James H. Willis, III
Founder and President
The Willis Agency, Inc
813-948-9109
Jim@TheWillisAgency.com
www.TheWillisAgency.com
1 Peter 5:7
How do we begin the process of developing a Biblical philosophy? We’ll explore a personal theology of stewardship, a personal theology of work, and a transferable process of financial decision-making. In this article, we’ll address the process of changing behavior.
The path to learning is a road paved with vital, foundational questions you must answer for yourself. Learning is all about the knowing, believing, and doing.
1. Knowing – do you really know what you know?
2. Believing – are you ready to stand for what you believe?
3. Doing – are you applying what you believe?
Moving from Knowing to Believing
The transition from knowing to believing involves this great thing called thinking. William Backus once said, “The words you tell yourself have power over your life.” If that’s true, our thoughts are incredibly important. The things we spend time thinking about help shape the lives we live and the decisions we make. So, if I’m getting my truth system out of scripture and I’m repeating scripture to myself, these words will ultimately have power over my life. Sounds simple right? Time to do some “doing”. But if my self-talk is full of doubt and negative reinforcement and things in the past, you will have troubles and problems to overcome. Try and replace that negativity with a positive message to yourself.
Moving from Believing to Doing
After believing, we start “doing” by acknowledging our convictions. According to the dictionary, a conviction is “an unshakeable belief in something without need for proof”. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen.” So, “doing” occurs when we set our beliefs in action. We can only get this “conviction” not just positive input which I like as well, but real-life change comes from the word of God memorized in our hearts.
Now, I have good news and bad news, which do you want first? The bad news? Okay. Well, “doing” isn’t always easy. “Knowing” was pretty easy, and thinking on and trusting what we know led to “believing”, but “doing” is where things get tricky. Putting our knowledge and beliefs to the test can be difficult, and even a little discouraging. Well, that’s the bad news. It is going to take step after step of walking in faith until the change happens. The good news is the Bible said there is reward in “doing”. James 1:22-25 says,
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
So, when we know what the word says, and we think on it and believe in its truth, and we begin doing what the Word says, we have laid the foundation for our own personal, Biblical philosophy.
Well? If you know and believe, don’t you think it’s time you start doing? Don’t let the things of this world stop you from doing the things for yourself and for the world to come.
At the Willis Agency, we can help you find your way!! Give us a call at 813-948-9109.
Caring for you and yours,
Jim