Monday, December 6 Stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over.​—Rom. 12:2.

[Áine]

Monday, December 6

Stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over.—Rom. 12:2.

 

These changes do not take place overnight; nor do they occur automatically. We may need to exert “earnest effort” over a period of years. (2 Pet. 1:5) We must do our utmost to change our inner self. Prayer is the important first step. We need to pray as did the psalmist: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and put within me a new spirit, a steadfast one.” (Ps. 51:10) We must acknowledge the need to change our dominant mental attitude and ask Jehovah for help. Meditation is the second vital step. As we peer into God’s Word each day, we need to take the time to meditate, or to think deeply, on what thoughts and feelings we need to change. (Ps. 119:59; Heb. 4:12; Jas. 1:25) We must identify any tendencies we may have to be attracted to human philosophies. We need to admit honestly what our weaknesses are and then work hard to get rid of those weaknesses. w19.06 8 ¶1; 10 ¶10; 12 ¶11-12

[Tortuga]

45 minutes ago, Anniebea said:

As we peer into God’s Word each day, we need to take the time to meditate, or to think deeply, on what thoughts and feelings we need to change

We don't automatically do the right thing, if we aren't thinking about what we are doing, then we are doing the wrong thing. It takes effort to do the right thing and that requires prayer, study and meditation to know what the right thing is.

 

If our brain/mind is on cruise control, we are on the wrong road...

Edited December 5, 2021 by Tortuga

[wingslikeeagles]

7 hours ago, Anniebea said:

We must acknowledge the need to change our dominant mental attitude and ask Jehovah for help.

In this world, the prominent advice is "be yourself" or "cut off those who don't accept you for who you are" - but this is a divisive attitude that leads to friction and the fierce attitudes we see today.

 

How much better it is to work on ourselves. Try to be better.

 

This dominant mental attitude is the force that influences and shapes the thinking of a person, including his mental tendencies, desires, and motivations. Imperfect humans are inclined toward wrong thinking, and that inclination pushes their minds in a physical, materialistic, or fleshly direction. Of course we need to work on that, but Satan would have other ideas.

 

Just further evidence that the Bible is the only true source of beneficial advice.

 

[Vinnie]

This world is constantly trying to suck us into its way of thinking. We need to stay vigilant with a view to prayers as we struggle with our mind and thoughts. We want to be like 2 Cor 10:5  "For we are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are bringing every thought into captivity to make it obedient to the Christ; "  Yes, we have a lot of mental work to do.

[Gruder]

This is an intense inner battle we all fight because the spirit of the world is completely encompassing. Every which way we look, there it is. Most in the world take the easy path to conform to whatever their surroundings are (path of least resistance) When we show that we refuse to accept this worldly thinking, Jehovah is pleased with us and in turn we will gain many blessings!