Stop the Negative Self-Talk

Change Begins with Your Christ-Centered Identity

Scripture References

Primary text

• Proverbs 23:7
• John 8:44
• Ephesians 4

Other references

• Luke 21:37
• Luke 22:39

Overview

“You do what you do because of what you think of you.”
Pastor Craig shows how our most consistent behaviors flow from the way we see ourselves, not merely from willpower or circumstances. By exposing the enemy’s lies about our identity and replacing them with Christ’s truth, we can form habits that honor God and reinforce who He says we are.

Main Points

Secondary reasons we act

• Obligation: wanting to be a good parent, employee, or Christian.
• Desire: genuinely wanting to please God or choose wisely.
• Acceptance: shaping an image so others will like us (e.g., carefully filtered photos).

The primary reason: identity

“You do what you do because of what you think of you.”

• Proverbs 23:7 anchors the truth that thinking shapes being.
• In every situation the mind subconsciously asks:
  1. What kind of person am I?
  2. What kind of situation is this?
  3. What does someone like me do in a situation like this?
• Our answers create repeated patterns—hitting snooze, confronting a driver, choosing donuts, etc.

The devil’s strategy: lie about who you are

• John 8:44 – Satan is “a liar and the father of lies.”
• He doesn’t just say “you did something bad;” he says “you are bad.”
• Distorted identity ➔ destructive habits ➔ deeper distortion (addiction, overspending, isolation).

Breaking the cycle with a Christ-centered identity

• Christ-centered identity ➔ Christ-honoring habits ➔ reinforced identity.
• Example from Jesus: His habit was evening prayer on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37; 22:39). He asked “Who am I? God’s Son who needs intimacy with the Father,” then acted accordingly.

Who before do

• Decide who you want to become before deciding what to do.
  Examples:
  • “I am a mom who is fully present and intentionally engaged.”
  • “I am a teenager who walks in purity and rejects pornography.”
  • “I am a man of God who lays down his life for his family.”
• Every action is “a vote” for that identity (James Clear, Atomic Habits).

Renew your mind and put on the new self

• Ephesians 4: throw off the old sinful nature; let the Spirit renew thoughts and attitudes; put on the new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

What Jesus says about you

• New creation, God’s workmanship, light of the world, ambassador, more than a conqueror, forgiven, chosen, Spirit-filled.
• His truth replaces every lie that says, “You can’t change.”

Key Truths

• Identity drives behavior; change the inside and the outside will follow.
• Satan attacks at the identity level; Jesus counters with truth that sets free.
• Distorted identity fuels destructive habits, but Christ-centered identity fuels holy habits.
• Start with “who before do”—clarity of identity guides consistent action.
• Repeated, Spirit-led actions reinforce and embody the new identity.

Response

• Identify the lie you’ve believed about yourself and renounce it.
• Ask God to define your “who” before you plan your next “do.”
• Write one Christ-centered identity statement and rehearse it daily.
• Cast a “vote” for that identity with one small, consistent action today.
• Replace sabotaging habits with practices that align with who you are in Christ (prayer, Scripture, generosity, integrity).

Closing

Pastor Craig urged listeners to step out of the old self and into the new, refusing the enemy’s labels and embracing Christ’s truth.

“If you want to change what you do, change what you think of you.”
He invited everyone to surrender to Jesus, receive forgiveness, and live from a renewed identity that produces God-honoring habits.

Prayer

“Heavenly Father, forgive me all of my sins. Save me. Change my mind to think like You. Fill me with Your Spirit so I can live for You. My life is not mine; I give it all to You. Thank You for new life—You have all of mine. In Jesus’ name I pray.”

Resources

• Craig Groeschel, The Power to Change: Mastering the Habits That Matter Most (upcoming release)
• James Clear, Atomic Habits