Ungodly Beliefs (UGB)Ungodly Beliefs (UGB)or False Beliefsor False Beliefs

We behave and live much of our We behave and live much of our lives according to what we lives according to what we believe in believe in our heartsour hearts. (As a man thinketh…) . (As a man thinketh…) Some of what we believe is true but so Some of what we believe is true but so much is not. much is not. Exposing some UGB and replacing Exposing some UGB and replacing them with the Truth them with the Truth Equipping you to deal with UGB as Equipping you to deal with UGB as they come up in your life they come up in your life

The Kylstra Model The Kylstra Model

Problem: I am an alcoholic

Generational Sins

(SOFC)

Hurts that we’ve

Experienced

(SSH)

Lies that We Believe

(UGB)

Demonic Activity

(DO)

DefinitionsDefinitionsA BELIEFA BELIEF is a conviction, a persuasion, that we develop is a conviction, a persuasion, that we develop and on which we base our life: our thoughts, words, and on which we base our life: our thoughts, words, decisions and actions. A belief is not necessarily based on decisions and actions. A belief is not necessarily based on facts but rather our interpretation of facts and experiences facts but rather our interpretation of facts and experiences that we have. that we have.

A GODLY (or True) BELIEFA GODLY (or True) BELIEF is a conviction that we hold is a conviction that we hold which is in agreement with God -- his word, character or which is in agreement with God -- his word, character or naturenature

AN UNGODLY BELIEFAN UNGODLY BELIEF Is a conviction that is not in Is a conviction that is not in accordance with God -- his word, character or his natureaccordance with God -- his word, character or his nature

A BELIEF SYSTEMA BELIEF SYSTEM is a collection of beliefs through which is a collection of beliefs through which we see, experience and interpret the world around us. we see, experience and interpret the world around us. Tends to comprise both godly (true) and ungodly beliefs Tends to comprise both godly (true) and ungodly beliefs (lies).(lies).

Be Transformed by the Be Transformed by the Renewing of the MindRenewing of the Mind

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - NIVhis good, pleasing and perfect will. - NIVDon’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. way you think. Then you will know what God wants you Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.perfect his will really is.- NLT- NLT

As the Holy Spirit sanctifies our minds our belief system As the Holy Spirit sanctifies our minds our belief system will include fewer UGB and more GB will include fewer UGB and more GB

The goal is to be transformed into the image of Christ, The goal is to be transformed into the image of Christ, having only GB. having only GB.

We live by what we believeWe live by what we believe

All of us live by what we believe, no matter All of us live by what we believe, no matter whether it is based upon truth or lieswhether it is based upon truth or lies

The Truth creates the basis for Godly The Truth creates the basis for Godly belief systems in our thinkingbelief systems in our thinking

Likewise, Lies create the basis for Ungodly Likewise, Lies create the basis for Ungodly belief systems in our livesbelief systems in our lives

The Typical Ungodly BeliefThe Typical Ungodly Belief

The typical ungodly belief is one that appears to The typical ungodly belief is one that appears to be absolutely true, based on the be absolutely true, based on the factsfacts of our of our experience, and yet is absolutely experience, and yet is absolutely falsefalse based on based on God’s word.God’s word. No one loves me. No one loves me. I am all alone.I am all alone. I am stupid/defective.I am stupid/defective. God doesn’t love me.God doesn’t love me.

However most UGB are not this absolute, but However most UGB are not this absolute, but rather rather a mixture of truth and error.a mixture of truth and error. The dangerous UGB is the one that is well hidden The dangerous UGB is the one that is well hidden in our heart and subconscious that we don’t think in our heart and subconscious that we don’t think about but live our lives from anywayabout but live our lives from anyway

How Are Ungodly Beliefs How Are Ungodly Beliefs Formed?Formed?

UGB originate primarily from three UGB originate primarily from three sources:sources: The natural or unredeemed mindThe natural or unredeemed mind Family/Culture/NationalityFamily/Culture/Nationality Experiences of hurtExperiences of hurt

Especially strong UGB’s are created in our Especially strong UGB’s are created in our early childhood when our spirits are most early childhood when our spirits are most receptive and sensitive as we are being receptive and sensitive as we are being formedformed

UGB from the Natural MindUGB from the Natural Mind

Rooted in our sinful nature. Our tendency Rooted in our sinful nature. Our tendency towards independence and pride. towards independence and pride. Looking out for number #1! Looking out for number #1! Captain of my own soul, master of my own Captain of my own soul, master of my own

destinydestiny Asserting MY rights Asserting MY rights

These beliefs pervade our culture and are These beliefs pervade our culture and are humanistic in nature. humanistic in nature.

UGB from family/ cultural/ UGB from family/ cultural/ national heritagenational heritage

Families/cultures/nations pass on beliefs Families/cultures/nations pass on beliefs about almost everything: life, politics, about almost everything: life, politics, religion, education and relationships. religion, education and relationships. Families are belief shapers.Families are belief shapers. Cultural/racial/national biasesCultural/racial/national biases ““You’ve got to work hard for everything that You’ve got to work hard for everything that

you get”you get” ““All men are …”, “All women are …” All men are …”, “All women are …”

UGB from ExperiencesUGB from ExperiencesChildhood hurts, traumas and negative experiences Childhood hurts, traumas and negative experiences make a very strong impression on us. E.g. a child whose make a very strong impression on us. E.g. a child whose father misses all his ball games, or all his birthday parties father misses all his ball games, or all his birthday parties or is never there when the child needs help may form or is never there when the child needs help may form UGB that sound like this:UGB that sound like this:

““I am not important because my dad does not have I am not important because my dad does not have time for me” ortime for me” or

““My dad will not be there when I need him”My dad will not be there when I need him”

More serious UGB can come when a girl is sexually More serious UGB can come when a girl is sexually abused by an uncle, for example.abused by an uncle, for example.

““Things would be better if I had not been born”Things would be better if I had not been born” ““I must have done something wrong” I must have done something wrong” ““I am unworthy of honour and respect”.I am unworthy of honour and respect”. ““I am damaged goods”I am damaged goods”

UGB from ExperiencesUGB from Experiences

If the foundation of our belief system that is laid If the foundation of our belief system that is laid during our childhood is distorted then our life during our childhood is distorted then our life which is built on that foundation will also be which is built on that foundation will also be distorteddistorted

In addition, the negative experiences that occur In addition, the negative experiences that occur during adult life can cause additional UGB to during adult life can cause additional UGB to form or form or they reinforce the ones we already have.they reinforce the ones we already have.

The worse kind of UGB are “I am” or The worse kind of UGB are “I am” or identity identity statementsstatements

The Belief Expectation CycleThe Belief Expectation CycleWordsWords

Experience leads to the formation of our beliefs. Experience leads to the formation of our beliefs. Our beliefs cause us to have certain Our beliefs cause us to have certain expectations and these expectations govern our expectations and these expectations govern our actions/behavior.actions/behavior.Our behavior affects the behavior/responses of Our behavior affects the behavior/responses of others. others. This response then results in the expected This response then results in the expected experience which reinforces our initial belief. experience which reinforces our initial belief. We need to appropriate the power of the cross We need to appropriate the power of the cross to stop the cycle and replace those lies with the to stop the cycle and replace those lies with the TRUTH.TRUTH.

Belief-Expectation CycleBelief-Expectation CycleDiagram Diagram

4. Behaviour

3. Expectation 2. Belief

1. Experience

1. Dad repeated said, “You will never amount to anything!”

3. “I am going to fail so why bother

even trying.”

4. Don’t even try or very lackadaisical attempt

2. “I am a failure. I will not succeed”

Results of UGBResults of UGB

UGB by definition are unbelief UGB by definition are unbelief They block our faith in God and the truth of They block our faith in God and the truth of

His promises. His promises. We hinder or shut off Gods ability to bless us We hinder or shut off Gods ability to bless us

because:because:… … without faith it is impossible to please God, without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and the He rewards those who that He exists and the He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6Hebrews 11:6

UGB can undermine our UGB can undermine our relationship with Godrelationship with God

UGB can undermine the very basis of any UGB can undermine the very basis of any meaningful relationship with God.meaningful relationship with God. ““No matter how hard I try, it will not be enough to No matter how hard I try, it will not be enough to

please God”please God” ““God is waiting for me to make a mistake”God is waiting for me to make a mistake” ““God cares for others more than He cares for me”God cares for others more than He cares for me”

We can end up never fulfilling the plan of God We can end up never fulfilling the plan of God for our lives because we succumb to fear based for our lives because we succumb to fear based on UGBon UGB

God’s Higher Level of Truth God’s Higher Level of Truth

In order for us to be transformed into the image of God In order for us to be transformed into the image of God what is in our minds has to be changed so that it lines up what is in our minds has to be changed so that it lines up with God’s truth, not the “facts” of our experience.with God’s truth, not the “facts” of our experience.First there are the facts. Facts are what actually First there are the facts. Facts are what actually happened.happened.

The wreck happened, the person had a disease, the business The wreck happened, the person had a disease, the business failed, etc.failed, etc.

Facts are true, based on our experience in the here and Facts are true, based on our experience in the here and now.now.God’s truth: what He says about the situation is higher God’s truth: what He says about the situation is higher than our realitythan our realityWe are spiritual men and women and we can discern We are spiritual men and women and we can discern spiritual truth based on what God has said. 1 Cor 2:14-15spiritual truth based on what God has said. 1 Cor 2:14-15

God’s Higher Level of TruthGod’s Higher Level of Truth

Example:Example: Apparent fact: I was a surprise to my parents Apparent fact: I was a surprise to my parents

and I wasn’t really wanted.and I wasn’t really wanted. Gods truth: He knew me in my mother’s Gods truth: He knew me in my mother’s

womb. He planned my life from day one.womb. He planned my life from day one.

There is a difference between believing There is a difference between believing the reality of our circumstances and the reality of our circumstances and believing Gods Eternal Truth. We don’t believing Gods Eternal Truth. We don’t deny the facts we learn to interpret those deny the facts we learn to interpret those facts through the grid of God’s Truth.facts through the grid of God’s Truth.

Writing Ungodly and Godly Writing Ungodly and Godly BeliefsBeliefs

Now that we have an understanding of the Now that we have an understanding of the dynamics of beliefs, how do we replace dynamics of beliefs, how do we replace UGB with GB?UGB with GB?

Purpose of writing GBPurpose of writing GB To clearly identify what God’s word says To clearly identify what God’s word says

about any issue so we can align our beliefs about any issue so we can align our beliefs with God’s. The written GB help us let go of with God’s. The written GB help us let go of the UGB.the UGB.

Procedure for Writing UGB & Procedure for Writing UGB & GBGB

Identify UGB.Identify UGB. Fears, worries, anger, resentments, hurts, unbelief, Fears, worries, anger, resentments, hurts, unbelief,

doubts, bitterness and blaming are good indicators of doubts, bitterness and blaming are good indicators of UGBUGB

Write the UGB.Write the UGB. Express the UGB as a statement. In approx. two to Express the UGB as a statement. In approx. two to

three sentences. Make it clear and crisp to emphasize three sentences. Make it clear and crisp to emphasize the reality of the belief.the reality of the belief.

Write the GB.Write the GB. A good GB is a statement that agrees with what A good GB is a statement that agrees with what

God’s word says is true. We want to express the God’s word says is true. We want to express the Godly way of looking the core of that UGB. Ask Holy Godly way of looking the core of that UGB. Ask Holy Spirit and use scripture to help this process.Spirit and use scripture to help this process.

Procedure for Writing UGB & Procedure for Writing UGB & GBGB

Fine tune.Fine tune.Make sure that the new GB statement “fits” you.Make sure that the new GB statement “fits” you.Include statements such as “with Gods help” or “by His grace”. This Include statements such as “with Gods help” or “by His grace”. This helps us make the transition so that the truth does not sound helps us make the transition so that the truth does not sound beyond us but is attainablebeyond us but is attainable..

UGB:UGB: I will always be lonelyI will always be lonely GB:GB: With Gods help, I will begin to reach out to others, and also With Gods help, I will begin to reach out to others, and also

receive from them. He has design me to fit into His receive from them. He has design me to fit into His body.body.

It is important to mediate on the GB everyday for the next 30-40 It is important to mediate on the GB everyday for the next 30-40 days to renew the mind. It takes 30-40 days to break old habits days to renew the mind. It takes 30-40 days to break old habits and create new ones. and create new ones. This is an essential factor in seeing This is an essential factor in seeing lasting freedom in your life.lasting freedom in your life.

Praying Through UGBPraying Through UGB

1. Confess the UGB1. Confess the UGB Lord, I confess the sin of believing the lie Lord, I confess the sin of believing the lie

that………………………………………….that………………………………………….

2. Forgive2. Forgive I forgive those who have contributed to my forming I forgive those who have contributed to my forming

this UGB. I ask you Lord to forgive me for receiving this UGB. I ask you Lord to forgive me for receiving this UGB, for living my life based on it and for any way this UGB, for living my life based on it and for any way I have judged others because of it… I have judged others because of it…

I receive your forgiveness Lord and on the basis of I receive your forgiveness Lord and on the basis of your forgiveness, I choose to forgive myself for your forgiveness, I choose to forgive myself for believing this lie. believing this lie.

Praying Through UGBPraying Through UGB

3. Renounce 3. Renounce I renounce and break agreement with this I renounce and break agreement with this

UGB. I choose to accept, believe and receive UGB. I choose to accept, believe and receive the GB that……………………….......................the GB that……………………….......................