Section 4: Protecting Your Precious Resource with Transformed Thinking

Your thoughts shape your potential; guard them wisely. True transformation begins when you align your thinking with divine truth, rejecting distractions and worldly limitations.

Your potential is a precious resource that requires protection. Yet, one of the greatest threats to your potential is your own thinking and your relationship with information. Much of what we think has been influenced by what the world has taught us. However, it is essential for the protection of your purpose and potential to be intentional about what you know, what you understand, and what you consume as wise counsel and information worthy of internalizing. Feigning ignorance, or failing to be proactive about gaining wisdom, knowledge and understanding is a major threat to you realizing your potential. 

You must initiate your own action, and taking action must be anchored in wise counsel.  Do not assume that all religious doctrine is wise counsel. Instead, test the spirits and the source, and ask yourself whether the counsel is anchored in biblical truth.  

Throughout this course and particularly this section, we have used words or “jargon” that we see often in spiritual spaces, yet oftentimes we do so without true understanding of their meaning. These words such as truth, wisdom, knowledge and understanding, as well as their opposites or contrasts, are anchors for transformed thinking. 

KEY DEFINITIONS FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL THINKING (Create Infographic) 

Truth v. Fact

Truth is eternal and universal. Fact, on the other hand, is the present state of a thing or affairs. Truth is grounded in everlasting power and cannot change. Truth is revealed through divine revelation and wisdom. Facts are subject to and limited by the bounds of human understanding.  Truth is discovered and realized through intimacy and connection with the Creator. 

Responsibility v. Immediacy 

When the Creator created the earth and placed man in the garden, He did not give man a finished product. Instead he gave a responsibility to mankind to “Be fruitful, and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28) Rather than filling the earth with people at the start of creation, the Creator created beings with the potential to multiply, and fill the earth. The potential of each seed in the garden became the responsibility of mankind to unlock and release. This requires time, effort, and responsibility. Remember nothing purposeful in life is instant or immediate. 

Good v. Right 

All good things are not good things for you, meaning they are not the “right” thing for you. Purpose calls for doing what is “right” and purposeful for your life more than what is “good.” For example, it may be “good” to get a law degree but if that degree does not set you on the path to your purpose then it is not the “right” thing.  This is a very common misconception.  What you were born to do is more important than what you were trained to do!

Work v Job 

Your job is what you are paid to do, you can be fired from your job. Yet, your work is what you are called to do, you cannot be fired from your work. A job allows us to display our skills, and we can be fired from a job. Yet, your work allows you to use your gifts, and you cannot be fired from your work. 

Your Employment v Your Deployment

You are employed on a job and you have to seek employment opportunities. Yet,  you are deployed to do your work and deployment opportunities seek you. 

Knowledge v. Information 

Information is the raw material for knowledge, it is the raw data or facts which can come from any source. Whereas, knowledge is anchored in truth, and comes from the Divine, knowledge is divine information that has been comprehended and internalized. Knowledge is fruit bearing, for purposeful application and yields impactful outcomes . Knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions

Understanding

Understanding is comprehension and insight. It allows you to see the meaning of knowledge and how it applies to your life. 

Wisdom 

Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge and understanding. Wisdom is the ability to make sound judgements and decisions based on knowledge and understanding. It is the application of knowledge and understanding in real life situations to produce success. The desired result of applying wisdom is realizing your purpose and potential. 

Your Job vs Your Work

Watch Video: 1:41 mins

Employment vs Deployment

Watch Video: 2:32 mins