How we live our lives, the kind of decisions we make, the actions that we take, the things we do and think, all come from inside us somewhere. This belief system can really influence the way that we look after ourselves and our bodies, the way we eat, the way we exercise, whether we self-sabotage, or whether we give in to temptation.  As Christians, we believe that Christ came to set us free, and that includes giving us freedom in these areas. He has provided a framework for us to learn how to live healthy, whole and free. But sometimes we find ourselves depending on other belief systems; it’s almost as if we have some kind of ridiculous rulebook inside of us that takes over.

In this video, and the blog below, are 3 ‘R’s that can help you to throw out the ridiculous rules and live instead by the framework God has given us.

The first ‘R’ is to Recognise that you may hold some beliefs that aren’t from the Bible or from God, which are influencing how you think and how you behave, particularly in the realms of healthy living. This ‘rulebook’ could have been handed on to you from others; you might have just accepted it, or you could have taken little bits and swallowed it chunk by chunk over your life. It may be that you’ve taken part in different kinds of diet, exercise or healthy living programs that have given you some rules for living, dieting and looking after yourself that aren’t actually from the framework that Jesus has taught us. It is very important to recognise that those rules are coming from somewhere inside that isn’t real, and isn’t worthy of a place in your belief system. They can affect the way that you feel about eating, exercising and your self-worth. So, what have diets, exercise programs, articles and things in your past taught you that you sometimes rely on or believe in now? It might be simple things such as ‘avocados are fattening’, or ‘don’t eat carbs after 8pm’ or ‘if you have pudding, you need to burn it off by going on the treadmill’. The reality is these things are not true, but you may still be following these ‘rules’. 

The second ‘R’ is that you need to Ridicule these thoughts. Declare: ‘Get behind me Satan’ and trample on those negative thoughts that haven’t come from God, but from elsewhere.  Squash them; declare God’s power and that you don’t believe them anymore. Recognise these lies for what they are and ridicule them.   

And the third ‘R’ is to Replace that ridiculous rulebook. Just as you took on little bits for your own internal rule book, you can replace them with different things are based on biblical truth. Sing worship songs, recite passages and bible verses, declare the promises of God and speak positive things. With a positive, can-do attitude you can gradually throw out those rules that actually stop you having freedom in this area, and replace them with the reality of God’s framework and the guide that he has given us.

It is completely possible to break out from being trapped by this kind of false thinking. By recognising ridiculous rules for the lies they are and, bit by bit, replacing them with Biblical truth and a renewed focus on God, we can live in freedom.