When human behavior is evaluated,
Biblical understanding is different than worldly understanding. The world says
to change the behavior, but the Bible says to change your heart. Granted there
are some programs used for behavioral change that suggests a deeper cognitive
approach to that change, but they still miss the mark. These programs state
that it is up to the person to take control of his thoughts by managing his
beliefs, but they are still a far stretch from functional.
If we begin to examine some of our
beliefs that drive our thinking, there is a common one that will come up. You
will hear the person state that they do what they want. This is the closest to
the truth that many people will ever openly confess, but this is enough to
follow a logical evaluation.
The words “I do what I want” are the
same declaration as “I am god”. Many would adamantly deny they would ever state
such a thing, but our actions say much more than our words.
Here are the fundamental flaws with
every other system out there. They fail to deal with the single core issue. It
does not matter how many changes you make outside of dealing with the
submission to God, you will never reach true change.
If integrity is “doing the right
thing even when nobody is looking”, is it even truly integrity if right and
wrong are variable? If morality is relative, then there is no such thing as
integrity. There is no standard. Only with an absolute standard can there be
integrity.
If I consider myself to be god of my
own universe, then I can justify whatever I want, whenever I want. After all, I
decide what is right and wrong. This very concept is the flaw to every single
behavioral change system. No matter how good things sound, or how bad a person
might want something, if they believe they are god they are able to change
their mind at anytime.
We are NOT god, and unless we submit
to God as God, glorifying Him as God, then we are living out the belief that we
are god. Unless this issue is addressed, there is no other change a person can
make that will be lasting and complete. We are left to follow the dictates and
desires of our own heart, and there is nothing good in our hearts.
“The heart is
deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?”
- Jeremiah 17:9
The belief that we are god, able to discern right and wrong,
began in the Garden of Eden, and is still alive today. Satan told Eve the lie,
and it is the same lie believed today. We believe we are god, so we do what we
want. We decide right and wrong, and we make the rules.
Then the
serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat
of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and
evil.”
- Genesis 3:4-5
This is the separation from God, and
because of this single core belief the wrath of God is being poured out on the
unrighteousness of man. He alone is God, and our failure to worship Him as God
is the condition of our heart that brings forth the destructive behavior as the
wrath of God is brought to fruition. Because we are lifted up in our hearts,
believing that we are god, God has sent His great army to bring destruction.
“Because your
heart is lifted up, and you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, in the midst of the
seas,’ yet you are a man, and not a
god, though you set your heart as the heart of
a god. Because you have set your heart as the
heart of a god, behold, therefore, I will
bring strangers against you, the most terrible
of the nations; and they shall draw their
swords against the beauty of your wisdom, and
defile your splendor. They shall throw you
down into the Pit, and you shall die the death
of the slain in the midst of the seas. Will you still say before him who slays you, ‘I am a god’? But
you shall be a man, and not a god, in
the hand of him who slays you. You shall die
the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of
aliens; for I have spoken,” says the Lord God.”
- Ezekiel 28:1-2, 7-10
It is not possible to just change
the behavior. The behavior is the consequence of God’s wrath.
For the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who
suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God
has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes
are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His
eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God,
they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in
their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became
fools, and
changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible
man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Therefore God also gave
them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies
among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and
served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave
them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for
what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman,
burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful,
and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
And even as they did not
like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased
mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,
wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit,
evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent,
proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy,
unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who
practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also
approve of those who practice them.
- Romans 1:18-32
It is God giving them over to all of
these things because they fail to glorify God as God. In Acts the writer warns
the readers to “Beware therefore, lest what
has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:” The writer is making a clear
warning. The enemy waits outside of the protection offered in Christ. They are
cruel, vicious, and ready to destroy us for our pride and arrogance. It is the
work of the demonic host that brings about the behavior in a person’s life that
is so destructive.
Beware
therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:
‘Behold, you
despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’”
- Acts 13:40-41
The writer of acts is referencing the
prophet Habakkuk. These verses dispel the very concept of EVERY 12 step
program. Listen carefully. In Habakkuk 1:5 you see the words referred to by the
writer of Acts to confirm the prophecy we are being warned about.
“Look among the
nations and watch—
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told
you.
- Habakkuk 1:5
In the very next verse of the prophecy
we are warned about in the book of Acts, Habakkuk says that God is raising up
the Chaldeans. However the Chaldean Empire was destroyed in 539 BC, and since
that time the word Chaldean was no longer used. Why then, nearly 600 years
later is the writer of Acts warning that God is raising up the Chaldeans? He is
not talking about a physical army. He is describing the demonic host.
For indeed I am
raising up the Chaldeans,
A bitter and hasty nation
Which marches through the breadth of the earth,
To possess dwelling places that are not theirs.
They are terrible and dreadful;
Their judgment and their dignity proceed from
themselves.
Their horses also are swifter than leopards,
And more fierce than evening wolves.
Their chargers charge ahead;
Their cavalry comes from afar;
They fly as the eagle that hastens to eat.
“They all come
for violence;
Their faces are set like the east wind.
They gather captives like sand.
They scoff at kings,
And princes are scorned by them.
They deride every stronghold,
For they heap up earthen mounds and seize it.
- Habakkuk
1:6-10
Listen to this
though. After Habakkuk describes the demonic host, he goes immediately into
this verse. The god a person has in their life, whether it be alcohol, drugs,
sex, stealing, or whatever it may be, is NOT the problem. We will blame that
god, but that does NOT make it the problem.
Then his mind changes, and he
transgresses;
He commits offense,
Ascribing this power to his god.”
- Habakkuk
1:5-11
It is this separation that is the root of
all things. This is sin, and the wages of sin is death. God’s army marches
carrying out the orders of execution.
For the wages of
sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
our Lord.
- Romans 6:23
No matter how bad we want to do
something different, or make things right, we do not have it in us. We may be
able to change some things, and change them for awhile, but this is all
superficial.
For what I am doing, I do
not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate,
that I do. If,
then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I
who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good
dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good
I do not find. For
the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to
do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I
who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
I find then a law, that
evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members,
warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law
of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body
of death? I
thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
- Romans 7:15-25
We are protected from the enemy as we trust in Him.
Through our faith we are given life, but the proud in heart are slain.
“Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.”
- Habakkuk 2:4
Knowing that the enemy marches with their specific orders, and that Paul
says that Jesus is the One who can deliver us from the horrible cycle of sin,
we are to find shelter in Him. There is a spiritual war taking place, and this
is reality. As the prophet Habakkuk said though, people will not believe even
if it were told to them. We are strictly warned of this truth though, and told
that the battle belongs to the Lord.
Finally, my brethren, be
strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that
you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of
God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand.
- Ephesians 6:10-13
“O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power
against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to
do, but our eyes are upon You.”
- 2 Chronicles 20:12
“Then all this assembly
shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and
spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our
hands.”
- 1 Samuel 17:47
Nor is there salvation in
any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we
must be saved.
- Acts 4:12
The Greek word used here for guard is literally a
military word. It has definite warfare connotations.
Be anxious for nothing, but
in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests
be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:6-7
You will keep him
in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
- Isaiah 26:3
Only through Jesus Christ are we saved
from the wrath of God, today and in the day of judgment. Salvation is truly in
the moment. If we can abide in Him we can have the joy of our salvation every
day, AND in the day of judgment. Jesus showed us what it is to glorify God as
God.
Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and
offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
In burnt offerings and sacrifices
for sin
You had no pleasure.
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’”
- Hebrews 10:5-7
The author of Hebrews is referencing
when the Holy Spirit spoke through King David in Psalms.
Sacrifice and
offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”
- Psalms 40:6-8
This call of yielding entirely to God’s
will is stated again by Paul in the book of Romans.
I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service.
- Romans 12:1
When we come entirely before God in
surrender, He keeps us in perfect peace.
Jesus made the call of full surrender
absolute in numerous ways.
Then He said to
them all, “If
anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”
- Luke 9:23-24
Now great
multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his
father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own
life also, he cannot be My disciple. And
whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit
down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to
finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against
another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten
thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a
delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has
cannot be My disciple.”
- Luke 14:25-33
Jesus draws a very clear picture of what
a servant glorifying God as God looks like, and what is required. As we have
deduced thus far, this is the key to true change and being saved from the wrath
of God.
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you
think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But
you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life."
- John 5:39-40
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
- John 1:1-2
The "He" in these verses is Jesus, which is easily discerned as
you continue to read the proceeding verses. The Greek word used here for
"Word" is
logos. It literally means the creative power of
the Universe. This verse says that Jesus is the Word, that He "was in
the beginning with God", that He "was God", and that He
"was with God". Easy enough since the words and wording mean exactly
what they say.
A person must fully turn to Jesus Christ as Lord, which makes the Word of
God supreme in their lives. Only then will there be true change to character, which
inevitably changes behavior. A person must submit themselves, in every aspect
of their lives, to the sovereignty and will of God. This is the only hope, the
only salvation, and why salvation is found in Jesus alone. Anything short of
this is just a lie and fairy tale.
