Shift!

Part 6: Shift My Thinking

by Louie Marsh, 7-10-2022

1) Biblical thinking is focused on Jesus & HIS WORD.

 

Starts with and is focused on Christ and the truth. Jesus is the way, truth and life, therefore our thinking process must always begin with Him, His Word and truth.

 

“6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, ESV)

 

“31So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” (John 8:31–32, ESV)

 

2) My mind desperately needs to be RENEWED.

 

The Bible teaches us that our minds need to be renewed (Rom. 12:2) because our minds are naturally hostile to God (Rom. 8:5-8) and cannot please God.

 

“2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)

 

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

 

“5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:5–8, ESV)

 

3) I can and must CONTROL & FOCUS my thoughts.

 

We can control what we think about (Phil. 4:8; Heb. 3:1) with the help of God.

 

“7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:7–8, ESV)

 

“1Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,” (Hebrews 3:1, ESV)

 

4) I should let Jesus SHAPE my life & thoughts.

 

We must take hold of our thoughts and begin to think the way God wants us to think (2 Cor. 10:5).

 

“5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV)

 

We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (MSG)

 

5) What should my thought process be?

 

• Check with GOD,

 

“6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6, ESV)

 

• Check with GOD’S WORD,

 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105 (ESV)

 

• Check with MANY COUNSELORS

 

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

 

“22Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22, ESV)

 

“6for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 24:6, ESV)

 

“24Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” (Psalm 119:24, ESV)

 

• Focus on the TRUTH –

 

always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:7 (ESV)

• The 7 Hat Approach –

 

Order In Which I Reveal the Hats

1. Objective
2. Positive
3. Negative
4. Creative
5. Intuitive
6. Process

Six Thinking Hats

A Proposal Analysis Tool by Edward de Bono1

The proposal is read out and then everyone puts one the following hats in turn:

1.     The White Hat is the information hat. This covers facts, figures, information needs and gaps. People can ask for more information or data to help analyze the proposal.

2.     The Red Hat represents emotions. This covers intuition, feelings and emotions. People have to say how this proposal makes them feel emotionally: scared, threatened, excited, energized, etc. It is important to get the feelings expressed, as they can be hidden reasons why people would oppose or support a proposal.

3.     The Yellow Hat is the hat of optimism. This is the logical positive: why something will work and why it will offer benefits. Everyone in turn has to say what is good about the proposal. Even if you think the idea stinks you have to find some good points and redeeming qualities about it.

4.     The Black Hat is the pessimism hat. This is the hat of judgment and caution. Everyone has to find fault with the idea. Even if it was your idea and you are very proud of it you have to point out some drawbacks and disadvantages.

5.     The Green Hat is the hat of growth and possibilities. This is the hat of creativity, alternatives, proposals, what is interesting, provocations and changes. Everyone has to suggest ways in which the idea could be adapted or improved to make it work better.

6.     The Blue Hat is the process hat. This is the overview or process control hat. It looks not at the subject itself but at the 'thinking' about the subject. It is used to check if the process is working well. When you wear it, you discuss whether you are using the method in the most effective way.

 

SHOW MESSY PIC!

 

7th Hat – Faith in God!

 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)