Showing posts with label Self-esteem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self-esteem. Show all posts

Monday, December 10, 2018

What Direction Should I Follow?

Like a somersault, a flip-flopper turns direction and tumbles over in beliefs, and actions. Too many direction changes can shock and surprise others and as a result, a flip-flopper is hard to believe or trust. The dictionary describes flip-flopping as a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy. But what does the Bible say?

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.
Change direction
Change direction

What’s wrong with changing direction? Can that become a stronghold? We’re all subject to changing our opinions or attitudes when we become more informed or mature in any area, right? Yes and no. That statement is not flip-flopping. It’s a fact. There are a lot of decisions to make and paths to take. However, there are some things that cannot be changed in order to be credible. That’s where a flip-flopper fails.

If a stronghold sets in, other strongholds may be attached such as indecision, insecurity, gullibility, low self-esteem, intimidation or any number of other strongholds depending on whether or not we can stay focused and move in the right direction. Too many direction changes are made by those easily addicted to outside influences.

So, what does the word of God say about changing direction and how can we avoid taking the wrong paths? Are we doomed to leave an opening for flip-flopping, and be on the defensive throughout all our years?
Confused

5 Biblical tips to overcoming flip-flopping:
1. Exercise foresight. Once you decide after careful consideration, don’t be tempted to change and turn back.

Hebrews 12:15 Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it—

2. Before making a decision on anything, consult with God’s word and his will.

Psalm 119:113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

3. Add wisdom to any change you make without changing your path once you have received Christ and know that you are traveling in the right direction.

Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance.

Psalm 17:5 My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.

4. Always stay close to the vine (God and His Word–Jesus Christ). You’re in the right place at the right time, with the right decision, if what you’re doing, or planning to do, lines up with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, pay attention to my words. Open your ears to what I say.21 Do not lose sight of these things. Keep them deep within your heart22 because they are life to those who find them and they heal the whole body.

5. Before you choose anything more, choose to believe in Christ. There is no room for turning back or flip-flopping our decisions once we made that vital decision.

Revelation 2:5 Remember how far you have fallen. Return to me and change the way you think and act, and do what you did at first. I will come to you and take your lamp stand from its place if you don’t change.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Conquering a Double-Minded Stronghold

Like a somersault, a flip-flopper turns direction and tumbles over in beliefs, and actions. This double-mindedness can shock and surprise others and as a result, a person who changes directives is hard to believe or trust. The dictionary describes flip-flopping or double-mindedness as a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy. It comes from the Greek word, dipsuchos, meaning “a person with two minds or souls.” But what does the Bible say?


Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

Changing direction
Change directionWhat’s wrong with changing direction? How can that become a stronghold? We’re all subject to changing our opinions or attitudes when we become more informed or mature in any area, right?

There are a lot of decisions to make and paths to take. However, there are some things that cannot be changed in order to be credible. That’s where a double-minded person fails.

If a stronghold sets in, other strongholds may be attached such as indecision, insecurity, gullibility, low self-esteem, intimidation or any number of other strongholds depending on the original cause of the flip-flopping. They say, "A person who doesn't stand for something, falls for anything."
Confused
So, what does the word of God say about flip-flopping and how can we avoid this stronghold in our own lives? Are we doomed to leave an opening for indecision and be on the defensive throughout all our years?


Confused ???
5 Biblical tips to overcoming flip-flopping:

1. Exercise foresight. Once you make a decision after careful consideration, don’t be tempted to change and turn back too quickly.
Hebrews 12:15 Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it—
2. Before making a decision on anything, consult with God’s word and his will. Keeping focused on the word of God will guide us throughout our life and since God never changes, if we follow His Word we will be able to make the right decisions in any type of situation.
Psalm 119:113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
3. Add wisdom to any change you make without changing your path once you have received Christ and know that you have the right direction.
Ecclesiastes 8:1 Who is like the wise? Who knows the explanation of things? A person’s wisdom brightens their face and changes its hard appearance.
Psalm 17:5 My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.
4. Always stay close to the vine (God and His Word–Jesus Christ). You’re in the right place at the right time with the right decision if what you’re doing or planning to do, lines up with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, pay attention to my words. Open your ears to what I say.21 Do not lose sight of these things. Keep them deep within your heart22 because they are life to those who find them and they heal the whole body.
5. Before you choose anything more, choose to believe in Christ. There is no room for turning back or changing our decisions once we make that vital decision.
Revelation 2:5 Remember how far you have fallen. Return to me and change the way you think and act, and do what you did at first. I will come to you and take your lamp stand from its place if you don’t change.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.