Forward Mentality
Whatever you are focused on is where you will be going and what you will become. Another important principle of moving forward is the way you think. You will be able to move forward in life as long as you align your thinking with the truth of God’s word.
You must think the right things about God, about yourself, and about others if you want to move forward. It is crucial to think the way God thinks, aligning your mind with His heart, mind, and will. When our mind is focused on God’s truth, we can be free to run forward!
In John 8:31-32, Jesus said something that is key to creating momentum to move forward and experiencing freedom from being stuck in your past. You cannot begin to move forward without this principle as a part of your life.
Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” If you focus on the word so much that you live in it, Jesus said that it is a sign that you are truly a disciple of His. You will know by personal experience the truth, and it will make you free.
You may ask, “How do I know that I’m thinking right? How can I know that what I set my mind on is the truth? How do I know that what I believe in my mind about God, myself, and others is a truth or a lie?”
The answer is twofold. First of all, ask yourself this, “Does God’s word back up your thinking?” The word of God alone is reliable because it is the actual voice of a holy and loving God.
One’s word only goes as far as his or her character. That is good news because God is perfect in all of His ways! He has a great plan for you, His love towards you is unconditional, and nothing is impossible with God. Therefore, I can trust what He says and move forward with His word.
His word often is contrary to what the world says or even what your feelings may be telling you, but we can know and trust what God says. He never changes, therefore, His truth never changes. Any way of thinking that violates God’s word, reject it that thinking. Don’t accept it.
Secondly, another test of whether or not you are thinking the way God thinks is to ask yourself this question, “Is this the truth of the word of God or a lie?” If the truth sets you free, then, on the contrary, lies bind you up, keeping you down and defeated. Within the same chapter of John 8, Jesus said that Satan is the father of lies.
Satan is your accuser and is a master at lying to you so that he can keep you from moving forward. Lies keep you fearful, condemned, discouraged, doubtful, and living in the land of lack. Lies remind you of your past hurts, sins, and failures. Lies cast a shadow over the truth of God’s goodness and mercy.
God’s truth is what you need to rest in, trust in, meditate upon, speak out, and walk forward in. God’s truth lifts you out of despair, produces hope, gives you peace and security, and propels you forward into the land of abundance! Renew your mind in God’s truth today! Let it set you free and create momentum to move forward!
LIFE APPLICATION
1. Begin to worship the Lord: Lift your hands and adore him for setting you free and for showing you the way to move forward in His truth.
2. Meditate on the following scriptures: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 51:6,;John 16:13; Colossians 3:1-2
3. Declare over your life: “I know the truth of God’s word and I am free!” (John 8:31-32)
4. Move Forward: Write down some thoughts that you have about yourself and God. Feelings can be indicators of false thinking. Ask yourself the question, “Is this the truth or a lie? Do I feel free in Christ with this mindset or am I bound?”
Whatever the Holy Spirit reveals to you as a lie, write down the truth of God’s word about it. Carry the word of God with you throughout the day. Meditate on it, speak it out loud, believe it, and walk in it.