It is not a gift
Their faith is credited as righteousness
The father of the Jews was a Gentile
You are considered righteous because of your belief
Not because of your actions
Your belief will determine whether you end up in Heaven or hell
The Effects of Faulty Beliefs
The impact of faulty expectations of God
Holding on to promises God didn’t make
Believing God acts in ways He doesn’t
Attributing things to God that weren’t caused by God
Expecting God to do things that He’s expecting you to do
Wrong Belief Can Stop God From Working
Can your beliefs stop God from acting in your life?
Mark 6:1-6
1Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. 2And when the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man learn these things, and what is this wisdom that has been given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands? 3Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are His sisters not here with us?” And they took offense at Him. 4Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not dishonored except in his hometown and among his own relatives, and in his own household.” 5And He could not do any miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6And He was amazed at their unbelief.
The text says in verse 5 that because of their unbelief Jesus ‘could’ do no miracles.
It did not say that He ‘would’ not do miracles, but that He ‘could’ not do miracles.
“It appears that Jesus did not have a choice in the matter. That is astonishing, and other translations back it up. This means that our unbelief may be able to withstand the love and power of God. It seems that we are far more powerful than we might have thought, but in a negative way. Unbelief is an awesome spiritual force.”
A faulty belief can stop God‘s power
The Belief of a Friend
Mark 2:2-5
2And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer space, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. 3And some people *came, bringing to Him a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men. 4And when they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and after digging an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man was lying. 5And Jesus, seeing their faith, *said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Jesus said that because of “their” faith the man’s sin was forgiven and he was eventually healed.
Sometimes we need to lean on the love and faith of our friends to get us to Jesus. Sometimes we need the faith of our friends to help with our miracle.
Paralytic Lowered Through the Roof
https://www.tiktok.com/@michael_leadon/video/7068893064022002987
Other People’s Favor
Genesis 39:5-6
5It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; so the LORD’S blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. 6So he left Joseph in charge of everything that he owned; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate.
Potiphar’s house was blessed because Joseph was a slave there
What Do You Believe About the Bible?
What do you believe about the bible?
This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object; our good is its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is given you in life and will be opened in the judgment and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.
– unknown author
Beliefs that lead people astray
The Bible is old and antiquated and we’ve evolved since then and know better
The Bible was written by men so it’s biased
The Bible was written by humans so it’s flawed
The Bible is not meant to be taken literally
The Bible is the inspired word of God
Having Faith in the Word God Gave You
Obedience is better than sacrifice
Hebrews 4:1-2
1 Therefore, we must fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but the word they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united with those who listened with faith.
There were some who heard and they were some who heard and had faith
When God gives you a word, you choose whether or not to believe it
If you don’t believe it…it won’t benefit you
All Things Work For Good
Do you believe that all things work for good?
Who has had things happen to them that they cannot see the good in it?
Some of you have had bad things happen and can’t see how it was used for good
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
There are 3 conditions
Believe in God
Love God
Called according to His purpose
Love God
John 14:15
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Called According to His Purpose
Called
For His purpose
So this is not just something in your heart. This is something that is a call from God.
You have to be in the process of doing what God specifically told you to do
When God called Moses and Abraham it wasn’t to give them the current desires of their hearts
They were called according to His purpose
Abraham
Genesis 12:1-3
1 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; 2 And I will make you into a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
Abraham didn’t do everything right
But God worked it for good
If you are doing what God told you to do… It is going to work out for good regardless of how much you screw it up
”If I take care of God’s business God will take care of my business”
What has God asked you to do?
It may start with something small. After you prove yourself obedient to that then He can give you the next assignment.
Believe in Yourself
Walk in your purpose
https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdSWNBMu/
Change what you believe
https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdSXyX3w/
A Touch of the Master’s Hand
You need to believe what God told you
https://allpoetry.com/The-Touch-of-the-Master%27s-Hand
'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar. Then two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?"
"Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three…" But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice,
And going and gone," said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth?" Swift came the reply:
"The touch of the Master's hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.
A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,
A game — and he travels on.
He is "going" once, and "going" twice,
He's "going" and almost "gone."
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.
—Myra Brooks Welch
God still has a mighty plan for your life
Song: Generations + Blessing - WorshipMob
Instructor: Michael Leadon
References
Believing Matter
TD Jakes
The Power of Belief
Dr. Myles Munroe
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
Unchained Disciples : Your Beliefs Are Holding You Back
Unchained Disciples : Negative Self Talk
Unchained Disciples : Positive Self Talk
Unchained Disciples : Trials That Build Faith
https://www.pewforum.org/2018/04/25/when-americans-say-they-believe-in-god-what-do-they-mean/
Extra
Don’t Expect Anything From God
James 1:5-7
5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and [h]without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8being a [i]double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 ESV
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
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