The Practice of Replacement

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:3

Looking back, I can’t pinpoint when I stopped being a slave to fear, depreciating self-talk, self-protective mindsets, and actions generated from inner turmoil. When I started to live as a Christian at 22, I tried to find freedom from the internal storms by controlling myself, others, and everything around me. All my good intentions only increased everyone’s frustration and conflict. I sought freedom through biblical knowledge, as if healing and victory were an intellectual acquisition.

Despite all the beneficial endeavors and biblical knowledge, three questions continually haunted me:
What am I missing? Where is the freedom? Why is change always tomorrow, never today, nor lasting?

I was about 27 when God opened my eyes to discover the answer. I knew I was “in Christ,” but I didn’t SEE that Christ had replaced my dead spirit with His spiritual life and power. I, the old spiritual man, was crucified WITH Christ and participated “in” His death, burial, and resurrection. Having a new identity in Christ radically changed my perspective regarding myself, life, and others.  

Once I saw that I was born again “dead to sin and alive to God,” I realized I cannot be a slave to lies or unwanted behaviors. Sin no longer rules in me; Christ does. The body of Christ is as free from the slavery to sin and negative self-talk as the Head. Christ set us free at the moment of salvation. I realized that my lies and fleshly strategies were holding me back, not others, life, the past, or the devil. Christ gave me spiritual life, but I hadn’t replaced my mindsets or responses to wounds from the past, woes from today, or worries for tomorrow.

I also saw that I am not obligated to agree with a lie or act on farel feelings. The spiritual life of Christ in me is the power of God to say “no” to unwanted, toxic thoughts and “yes” to wanted behaviors. Before, I had been trying to live the Christian life through sheer determination. For a while, my strong will, high energy, organizational skills, and intellectualism deceived me — until they ultimately failed. While that season of life was NO fun and full of tears and frustration, it led to the revelation: “Apart from Christ, I can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Duh, I knew that verse, too. But finally, I understood what I was missing. Nothing! Christ had set me free from the power of sin and provided the power to overcome. He didn’t ask me to manufacture a victorious life (“fake it until you make it”), to learn a victory, or to accept mediocrity.

I thought Christianity meant living independently self-sufficient so that I could please God. Tenderly, the Father said to me, “No, my child, that is not freedom. You are free to trust me to impart the power you need to love yourself, others, and your life. What I began in you, I will accomplish.”

The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting;
[You] Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:8

I was stunned by the completeness of the work of Christ and asked, “How do I live FROM your power instead of my strength?” God’s answer was simple, but it is not always simple to apply. We cannot change that old lies and wounds will be triggered by life or others. Nor can we change that storms or debilitating feelings will arise from pressure and setbacks. However, we can respond differently, resulting in new outcomes.

The pin oak offers us a great example of replacing striving with faith in Christ’s indwelling spirit. The pin oak does not shed its leaves in the fall like most other deciduous trees. In the spring, when the new leaf emerges, the new leaf (thoughts/actions) replaces the old, unwanted leaf, causing it to fall to the ground.

The pin oak doesn’t waste its energy trying to overcome the old leaf, but draws its life from the branch to put on the new leaf. Likewise, when you intentionally adjust your mental script, regardless of your feelings or circumstances, the Spirit imparts supernatural power, causing you to see yourself and act differently.

The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of the principle of replacement. You probably recognized words like “put on,” “put off,” and “set or fix” your minds. Paul consistently emphasizes the importance of replacing unwanted thoughts and behaviors with truth-based self-talk and Christ-like actions. Rather than trying harder to avoid unwanted mindsets or choices, Paul taught us to focus on replacing our thoughts and aligning our responses to lack, frustrations, offenses, lie-based emotions, setbacks, and fear with Christ-like responses. I call this the “practice of replacement.”

For example, when debilitating feelings of inadequacy darken my mind and emotions, I have a choice. I can agree that I am not good enough and return to relying on self-protective or self-promoting habits that I hate. Or I can conduct an internal audit, trusting the Holy Spirit to illuminate the lie-based source of those feelings. 

1. 1. 1. I start with labeling my feelings.
      2. I locate the underlying lie-based thoughts or beliefs behind those feelings.
      3. I confess God’s truth and pray scriptures until my soul settles down.
      4. I choose to walk in the obedience of faith, trusting God to restore my mental and emotional peace.

Instead of relying on working harder, learning more, avoiding pain or people, blaming life, others, or doubting God, I present myself to the Father in weakness and confess the truth. I invite Him to wash over my soul and cleanse my thoughts of unrighteousness and fear of not measuring up. As I confess the truth, the Spirit puts off the fear and anxiety and enables me to say “no” to behaviors that don’t work anyway.

Practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice of replacement makes progress. I am not saying I live perfectly or that all temptations have disappeared. I still get wounded, have daily woes, and am tempted to worry instead of casting my cares on Christ. Instead of depreciating myself on those days or doubting the power of Christ in me, I turn to my Heavenly Father, who cares for me.

Peace and grace to you,