What exactly is a belief system, anyway??? I like the definition Chester & Betsy Kylstra give in their book, Biblical Healing and Deliverance. A belief system is a culmination of our beliefs, decisions, attitudes, agreements, judgments, expectations, vows, and oaths. Basically, everything that involves our minds and our thinking — our decision-making power in particular — makes up our belief system. If those beliefs line up with the Word of God, they are Godly beliefs. If they don’t, they are ungodly beliefs.

Many, if not most, of our ungodly beliefs are a product of childhood experiences. We’re SO impressionable then; we’re like little sponges, constantly absorbing messages (both spoken and unspoken) about how to function (relate/survive) in the world we live in. When traumatic or negative events occur, ungodly beliefs become deeply ingrained in that moment of pain and begin warping our foundation and distorting our view of ourselves, others, and God. As we grow into adults, the enemy orchestrates events all throughout our life to come along and reinforce those untruths, which further builds the case that these lies must be true.

Some of the ungodly beliefs we operate in were “inherited” from our parents or caregivers. We become heirs to our parents’ beliefs about almost everything including: politics, ethnic groups, socioeconomic statuses, religion, God, relationships, work ethic, humor, social graces, etc. Sure, as we mature, we pick and choose what we will keep as our personal beliefs (and pass them on to our own children), but by then they have already become such a deep-rooted grid within us, that often we fail to even recognize them.

Now, to varying degrees, each of us contains untruths (See examples below, following this article.) in our core belief system – lies about ourselves, about others, and about God (His Word, His character). Contrary to what one of life’s precarious, walk-the-way-the-wind-blows, passersby (like the old me!) may “believe”, these lies are dangerous and here’s why. What we believe affects our perceptions. Our perceptions then affect our decisions. Our decisions affect our actions, thereby dictating our very destiny! How many times have we heard life described as a “product of choices we make”? Have you ever seriously pondered the reality that what you believe truly shapes your destiny?

If you accept a Belief

You reap a Thought.

If you sow a Thought

You reap an Attitude.

If you sow an Attitude

You reap an Action.

If you sow an Action

You reap a Habit.

If you sow a Habit

You reap a Character.

If you sow a Character

You reap a Destiny.

(Author Anonymous)

So we’ve discussed where past ungodly beliefs may have entered. Let me transition to today, right here-right now, day in/day out life. Where are you currently drawing your beliefs from, friend? Your knee jerk response may be, “Why the Bible, of course!” But let me ask it in a different way… What do you spend the majority of your time washing your mind with? Are you washing it with music anointed by the god of this world? Are you steeping your mind in romance novels or hours of mind-numbing prime-time reality shows? Maybe you find yourself bathing your mind with comedy, which though “funny”, is not appropriate. Perhaps your mind is swimming in hours of phone conversations and text messaging on that awesome unlimited plan you have.

(Stop.) For some of you, a spirit of condemnation and judgment just shot a fiery dart at you. I cancel that assignment right now and pull that dart out in the name of Jesus. This is being written with passion, but not accusation, beloved. My prayer is that you will read this in the spirit in which it was written; a spirit of love, desiring to challenge you and spur you on to deeper things in Him.

I’m simply saying that the more I pursue my relationship with Him, the more I understand why God wants our minds renewed. He knows that what begins as even the tiniest little belief, whether godly or ungodly, becomes the very seed that – once full blown, blooms into our destiny… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).

Do you have any ungodly beliefs that are currently altering your destiny? I encourage you to get to a quiet place; turn off all phones, TV’s, radios, and IPods. Take authority over the spiritual atmosphere where you are, and bind all spirits of distraction. Then command your soul to submit and be quiet. (Some find it helpful to pray for a few minutes in their prayer language.) Ask the Holy Spirit to shine a search light in your heart and reveal any ungodly beliefs that are there. Repent and ask Him what the Truth is. Then replace that lie with His Truth (Godly belief). Search the Bible for scriptures that support what the Holy Spirit reveals. (The Lord never contradicts His Word. Whatever Truth He reveals will be able to be backed up by Scripture.) Recite that Truth and read those supporting Scriptures out loud at least once a day for 30 days. It takes 30 days to form a new habit… which begets character, which begets destiny…

EXAMPLES OF UNGODLY BELIEFS:

“I’m always left out; there is no place for me to fit in.”

“God is a hard taskmaster and judges me when I relax.”

“I must do everything perfectly right to have your approval/to keep peace in my home.”

“I’m unattractive; God has shortchanged me.”

“I am damaged and flawed; there’s something inherently wrong with me.”

“God’s punishing me for having an abortion/pre-marital sex/_____, that’s why I can’t get pregnant/carry a baby to full term.”

“I have to guard/hide my emotions; I will not be humiliated or shamed again.”

“I am out there all alone; significant people in my life won’t be there for me when I need them.”

“I must do whatever is necessary to please you to gain your pleasure and acceptance.”

“I am trapped.”

“Things would be better if I had never been born/I’m a mistake.”

“The only time people listen to me is if I yell.”

“Men are so weak; you can’t trust them.”

“It is impossible for me to lose weight.”

Love,

Rebecca Lombardo (aka Gloria’s Cherished Minion)