Acting Out The Truth

Once we learn how to identify toxic thoughts and replace them with the truth, then what do we do? The next step toward finding healing from past pain or trauma so we can experience wholehearted love as God intended is to act in the truth.

We all have so many moments when we can make a choice. We can choose to believe the toxic thoughts that inevitably come up, or we can choose something different. We can choose to act out of fear and insecurity, or we can choose to act in the truth of God’s Word. It takes a lot of practice to be able to effectively replace toxic thoughts and live in a new way. But when we do, it is a freeing feeling.

Consider two examples.

Your spouse is frustrated with how you folded the laundry and spews out mean words toward you. Do you choose to spew back? Or do you claim the truth and choose forgiveness and humility instead?

Your friends call you names behind your back and you hear them one day. Do you believe those toxic thoughts and give in to self-pity and despair? Or do you choose to know what God says about you? Do you choose to walk forward in confidence with Him, finding better friends in the future?

These choices are scattered throughout our days, and Jesus wants to give us the strength and power in those moments to choose the truth and act in it.

The apostle Paul tells us that we need to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and . . . take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV).

As we pave new trails in our brain, our tendency is to go back to our old thought patterns. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Be attuned to what triggers you and be diligent in taking captive any thought that isn’t in line with God’s truth. Then you will be in a good place to act in that truth.

What exactly does acting in the truth look like? Here are ways that we act when we are connected to the truth of God:

• Help others in an appropriate way.
• Be present.
• Have conversations.
• Show patience.
• Exhibit openness.
• Be self-aware.
• Act confidently.
• Stay focused.
• Work hard.
• Maintain healthy boundaries.
• Get a healthy amount of exercise.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Strive for financial peace and wise decisions.
• Be happy for others.
• Be satisfied with life.
• Be willing to grow.

Acting in the truth is living out of abundance. We aren’t reacting in pain. We aren’t trying to earn our worth. Instead, we are acting in our true identity with peace and confidence.

Scripture Passages:

John 8:32: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Ephesians 5:1-2: “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”

Colossians 3:12-14: “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”