Hello mi neighbour | Ways to experience behaviour change

Today’s piece is intentional. I don’t want you to miss the message.

Sing these words with me: If I can help somebody, as I pass along,

If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song,

If I can show somebody, that he’s travelling wrong,

Then my living shall not be in vain.

The message here is clear: if (I am able to) and not helping somebody as I go about my daily business, I am living in vain. “An unsound message” one may say, as most, if not all, human activities are geared towards helping someone directly or indirectly. Sounds reasonable but, as the writer of this song is desiring, not all human activities are intentionally geared towards helping others. Wish they were, but human beings do not naturally behave that way. Usually, there is the “what’s in it for me” agenda. True or false? Can you identify? But, guess what – behaviours can change. Here are three simple and effective ways to experience behaviour change: change your environment, modify your mindset/motivation, and implement structured habits, like; goal-setting and self-monitoring, to make new actions easier and automatic. Do some further research and enjoy the process!

So, having established that behaviours can change, let me segue into what’s on my mind today. Today’s topic is a little different, but bear with me as I share some life-changing thoughts with some of my Christian brethren/Bible students. We are a people who read the Bible and embrace its teachings. What is confusing to the onlooker here, though, is that not much of the teaching of the Bible is reflected in Christian behaviour, and I won’t spell them out ... not throwing stones, l am living in a glass house.

Many of us are of the belief that the purpose of Bible study/reading is for information gathering and not for life transformation. Ever hear two believers argue over differences in beliefs? The real purpose of Bible study is to know God better, understand His purpose for us better, and reflect Him in all that we do. It is about being transformed to live a godly life, fostering spiritual growth, wisdom, and a deeper relationship with Him and others. It’s about understanding God’s character, plan, and love, leading to changed thinking, a new identity and practical wisdom for daily living.

GUARD AGAINST SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY

To break it down a little, Bible study is the primary way to understand God’s nature, attributes, plan, and to discover our true purpose in life, etc. Someone calls it the accelerator for spiritual development, changing hearts and minds to become more Christlike or servant-like. The study of the Word is to gain wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, empowering one to make wise choices and discerning truth from error. Hoping that this article will help to protect many religious leaders from biting the bait or falling into the trap of the enemy, as in the case of so many former stalwarts in the faith.

It is of concern that a common practice among many Christians in their study of the Bible is to critique the Bible characters rather than learn the lessons they convey to the reader. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, many of us know so much, and are only puffed up with “knowledge of the Word”. This knowledge is often used to argue and win religious arguments, making ourselves enemies of one another, forgetting the mission of the body of Christ on earth: go ye into all the world and preach ... Here’s another reminder to all concerned: “... there is one body, and one Spirit, one hope ... one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all”.

As we come to the Bible, we must come with the intention to deepen and strengthen our faith, build a practical, personal relationship with God, and guard against spiritual immaturity/failure. We must come to learn from the examples it teaches through the lives of biblical figures, offering both positive models and warnings about sin’s consequences.

As we study with the community, it builds unity, provides support, and allows us to discover truth together. Ultimately, the goal isn’t just knowledge but a life transformed by beholding God’s glory, and His glory in one another.

Now, let’s have a closing song:

We are one in the Lord

And we pray that our unity will this day be restored

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.

One LOVE

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KINDLY HELP A NEIGHBOUR WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

1. Stove

2. Refrigerator

3. Bed

4. Food

5. Help with medication

6. Financial assistance to start a little business.

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636/876 884-3866 or deposit in acct #351 044 276 NCB. Alternatively, send donations to Hello Neighbour C/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10; Paypal/credit card: email: zicron22@yahoo.com. Contact email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.