Two posts ago, I raised the problem of always studying, but not experiencing transformation. Last post, I talked about how we start moving from study to application. In today’s post, I want us to look at seven ways we can accelerate the transformation that occurs when we apply the Word in our lives.
- Saturate--Internalize the Word of God by repeatedly saturating yourself with it. When I begin to feel conviction around a change that needs to occur I saturate myself with whatever scripture I can find on the topic. For example, if I realize that I need to work on encouragement. I will read and meditate on as many scriptures as I can about encouragement. A concordance can really help with finding verses. If I can find articles online about how to encourage one another, then I read them. You can put relevant scriptures on note cards and set them out in your home or on your desk at work. Thumb through them when you have spare moments. Set them in your car and read them each time you get in. Meditating upon and memorizing scriptures will often times give you the boost you need to take action.
- Identify substitutions–As Paul discipled churches he was perpetually pointing out behavior they were stuck in and the replacement they need to make. For example, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32. Identify what you struggle with and find a replacement for it.
- Be intentional–Determine specific daily actions and then track how you do. When I was working on encouraging people, each morning I would decide how many people to encourage, list names and jot down ideas of how I could encourage them. The next day I journaled my progress. This gave my efforts a lot of momentum.
- Use triggers to create consistency--A trigger is something that reminds you to observe a discipline. For example, every time you reach into your pocket for keys you might repeat a scripture verse you are trying to learn or that inspires you. You might use judgmental thoughts as a trigger to pray for humility or to offer words of encouragement. A string on your finger not to forget is a classic trigger. Triggers help insure that you don’t just go through the day with good intentions, but actually take steps to change.
- Surround yourself--Find people who will walk along side of you and encourage or confront you. Conversely, purge whatever influences are pulling you in the wrong direction. If you are working on being encouraging, then you may need to avoid people who complain and gossip constantly.
- Plan for pain–I read an article once about a gold medal olympic champion who interviewed other gold medalists. He asked each athlete what they did when the pain came? Ever athlete had an answer. He knew they would because he knew you did’t get a gold medal without pain. Every gold medal athlete has a pain plan. True transformation means a radical change in who you are. Change is painful. Have a plan for what you will do when the going gets tough. For example, you might pray or you may call a brother or sister in Christ who can encourage you.
- Pray, pray, and pray some more. Bathe yourself in prayer. Pray for the Holy Spirit to transform you. Pray for the strength to let go of sin. Pray for the wisdom to see righteousness and embrace it. Pray for protection. Pray for resources and support that will help you grow. Constantly seek God’s guidance, strength and will through prayer.
Any one of these transformation strategies is helpful. The more of them that you can simultaneously implement the quicker you will find yourself having a mind transformed by the Word and a heart for Christ alone.
May God be with you and bring you abundant growth.