Have you achieved Christian Cognitive Consistency?
1. Consider your knowledge of God in relation to your prayer life. Are you praying from your own wishful thinking and “praying amiss” (James 4:1-6)? Consider these thought starters in your answer:
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How do you feel and/or react when your prayers aren't answered in a way you were praying for?
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Read Acts 17:22-28. Are you praying to "an unknown God"?
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How do you develop an accurate view of God? Have you aligned your perspective and your will to agree with God’s principles?
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How does your view of God shape your expectations? Include in your answer how your view affects your behavior and how your attitude impacts your decision-making?
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Do you constantly go to God in prayer so that you express your heart's desires or your fears so that you can move on with your day, accepting the forthcoming reality with confident hope, regardless of the circumstances you face?
2. Read Romans 10:9-10; "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved". Consider this statement in context with Jesus said in John 14:15,“If you love Me, keep My commandments" and 15:14, "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you". Describe what these verses indicate about a Christian who practices cognitive consistency.
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Does your answer reveal a psycho-social balance?
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What actions should you do more of, less of and what actions should you keep the same?
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3. In John 15:1-12, remaining in the vine is similar to the language "abiding in Christ" . They both imply decision- making that leads to holy actions. Jesus said,
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
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Do you choose to position your relationship with God so that your attitude energizes your behavior as demonstrated by your willingness to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27, 1 Timothy 6:12)?
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Do you see the freedom you have in Christ as He has given you the power to control your production of fruit in your life?
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Has Christ both saved you (attached you to the vine) and set you free (given you the free choice to determine the output of fruit production from His seed of Love) so you can live out your new normal in Christ; C = E ?
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Read 1 Chronicles 29:3, King David declares he will give from his own private resources, money/gold to fund the building of the temple. In verse 9, the citizens followed King David's example: "The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy." Read the prayer of King David in 1 Chronicles 29:10-19. This is not just a good example of leadership, but it also reveals what value-based decision making looks like and how it brings joy.
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What attitude did King David display about God in front of the townspeople?
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How was that attitude reflected in his behavior?
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Why did the people also join in and willing honor God by sacrificing their own money?
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How do you express your value towards God?
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Joy is both a precursor to action (an attitude) and a result of from an action taken (behavior that met the goal). Explain the attitude you use to make decisions? Is it constant?
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Does Christian cognitive dissonance steal your joy? If so, what can you change to better align your attitude and behavior?
4. Since you accepted the reality of God's demonstrated love and applied it to your own life, have you become a new creature in Christ, not just spiritually but physically? Why o/r why not?
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Have you decided to choose to bend your will so you express God-honoring behavior expressed in trust and obedience, honor and submission to Him?
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Do you show your renewed Spirit by rearranging your life’s priorities so God is placed in the center of your life, before yourself and others?
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Are you showing more resiliency or losing your motivation?
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Do you put the effort into learning new habits so you can physically act out who you have become in your renewed spirit (Ephesians 4:13-24)?
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When you are trusting God more than yourself, do you walk more calmly, confidently and boldly into any situation (D(A+B) = E )? Also review "Let the Holy Spirit (D) Empower Your A, B, C’s".
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Can you see the correlation between your level of peace and your A, B, C's?
5. Consider Ephesians 4:1-3 together with Galatians 5:22-23. Are you able to maintain unity with the Holy Spirit while achieving peace, both internally - within yourself, and outwardly with your neighbors? Why? or Why not?
6. Will you choose to be a conduit for God’s electric love?
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