I. Why do we Do what we Do? Because We Want To.

Js 1:14 each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin…death.

A. Why do we want what we want? Because we value it more than the cost of getting/keeping it.

B. Why do we value it? Because we believe that the benefits (happiness, self-worth/love, how it makes us feel, and how it meets our needs (for Power {security/significance}. Pleasure/ease, Possessions) outweigh the negatives/cost. TOYL Sluggard immediate gratification

II. How do we Change? Understanding (Explain; Interpret; Apply; Perspective; Empathize; Self-knowledge)?Beliefs (reality)? Values: inherited/empirical; operative; idealized; limiting; resolution/alt interpretation (conseq vs meaning)?Motivation? Action

Ps 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Pr 1:2 Isa 11:2 Christ

1Kg 3:9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil.

Pr 2:1 IF you receive my words, treasure my commands within you, 2 so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 3 cry out for discernment and understanding, 4 seek as silver, search as for hidden treasures; (23:23 buy) 5 THEN you will understand fear of LORD, find the knowledge of God 9:10 6 For LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge & understanding

Job 28:28 fear of Lord is wisdom, to depart from evil is understanding. Pr 4:7 Wisdom the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom get understanding.

God defines “BETTER thans”: wisdom; obedience; honesty; loyalty; character; worship; reputation; integrity; QT; patience; rebuke; love; trust in God; humility; righteousness; interdependence; fellowship; peace; death; maimed; loss; others; suffering; etc.

Rom 12:1… present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God…2 and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove/experience what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

A. Overcome Obstacles to Objectives 1. Knowledge of Objective; 2. Effective Methodology; 3. MOTIVATION;

4. Reprogramming your Robot (Subconscious: Filters/Perception…Values…Feelings…Habits…Self-Image) Phil 2:13

5. Neural Damage; 6. Evil peers 1Cor 15:33; 7. Demonic Enslavement Js 4:7-10 Submit & Resist (see Defense Against Dark Arts)

B. It’s All in your Head (we do what we think about) Phl 4:8 true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, if any virtue, praiseworthy, meditate on these things.

Rm 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

C. Link “massive amounts of pain” with the wrong value/behavior, and “massive amounts of pleasure” with the correct value/behavior

Proverbs gives wisdom by repeatedly demonstrating consequences 1:7; 22:4 A toddler is trained by consistent consequences 23:13-14

D. Sanctification: It Ain’t Gonna Reign No More Rm 6:11 reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord

Decide to believe (by faith) the truth that you are dead to sin and alive to God Rm 6:11-12 2Pe I.-5; I Thess 4:1-7)

Extinguish desire through envisioning consequences and examining motives & the sin process then EXIT at the first sign. Rm 6:19-21; 8:13 3.-5

Admit sin, Name it (sin) and Claim it (forgiveness) in your journey lJn 1-8-9 If we confess our sins, he isfaithful andjust toforgive & cleanse us from all

Don't slip back but do the new thing ... to the point of shedding blood Heb 12:4 You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin. Rm 8:18

Align your thinking/values/feelings/actions with the Word of God and Will of the Spirit then ACT AS IF John 17:17; Rm 6:17,- 8:14

Live soundmindedly (purposefully & objectively) as you pursue holiness with others who call upon the Lord 2Ti 2:21-22

Imagine & ingrain the correct attitudes & behavior by thinking & prayer Jos 1:8 ... thou shalt meditate ... for the purpose of obeying Php 4:8

Value holiness and the blessing (reward) of God above all else Rm 6:18,22 Col 3:1-2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Expect God to work through others and trials to produce in you the character and actions of His Son Rm 8:28-29, 32 conformed to the image

III. TOYL Values to Support your Purpose and Objectives

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. How does someone develop beliefs, values, and motivation for something? Why are some folks “unmotivated” spiritually?
2. Why do we sometimes have difficulty changing or doing something that’s good and we repeatedly say we want to do?
3. Have you ever changed the way you believed/valued or felt or thought about something? What caused that change to happen?
4. Which value of each pair (above) is a higher value and why? How does this value guide you and help achieve your purpose and goals?
5. What steps can you take this week to acquire Christ’s values and actions? What would hinder you? What help do you need?