Summary
Beneath every behaviour is a belief. We go to a game because we believe it will be a good time and our team will win, or we go because we believe that loyalty is a good virtue. Sometimes we will be very aware of the connection between what we do, at other times we will be less aware, but there it is always a connection. Tim Chester succinctly put it then: “Behind every sin then and negative emotion then is a lie.” Romans 1:24-25 tells is that people are given over to sinful desires because “they exchange the truth of God for a lie.” The antidote therefore is the truth, the truth shall set you free (John 8:32). The source for personal growth in godliness then is the truth of God. For when we see the truth of God, when we delight in that truth, we desire God more than we desire sin. Again, Chester has neatly categorised four aspects of truth about God; and how believing these truths will bring spiritual fruit in our lives. Over four weeks will look at the Four Gs:
- God is Great – so we don’t need to be in control, Acts 4:28; Mark 4-5; Psalm 86:8-10; Proverbs 21:1; Feb 10th.
- God is Glorious – so we do not have to fear others, Prov 29:25; Psalm 27:1-3; 56:3-4; John 5:39-47; Feb 17th.
- God is Good – so we don’t have to look elsewhere, Matthew 13:44; Hebrews 11:24-26; Jer 2:9-13; John 4:7-15, Feb 24th.
- God is Gracious – so we don’t have to prove ourselves, Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 86:15; Matthew 22:1-14; March 3rd.
A book that would go well alongside this series is You Can Change: God’s transforming power for our sinful behaviour & negative emotions, by Tim Chester.