Planned Responses

Often we seem to be trapped in patterns of response, which upon reflection, we would prefer to change. It seems also, that patterns or habits are so easy to establish, but far more difficult to change. At times we are caught off guard by an event or temptation; then we take a serious plunge into sinful behavior followed by a calculated cover-up. Would we not be better off if the calculation went into planning possible responses rather than a patch job after the fact? Having a plan does not guarantee that you will follow it, but it does force you to think through possible biblical responses to any situation of temptation.

Hopefully this study will help you develop a habit of biblically planned responses.

Why Do This?

That’s a reasonable question. Let’s first examine the biblical view of Christian growth or “progressive sanctification.” Sanctification is defined very well in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “Sanctification is the work of God's free gracea, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of Godb, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.”

1. Ezk. 36:27; Phil. 2:13; II Thess. 2:13
2. II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:23-24; I Thess. 5:23
3. Ezek. 36:25-27; Rom. 6:4, 6, 12-14; II Cor. 7:1; I Pet. 2:24

Study these texts and see if they prove the doctrine as spelled out in the catechism.

There is much discussion about the process of sanctification. This catechism answer reflects the biblical position very well -- progressive sanctification. We make little to no progress through leaps and bounds, mountain top experiences, etc. What does happen, on the other hand, is that little by little, through the work of God’s Spirit, we begin to make progress toward holiness. The progress usually is slow and unequal in differing aspects of life. For example, a person comes to Christ and has had numerous problems in his past. Some of those problems may fall away almost instantaneously while others plague him till his dying day. Sanctification is never complete in this life; we are only perfected at death or the return of Christ.

Notice that sanctification is a work of God’s spirit. This is a work he does in us and with our cooperation. We must work at it! We must involve ourselves in the study of scripture, and its application to ourselves. We must regularly attend church to hear the Word preached and to receive the Lord’s Supper. We should pray regularly. We need to reflect on the grace of God as it is active in our salvation, especially in justification [being made right or just before God] and adoption [being accepted into God’s family]. These were acts of God’s grace done outside of us for our benefit and salvation. [Read Eph. 1-3, Romans 1-8, etc. often!]

We must never confuse or blend justification and sanctification. If we do, we end up with some form of meritorious works salvation, which scripture clearly condemns. The other error, which we easily fall into, is a total separation between these two doctrines, as though someone could be justified without sanctification following as a necessary consequence. They must never be confused nor ever separated.

God’s purpose in saving us is not simply to keep us out of Hell when we die, but rather to cause goodness and righteousness to grow and develop in us now. [Rom 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.]

We never progress enough to actually meet God’s standard, but that is no reason to cease working at doing better. Since Christ has lived, died and been raised again, our relationship with God is not based on our performance. Since, Jesus Christ has been so gracious toward us and the Holy Spirit is at work in us, therefore, with a deep sense of gratitude and hope we press on toward God’s prize. This study is designed to help you lay out some strategies which may help you make progress toward your sanctification.

The Value of a Planned Response

For almost any endeavor we will plan and prepare. Depending on what the event is, we may take special training classes, read a book about it, do exercises, save money, etc. Why is it that we think that spiritual growth and obedience to Christ will just come naturally, especially since we live in a world that is seriously broken by sin? We have a natural bent away from obedience, and our general culture is at war with the God we love.

Training, planning and preparing are essential! Notice Paul’s instruction to the youthful Timothy: “ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.” 1 Tim 4:7-10 To Paul the idea of preparation and training is a vital part of what a Christian does!

Similarly Paul draws a comparison with an athlete in 1 Cor. 9:24-27, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

Comments:

Starting the process

Changing a problem behavior needs to be a two fisted approach. First, we need to put roadblocks in the way of the specific behavior in order to make it difficult to do it and decide what you will do instead. Second, we need to figure out what we are trying to accomplish by the specific behavior.

Developing a road block plan is the specific purpose of this pamphlet, but it is not the whole story. If you are having significant difficulty you may need to talk with someone who can help you sort out your motivations and the longings of your heart that are the driving force behind the specific behaviors.

The Bible teaches that we ought to make it difficult to sin, “ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Rom 13:13-14)

Planning

What is the specific behavior you what to make preparations against?

Carefully retrace your steps for the last several times your entered into this behavior.

• What did you do?
• How did you feel before you did it? While doing it?
• What sorts of things lured you to it?
• Was it a long process of craving, leading to ambivalence, then to justifying and finally to doing?

Think through each step.

• Was it a sudden desire spawned by opportunity? What is present in your heart to make opportunity so strong a temptation?
• How did you actually begin?
• What lies or distortions did you allow to reside in your mind in the process? About God? About yourself? About the activity?
• Are there particular problem places or people?
• Are there certain emotional states or situations, which seem to nudge you toward this behavior?

Are you looking to fulfill a heart longing?

• Power / control / intimidation
• Pleasure / peace / comfort
• Recognition / praise / indebtedness
• Affection / attention / approval
• other...

Spend some time thinking how these longings promote sinful behavior. Confess these longings as idolatry and ask God to help you live for his glory

(Remember 1 Cor 10:31)

• What have you done in the past that helped you resist this behavior?
• Retrace the specific thought patterns present in these times.
• Why do you think it worked in those situations?
• List what people, places or situations you must avoid.
• Write a plan for how you can avoid these. Some of these may be quite simple like changing your route to and from work, giving away your TV, etc. Others may be substantial like moving, changing schools or jobs, reporting a criminal to the police, etc.

Please note: By taking evasive action or “not providing for your flesh,” we are not saying the evil necessarily resides in the other thing. For example, if you have a problem with shoplifting, stores or roadside stands are not evil in themselves. They present a problem to a thief and therefore, caution must be exerted by the potential thief by avoiding these places. Whatever your problem, you are the one having the problem; and it emerges from the sin which resides in your own heart. Avoidance of things, people and places is choosing a wise course of action because you are a weak sinner, who is trying to gain some strength. The fact that you choose not to eat chocolate, or you throw out your TV, or you cannot drive down Main St., or can’t hang out with Billy, does not mean that anyone else you know ought to do the same thing, but for you this specified course of action is wise and helpful.

The Plan:

Now that you have thought through the possible problems and the heart motivations attached to them, write out a plan of what you want to do when your problem situation arises. Be sure to start early in the course of events - at the first thoughts of doing the behavior. Include in your plan ways of replacing old ways of thinking and doing.

1. You must think differently about God: how he relates to you, what he has done for you, what you think he owes you, how he has redeemed you in Christ. Saturate this process in God’s revelation of himself - The Bible. Ps. 139, Rom 11:32-36, Isa 45-46 et.al.
2. You must think differently about yourself. Replace self-centered thoughts with thoughts about loving God and your neighbor. Think more about giving than getting. Think on how your are related to God and on the facts that he has created you in his own image, that he sustains you through all of life, he redeems you in Christ though you do not deserve it, and he has given you every ability you have. (Rom 4-8, Eph 1-3, Col 1-3, Mat.10:29, Jn.1:12-13)
3. You must think differently about your present situation. This is not an isolated incident in time. This temptation is present in your life as an opportunity to glorify God and serve him -- it is not here for you to gratify your lusts and cravings. This situation is connected to your life and carries with consequences both positive and negative. God has promised to be faithful to you so that you can find a better way to deal with it. (1 Cor 10, Ps. 73, Jas 1:2-5).

The longer a process continues, like a rolling snowball, the more difficult it usually becomes to stop! As you write your plan, work at making it biblical and specific. Make sure you examine more than just your behavior! Look long and hard at how you were feeling and what your were thinking. Now, write a plan that takes seriously the biblical injunction to “Put off and Put on.” Replace your thoughts so that new more biblical behaviors can emerge.