6 of My Greatest Quotes
By Steve Backlund
I have worked hard at creating memorable phrases that explain great truths in few words.
My hopelessness about a problem is a bigger problem than the problem - “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Transformation does not come from trying harder, but by believing higher. If we are working hard to bring change in our lives, but have bad beliefs about those areas, our beliefs will short-circuit long-term transformation and breakthrough. A lack of hope reveals we are believing lies concerning where we want to see upgrades. It is the wise person who “works” more on their beliefs, rather than just their actions.
Increasing hope is a main evidence we are renewing our minds with truth instead of lies - Romans 12:2 is obviously talking about positive mind-renewal, but the truth is we can renew our minds with lies or truth. Romans 15:13 shows us what happens when we renew our mind with what God has said and is saying. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”.
We cannot consistently do what we don’t believe we are - When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations, there is an interesting exchange between them about Jeremiah’s belief system. “‘Before you (Jeremiah) were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.’ Then said I: ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.’ But the Lord said to me: ‘Do not say, ‘I am a youth’” (Jeremiah 1:5-7). Jeremiah was focusing on what he thought he was not rather than who God said he was. If he did not change that mindset, he would not be able to fulfill his true purpose. In the same way, if we try to act righteous but believe we are sinners, we will have great difficulty acting righteous. As a matter of fact, if we believe we are a sinner, we will sin by faith. (See 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 6:11; and Romans 5:17 for insights on this.)
We get saved by believing in Jesus; we get free by believing like Jesus - “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (John 8:31-32). We are so thankful for the eternal life we receive by believing in Jesus, but there is something more (knowing truth in the various aspects of our lives). Freedom is the result of really knowing truth. When we believe truth, we first get free in our emotions and then in our circumstances.
The nature of deception is that we do not know we are deceived - “Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:4). The god of this age is the devil. Jesus spoke these words concerning him. “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). The devil’s only workable weapon is lies. He is a deceiver. Lies are something that appear true but are not. How do we know if we are being deceived? Here is the answer: Any area of our lives that does not glisten with hope means we are deceived and believing lies. This revelation changes everything.
The most important truths we need to hear will sound ridiculous when we first hear them - “‘Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, ‘Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?’ And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!’” (Genesis 17:17-18). Abraham is one of many biblical examples of how God’s plans for our lives seem ridiculous because they do not agree with our feelings or past experience. “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10) If we are only hearing and prophesying things that make sense to the natural mind, then we will have difficulty seeing true breakthrough. The plans and callings God has for ourselves, the people around us, the cities we live in, and our nations will sound ridiculous to the one who is perpetually renewing their minds with their past and their feelings. Let’s resist the temptation to automatically discount words that seem too good to be true, because often they are the seed of transformation, revival, and reformation.
Why don’t you speak these six quotes out loud. It will open your life to new possibilities and hope.