Every person on earth has been programmed. From the moment we arrive, the programming begins and will be the determining factor of whether one succeeds or fails in life. Unfortunately, we don’t have much control over the programming when we first arrive. Our environment typically has total influence which includes family, neighborhood, school, church, and many other factors. By the time we arrive to adulthood, we have endured years of programming from these influences, some good and some not so good.
The good news is that you now have complete control over your own programming. You can shape your own thoughts and change the way you believe about yourself and the world around you. The key is to find out how to download a new program that will enable you to succeed in life. I believe the Bible has a lot to say about how we function as human beings, specifically our minds. I want to share a few keys from the Bible that will show you how to reprogram your mind for success.
The Key to Transformation
The Bible was written centuries ago and is without doubt, the best selling book of all time. For this reason alone, one would think that it is a book that can teach us something significant. I fully acknowledge and understand that it is primarily a book that is written to show humanity that Jesus Christ is the way to salvation. While I believe that this is true and is certainly one purpose for its existence, there are several life principles that can also be learned. One of those is the key to transformation. God knows how we were made and helps us understand our role in the transformation process in this text:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Romans 12:2
Notice that the text is written as a command, which means it is primarily our responsibility to carry this instruction out. Transformation, or change, is impossible without renewing your mind. Renew here means to renovate, or “restore to a former better state”. God’s intent for man was that we have His mind, or way of thinking, about everything. The former better state can be described as “God’s way of thinking.” Once we begin to renew our minds to this state, transformation will automatically begin to take place. You will believe in the impossible, walk in full confidence of who you were purposed to be, and be a positive influence on everyone around you. This is, at least in part, what it means to have God’s thoughts.
The Subconscious Mind
When we speak about renewing your mind, I want to be clear on what this actually means. There is a difference between your conscious mind and subconscious mind. The conscious mind is the part of your mind that you are aware of and fully control at your own will. You can consciously decide to walk, read, or engage in an activity of your choice. Your subconscious mind is the part of your mind that handles the majority of the functions in your body such as breathing, digesting food, and regulating your heart beat. You don’t have to think about doing these things consciously, but your subconscious mind is always at work.
The Bible actually describes the subconscious mind as your heart. It has much to say about the heart and it is worthy of much more study than this blog post will allow. I do want to share a few scriptures that will help you understand it’s importance in the transformation process.
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
Proverbs 23:7
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23
“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.”
Matthew 12:35
It is clear that the heart is a focal point for everything we produce in life. Your life today is a direct result of the “treasury of your heart”. It has shaped your beliefs, which has directly influenced your decisions. Regardless of our desire to change, if we are not convinced in our heart, we will not change. The reason many people repeat the same patterns as others who have failed to produce anything significant in life is simply because they were programmed the same way. If you want to be successful in life, success must be reprogrammed into your heart.
Plant the Right Seeds
Understanding how to transform is just the first step in the process of reprogramming your mind for success. Once you understand that you must renew your mind, now you put it in action. That starts with planting the right seeds in your mind. Jesus actually gives us a clear picture of what seeds represent in the biblical text when speaking a parable about a farmer who went out to sow seed in his field. The disciples of Jesus asked him to interpret the story for them and this was his explanation of the seed:
“The seed is the word of God.”
Luke 8:11
He goes on to explain how the seed is planted in the heart and causes a harvest to be produced. He also mentions that by understanding this parable, his disciples can understand all parables. I believe this really speaks to the significance of understanding how words impact us. Our mind is a garden and words in any form are the seed that determine our behavior and actions. When a farmer plants his seed, he doesn’t see the harvest overnight. After many days of giving that seed the appropriate care and right environment, it begins to sprout and will ultimately produce fruit.
This is how it works with our minds. If your conscious mind is repeatedly shown or read the same words, messages, or ideas over an extended period of time, it will be transferred to your subconscious mind, or heart. We must change the words we hear and read in order to produce a different outcome. You can’t do it once and expect a transformation. It must be repeated daily and you must stay consistent in what you allow in your heart in order to reprogram your mind for success.
Think to Win
While we are being transformed and downloading new information into our heart, there will be tests and trials along the way. The world we live in is bent to negativity and we must continue to resist allowing it to influence us. The Bible gives additional instructions on how to think in the midst of all of the chaos:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
This is a great model to follow in the area of thinking. If it isn’t one of the above, don’t give it space in your mind. Those negative thoughts that come will try to get into your heart and produce a harvest in your life that you did not ask for. The opposite is also true, however. You can guard against negativity and words that tear down, while intentionally feeding your mind with success for all areas of your life.
The Secret Revealed
Once you understand this secret, you have the keys to win in life. You now have complete and total control over your own mind and heart, which means you now have control of your life. The Bible is a great place to start in planting new seeds into your mind. I also encourage people to read books that uplift and influence your thinking in the direction that you desire your life to go. The key is to recognize where you are today, and begin to take the appropriate steps to renew your mind by reprogramming yourself for success.
If you would like me to pray for you, feel free to submit your request here, and share with someone you know by following me on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Let’s start your journey to becoming more.
Great blog! Insightful and inspiring. The seeds in our possession (whatever they are) are the promised future we can experience if we trust them to do their job. Great stuff Timothy!
Thanks, Tony! You’re absolutely correct, and my goal here is for many others to recognize that truth. I appreciate your feedback!
Awesome. Wouldn’t expect anything less from you.
I’m still reprogramming, I need to do better about the reading.
Thanks for sharing your positivity.
Thank, Rodney! Much appreciated! We are all still on the journey to reprogramming. The key is to develop a daily habit that extends to long term success!