What We Want
"Change isn't change unless it changes what I WANT."
That was the sound bite from Sunday night, as we focused on what it means to live in light of the gospel.
Behavior modification - the "change strategy" that drives most of Christianity - doesn't work in the long run. In the short run, it can bring some benefits. But it doesn't change our desires. It doesn't change our hearts. It doesn't change our character. Dallas Willard explains why a focus on behavior masks the real problem: "…There is a rigorous consistency in the human self and its actions. This is one of the things we are most inclined to deceive ourselves about. If I do evil, I am the kind of person who does evil; if I do good, I am the kind of person who does good... Actions are not impositions on who we are, but are expressions of who we are.”
Consider the clear teaching of Scripture that sin starts with what we WANT:
James 1:13-15: When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Eph 4:22-24: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Jesus put it this way: ...the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil (Matthew 12:34-35).
So change isn't change unless it changes what I WANT. And that is exactly what the gospel promises to do. Perhaps the best barometer of your spiritual growth is to ask the question: What do I want? Can I see my desires changing? Is there a true, honest, heart-longing for Christ and for the mission of God within me?
What about you - what's your take on the idea that "change isn't change unless it changes what I want?"
That was the sound bite from Sunday night, as we focused on what it means to live in light of the gospel.
Behavior modification - the "change strategy" that drives most of Christianity - doesn't work in the long run. In the short run, it can bring some benefits. But it doesn't change our desires. It doesn't change our hearts. It doesn't change our character. Dallas Willard explains why a focus on behavior masks the real problem: "…There is a rigorous consistency in the human self and its actions. This is one of the things we are most inclined to deceive ourselves about. If I do evil, I am the kind of person who does evil; if I do good, I am the kind of person who does good... Actions are not impositions on who we are, but are expressions of who we are.”
Consider the clear teaching of Scripture that sin starts with what we WANT:
James 1:13-15: When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Eph 4:22-24: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Jesus put it this way: ...the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil (Matthew 12:34-35).
So change isn't change unless it changes what I WANT. And that is exactly what the gospel promises to do. Perhaps the best barometer of your spiritual growth is to ask the question: What do I want? Can I see my desires changing? Is there a true, honest, heart-longing for Christ and for the mission of God within me?
What about you - what's your take on the idea that "change isn't change unless it changes what I want?"
posted by Bob | 8:12 PM
3 Comments:
I have to ask this question, not because I think you're wrong, but because it's an honest disconect in my mind.
Are we saying that we should always desire to do the thing we know is right (Christlike)?
The place where I'm stuck is at the end of Matthew (26) Jesus asks that the cup that the Father has given him to "drink" be passed from him. Above all He wanted to do the will of the Father (that was the joy set before him), but how does this fit in relation to this post? Should we be desiring to do the will of the Father and not necessarily wanting or desiring to do the specific tasks that he has called us to? Or are wanting the tasks and the will the same thing?
The spirit of the last couple of posts is really resonating with me. One thing that I hate to see in the life of a Christian is an attitude of despair when he or she continues to sin despite really struggling against some behavior.
I've seen well-intentioned exercises in behavior modification fail again and again, and rather than draw the person closer to God it typically has wore them down. It is pretty clear that they're focusing their energy in the wrong area.
So where do you focus? I think Bob's statement the other day, that sin begins with idolatry, provides some insight here. Fixating on behavior can be a form of idolatry as well. Focusing on God, on who He is, and His Son is the proper focus. The more you're meditating on Him and reveling in your relationship, the weaker sin's hold on you. At least, this is my experience.
To pick up a previous thread, I've found it to be harder to get to a God-centered focus when I meditate on becoming more perfect -- it's a slippery slope to a works focus. Anyone else? TZ, would you weigh in?
To Anonymous...
The word "always" is a sticking point for me. I'm saying that - generally speaking - we should see our desires being changed. And if they aren't being changed, then nothing is being changed.
Deep down in our true hearts, if we are truly regenerate, our desires WILL be for the things of God, because the Spirit of God resides in us. Even Jesus' prayer in the garden shows that point... his truest desire was that the will of God be done.
On this side of heaven, we will always experience some level of conflict between our true (godly) desires and the desires of our "old self." That's the point of the Eph. 4 quotation.
Post a Comment
<< Home