Proverbs 23:7, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:2

James Galloway

Much of my communication as a church leader is centred around empowering people to behave in a Christ-like fashion.

Jesus was, and is, the perfect example. We all know that, recognise that and aspire to be like that. In the 90's that zany craze of wearing WWJD bands propelled His example to the forefront of our attention.

Then we took the WWJD band off because we weren't DOING WHAT JESUS WOULD DO...

Many of us labour and toil to live in such a way that is honourable, integral, righteous and beneficial to those around us. Jesus lived in such a way and he seemed to do it with ease.

Why do we so struggle?

Why do we wrestle?

Why do we continuously come back to the same report of 'could do better'?

Proverbs 23:7 gives us the key. 'As a man thinketh, so he is.'

It's not a change of behaviour that is required; it's a change of thinking.

1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us that '...we have the mind of Christ'.

If we want to walk as Jesus did, our steps should not be the focus...Our mindset should be!

Philippians 4:8 tells us, '...whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, whatever lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise worthy - meditate on these things.'

Romans 12:2 tells us to, 'be transformed by the renewing of the mind', which all sounds twee until we set out to renew our minds. Many a Christian expects the 'renew' process to be a kind of 'app' purchase where we simply upload the latest 'mindset' and we're all good to go with our renewed mind.

It doesn't work like that. God never does what He asks us to do!

The process of changing our thinking to match that of Christ is down to us and here are a few practical things that you can do to help:

1. READ the Bible... Yeah I know every church leader says to and we all know it but... HELLO! Let's make a commitment to read the Bible. Earlier on this year, through the awesome www.youversion.com my whole church read through the Bible in 90 days! That's right, 90 days.TRY IT!

2. APPLY the Bible... simply reading isn't enough. I can read any set of instructions but unless I do what they say, I will never see what is in the packet built. You will never fulfil your potential unless you apply the designer's instruction.

3. KEEP a journal... writing stuff down that you've learnt really does help... there is something that links our brain to the words we write! They come alive.

Here's a thought... try this for one week and see if there is a difference in the way that you walk!! Find me on Twitter and let me know...