A belief is something we consider to be a fact. It enters into our subconscious and we assume they are truth, and respond to them as such. They may or may not be true. We get most of our core beliefs, when we are young. Our parents, siblings, and school environment all contribute to what we believe during these times. We navigate the world around us based on these core beliefs.
A belief system can be described as an ideology or set of principles that help us interpret our everyday reality. This could be in the form of religion, political affiliation and so on.
Beliefs can be powerful because they affect or modify our behaviour.
They are formed either by our experiences in life over time, or by accepting what others have told or taught us to be true. Beliefs therefore affect what we think about ourselves, others and the world at large. It also influences our emotions, actions and behaviour.
In Proverbs 4 v 23, we are warned to diligently keep our hearts, for out of it springs the issues of life. This means that what we let into our hearts affect our entire being. It affects our outlook and behaviour. It affects our beliefs and influences decisions that we make.
We read that God’s ways are different from man’s ways (Isaiah 55 v 8-9). This implies that much of what we desire to know about God will only come through our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Our thinking patterns are so different from God’s thoughts so we really have to seek Him. As we spend time in the Presence of God, speaking and listening, we will understand more about God’s ways and acts. This will then influence our actions causing us to become more like Jesus.
Jesus modelled relationship with His Father for us. 1 John 2 v 6 says whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself. Father God gave up His Son to die on the Cross so we could be reconciled to His Heart of love.
As we mature in the knowledge and love of God, we will find we are able to yield our hearts more increasingly to the Holy Spirit for Him to examine (Psalms 139 v 1; 1 Corinthians 2 v 10). This will enable our belief system to be scrutinised and see how it aligns with God’s word.
As our relationship with Jesus Christ develops more intimately, we will be willing and able to exchange our old belief systems about what Papa is like, with a new one about Papa.
Our ability to trust God is directly related to what we really believe about Him. Notice that I didn’t use..” what we say….” about Him.
This is because there is often times a difference in what we say compared to our actions. It’s easy to sing all the right words, but sometimes our actions do not quite align because of what is in our belief system drawer. The challenge is that Papa sees our hearts, our motives, and all that’s in our belief system drawer. He sees how what’s there, affects our ability to trust Him, and to have faith. He sees what is holding us from trusting Him to walk us into our destiny. He knows and understands what is holding us in distrust.
Unbelief is similar to distrust and is referred to as sin. It is closely related because here again, we are choosing not to trust God. We are declaring that we believe the lies the enemy is telling us over the truth of God’s Word.
This choice brings the Lord so much sadness as He has done so much to prove His faithfulness to us in every way.
God’s love for us is lavish, unconditional, and extravagant causing Him to give His only Son so we could be reconciled to Him. He desires nothing more than that we should trust and believe in Him. Jesus said He came to give us abundant life. (John 10 v 10). Things that may make us want to settle for anything less may be hidden in our belief system drawer.
Let’s examine our belief drawer frequently. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us. We may find that there may be stuff we ought to throw away and some truths that we need to replace with.
God bless us all.
Mina.
