Replacement is Key! Change begins with a true transformation of the heart; a renewed mind comes with that. A renewed mind means a new way of thinking and a new way of life! Make all your ways new. Have a new state of mind. You can achieve this through the wonderful method of replacement. (But this only happens after the transformation of the mind.) Romans 12: 2)
Let’s clear something up first. A transformed mind is the only way the replacement method can work. This goes for the unsaved and the believer because transformation is a process. Most of the time, we control the speed of this process. Even so, it’s still a process. When I was growing up I used to watch a show called “Beast Wars Transformers™.” It was amazing to watch the transformation of primitive beasts to mighty warriors. On that show it was a battle of good vs. evil, the Decepticons (evil robots) and the Auto bots (good robots). When it was time to fight, both sides had something in common. They both had to transform to use the weapons they had on the inside of them. The thing that really caught my attention was the way they transformed. They both had to either say “Maximize” or “Terrorize!” The “Auto Bots” said “Maximize” before ever transformation! They didn’t just say it either, they would yell it! The “Decepticons” were called “Decepticons” because they were all about deceiving and being deceptive. Knowing this the “Auto Bots” made sure to always speak transformation into the air before engaging in battle. (Proverbs 18:21) The Revolution of normal thinking is observation to the extreme; Airing out all possible factors from every possible angle fathomable in a finite mind. Observe the un-observed, see what you usually wouldn’t see, and hear what you usually wouldn’t hear. There is always a revelation that God wants to reveal to you in every situation but you must seek His face in all situations. This is what it means to transform your mind. For example, if you had a half of a glass of water, is a glass half empty or half full? Or maybe the glass is just dirty making it appear to have liquid in it. Even though you’re breathing are you really alive or dead? (Spiritually dead) When you transform your mind you re-program your system to the Mind of Christ. (This is one of the many products of being born again.)
Being born again is essential in this process of change! As a matter of fact it is the main ingredient to this recipe. The replacement method won’t work with out first having an encounter with The Lord. You may think you are a born again Christian now but if you never encountered The Lord with your heart it never happened. When this does happen you go from filled with pollutions of the world to being filled with The Holy Ghost! Once you receive the Holy Ghost through submission of the heart you will want to replace things. Replace liquor with juice and water. Replace videos (Rap and R&B sex songs) with comedy shows or something educational or dealing with God. Replace parties with get-togethers. Replace spare time with Bible Study. I know what you may be thinking right about now. “This sounds lame, and I don’t see what the big deal is,” or “how is this sin?” “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” We must replace these things because they lead to sin one-way or the other. Anything Jesus isn’t in is potential pollution or junk food to the spirit. This hinders transformation and interrupts power flow. A couple of sentences ago the phrase spare time is underlined. “Spare Time” is underlined and in bold because it is the true culprit behind it all. Think about it, you don’t drink unless you’re trying to kill time. You don’t smoke unless you’re bored. Also, we never plan parties we just go because somebody a long time ago decided that’s what people our age do. Smoking leads to a temporary high and drinking leaves you temporarily drunk. Is that all you’re worth? Are you only worth Temporary Satisfaction? I think you’re worth more; the question is do you believe it? You must understand that it’s not your body that “must have sex,” drugs, or alcohol; it’s just that there is a void in your spirit that needs to be filled. But if you have not heard The Word and believed it 100%, it won’t get filled! It’s just like a car with engine trouble: you can’t fix the problem by getting a new paint job. Paint wears off over time, its temporary!