Changing Unwanted Behavior

Changing Unwanted Behavior

Introduction:
Albert Einstein said; Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
He was talking about science; but doesn’t this also hold true about human behavior?
Ill:         University of Scranton, Journal of Clinical Psychology

Rank	Top 10 New Years resolutions for 2012
1	Lose Weight
2	Getting Organized
3	Spend Less, Save More
4	Enjoy Life to the Fullest
5	Staying Fit and Healthy
6	Learn Something Exciting
7	Quit Smoking
8	Help Others in Their Dreams
9	Fall in Love
10	Spend More Time with Family

 

News Years Resolution Statistics	Data
Percent of Americans who usually make New Year’s Resolutions	45%
Percent of Americans who infrequently make New Year’s Resolutions	17%
Percent of Americans who absolutlely never make New Year’s Resolutions	38%
Percent of people who are successful in achieving their resolution	8%
Percent who have infrequent success	49%
Percent who never succeed and fail on their resolution each year	24%
People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions
Type of Resolutions (Percent above 100% because of multiple resolutions)	Data
Self Improvement or education related resolutions	47%
Weight related resolutions	38%
Money related resolutions	34%
Relationship related resolutions	31%
Age Success Rates	Data
Percent of people in their twenties who achieve their resolution each year	39%
Percent of people over 50 who achieve their resolution each year	14%
Length of Resolutions	Data
Resolution maintained through first week	75%
Past two weeks	71%
Past one month	64%
Past six months	46%

 

Tags:

The Vicious Cycle:
·        We are creatures of habit. 
·        We quickly establish behavioral patterns in our lives.  Some are healthy and some are not.
·        The habits that are healthy seem easy to break, but the unhealthy habits are hard to break. 
Transition:  Let us examine the progression of sin and how real change occurs in human behavior.

James 1:13-16 (KJV) ¹³ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: ¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. ¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ¹⁶ Do not err, my beloved brethren.

There is a clear progression of sin here in James.  1. Temptation   2. Sin    3. Death

I.  Temptation (13-14)

               A.  When he is tempted

Notice it doesn’t say if!  It is when.  Temptation is common to all man.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) ¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

               B.  Neither tempteth he any man

·        God does not tempt us.
·        God does allow us to be tempted.
·        God does allow trials into our lives.

Ex:  Job

God allowed Satan access to Job and his family and fortune.  Job was tried and tempted, and God allowed both.
Interestingly, the word tempted has a meaning of being examined, or an examination.

               C.  Temptation is the Thought of Sin.

Temptation is someone, something, some situation that generates a thought about doing something sinful.

                              1.            Your Thoughts Matter:

What you think is important.  It is a primary way Satan influences human behavior.
When Satan attacked Eve in the Garden, he attacked her thinking first.

Genesis 3:1-5 (KJV) ¹ Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ² And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: ³ But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. ⁴ And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: ⁵ For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Ex:  Society’s Thinking
·        Addiction is a disease.
·        Homosexuality is genetic.
·        Adultery is OK if between consenting adults.
·        Abortion is a choice.

                              2.            Your Meditation Matters:

Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) ⁷ For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

Ex:  The Stuck Meditation
What happened to them, what they did, what someone did to them, what did not happen that they wanted to happen, the inequities, the injustices, the hurts, the pain, the bitterness…

               D.  Thoughts produce Desire.

James 1:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Lust =     It means sinful desires, fleshly desire, evil desire.  It is the yearning, pulling, desiring, longing, craving, hungering, wanting, grabbing, and thirsting of the flesh.

1 Peter 2:11 (KJV) ¹¹ Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Enticed:     To entice, lure, trap, catch, seduce. It means to lure and bait just as a person lures                                              and baits a fish.

II.        Sin (15)

James 1:15 (KJV) ¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

The next progression here in James is Sin.  Temptation ® Sin.
·        Temptation is the thought of sin:               It occurs in your mind. 
·        Lust is the desire of sin:                                 It occurs in your heart.
·        Lust conceived is the action of sin:             It occurs in your will.

Thoughts ®Desires®Actions.

Thoughts produce desires which lead to actions.
Before you ever did it, you wanted to do it, and before you ever wanted to do it, you thought about doing it.

               1.  Man is a Trichotomy

§  Spirit, a Soul, and a Body
§  The Spirit is made alive in someone when they trust Christ as Savior.

               2.  The Soul is Where Sin Occurs

Ezekiel 18:20 (KJV) ²⁰ The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
·        It is the soul that sinneth.
·        It is our responsibility, no one made us do it.

III.      Death (15)

James 1:15 (KJV) ¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

               A.  Sin is Progressive, It Grows.

…and sin, when it is finished…       Finished = to bring to maturity, to become full grown.
Sin grows.  You do not control sin, it controls you.
               All Sins Grow in Our Lives.
o   Sins we do physically grow
o   Drinking, Drugs, Pornography etc.
o   Sins we do mentally grow
o   Unforgiveness, Anger, Frustration, Critical Thinking and Talking

Biblical Example:              Samson and Delilah

Samson thought he could do wrong and control the outcome.  He couldn’t and neither can you or I.

               B.           Sin Kills (15)

James 1:15 (KJV) ¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
                              1.  Sin Kills Physically
·        It puts its hand upon morality and kills it.
·        It puts its hand upon character and kills it.
·        It puts its hand upon health and kills it.
·        It is the great destroyer of the human race.
·        Every hospital, every prison, every battlefield, and every graveyard cries out that sin is deadly.
·        It kills.

God Says:

Genesis 2:16-17 (KJV) ¹⁶ And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: ¹⁷ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Satan Says:

Genesis 3:4 (KJV) ⁴ And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

                              2.  Sin Kills Spiritually

It is our sin that sends the lost to Hell and it is the sin of the saved that kills their spiritual lives here on earth.

IV.       Steps to Change

               1.           Salvation

                              A.  Jesus is the Truth

John 8:32 (KJV) ³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 14:6 (KJV) ⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Why is salvation essential for change?

                              B.  Jesus Transforms

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) ¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:(metamorphis) old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ill:           Darth’s Story

Romans 8:1-4 (KJV) ¹ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Notice, transformation occurs to those who are IN CHRIST!

               2.  Surrender

In order to remain In Christ, we need to daily be surrendered to His will.

Example of The Model Prayer

Luke 11:1-2 (KJV) ¹ And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. ² And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

We are surrendered to God’s will; we are not trying to get God to surrender to our will!

Why is it important to surrender to the Spirit of God?

                              A.  The Flesh Fails

Romans 7:18-19 (KJV) ¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. ¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

                              B.  The Spirit Succeeds

Romans 6:16 (KJV) ¹⁶ Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

When we surrender to the Spirit we remain IN CHRIST…when you get a chance you should see what God has in store for us if we remain IN CHRIST!

Galatians 5:22-25 (KJV) ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ²⁴ And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

               3.  Saturation

James 1:25 (KJV) ²⁵ But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

·        Looketh:  Stooped down and look

·        Perfect Law of Liberty:  God’s Transforming Word

·        Continueth:  to abide, to stay near, to remain.

                              A.  Saturation enables your mind to be transformed.

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) ¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

                              B.  Saturation enables you to know the will of God.

To change your actions, you must change your feelings, and to change your feelings you must change your thinking.

Conclusion:

The battle is already won.  Jesus won it on the cross.

1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV) ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 10:19 (KJV) ¹⁹ Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Romans 8:37 (KJV) ³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Corrie ten Boom: “When I try, I fail; when I trust, He succeeds.

 

Early Thanksgiving Proclamations

Happy Thanksgiving. 

 

 

The United States of America is a country blessed by Almighty God.  Our founding fathers knew and recognized the influence God had on this nation and the freedom it enjoyed.  It was there desire that the citizens of this God blessed land returns thanks to their God for his blessing on our nation.  Here are some of the early Thanksgiving Proclamations made by our national leaders.

 

Continental Congress November 1, 1777 national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation; as printed in the Journals of Congress.

The committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to the several states, to set apart a day of public thanksgiving, brought in a report; which was taken into consideration, and agreed to as follows:

Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defense and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success:

It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessings on the governments of these states respectively, and prosper the public council of the whole; to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings, independence and peace; that it may please him to prosper the trade and manufactures of the people and the labor of the husbandman, that our land may yield its increase; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

And it is further recommended, that servile labor, and such recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occasion.

This is the text of George Washington's October 3, 1789 national Thanksgiving Proclamation; as printed in The Providence Gazette and Country Journal, on October 17, 1789.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

G. Washington.



PEOPLE, Places, and Things in Recovery!

Everyone battling addiction has heard they need to change the people, places, and things in their lives.

It is easy to identify the places that need to be changed and usually easy to erase these from our lives.
For example, if you used to get drunk every day down at the corner bar, then it is not a good idea to go in there every day and sip on a Coke. This would be one of the “places” that you need to change.

Changing the people in our lives can be a different story. Many people start in addiction by the influence of friends and peers, and struggle to say "no" to these very same people. It may be that the only people you know are those associated with your addiction. So how do you change or at least limit the influence of these people?

Reformers Unanimous Principle #6 states; Those who do not love the Lord will not help me serve the Lord.

By applying this principle into our lives we will surround ourselves with people who love Jesus and help us to love Him as well. You cannot live completely isolated from people and God does not desire you to. The Lord has established a place where we can have friends and fellowship with people whose end goal is not to be their company in sinful activities. The place I am referring to is church. I know the church and specifically the people in church are not perfect, far from it, but they are striving to live life with God in His rightful place in their lives.

If you desire victory over addiction in your life, you will need to submit your will to God's and allow God to bring into your life new friends. Friends who will not lead you into sin, but help you live your life for Jesus Christ.

 John 15:18-20 (KJV) ¹⁸ If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Proverbs 24:15-16 (KJV) ¹⁵ Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: ¹⁶ For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Proverbs 1:10 (KJV) ¹⁰ My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Psalm 1:1-2 (KJV) ¹ Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ² But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.