Changing Your Mind

Under Christ any destructive pattern can be changed into a spiritually uplifting one. Thought patterns that have troubled you for years can be transformed by God's power, beginning right at this moment. If you allow this to happen, your very lifestyle will change accordingly and you will enjoy a great sense of liberation, for "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (Jn 8:36).

How do you enter into this new freedom? "Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires," says Paul. 'Be made new in the attitude of your minds… put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Eph 4:22-23). Chapters four and five of the Letter to the Ephesians elaborate on this advice; they present a sort of program for cooperating with God in acquiring behavior changes by wisely "making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:16).

Paul's program for the Ephesians focuses on changing behavior patterns in order to change thought patterns. Elsewhere, however, he proposes a reverse program: changing thought patterns in order to change behavior patterns. In a brilliant passage in chapter four of his Letter to the Philippians, Paul lists positive thought-patterns and then urges his readers to externalize them by putting them into practice. His suggested litany of thought patterns, if practiced habitually, is sure to lead to a life of moral and spiritual excellence. Let us take a closer look at this scriptural program for mental and emotional discipline in future articles.

This excerpt is from the book The Art of Loving God by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications, 1995. This and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.