Live As If
Judges 6–7 tells the story of Gideon. This guy was a wimp. He was in the smallest clan in the smallest Israelite tribe, which lived in defeat and fear of the enemy. Gideon was so fearful of being seen that he winnowed wheat (something people in the wind on a hilltop) in a winepress (dug low in the ground out of sight).
But God was looking for someone to lead his people. He seemed particularly interested in finding a wimp to turn into a warrior. So he sent an angel to Gideon and said, “Greetings, mighty warrior!”
Gideon probably looked around to see whom the angel was talking to. Then through testing and trials, Gideon indeed rose to not only lead his little tribe but also the entire nation of Israel to victory. Before he found victory Gideon had to think and act as if he really were a mighty warrior, as if he were strong, as if he were a leader.
Like Gideon, we are covenant people of God. If we are to fully live our life in Christ, or live up to our potential, we must think ahead to where God calls us to be and then act as if we already are. We must live as if. This is another way of saying think and act by faith before it becomes a reality.
Is this like “fake it until you make it”? Not really. It’s an act of faith. It’s identifying with what Scripture says about us, internalizing it, fully believing it, then living according to that in our actions.
It means first thinking and then acting by faith before things become reality—they become reality in the consistent thinking and doing.
I’m not saying this applies to things for which we’re not called. This is not about pretending. So use discernment. Yet be bold in stepping beyond your boundaries.
Then apply it:
Live as if you’re the person you haven’t yet become.
Live as if you’re doing that thing you haven’t yet done.
Live as if you’re overcoming that obstacle.
Live as if you’re stepping out in faith.
Live as if you’re pure.
Live as if you can…
There is a time for reflection.
There is a time for positive biblical thinking that leads to action—and a new reality.
That is the power of living as if.
Well said, Peter. It goes along with how Jesus told us to pray, that is, to believe that we’ve already received what we asked for. That means living and thinking like we’ve already received it. Praying and living like that is not only more fun and exciting, but it’s being obedient to Jesus.
In the ongoing process of “renewing my mind,” I’ve seen the importance of positive thinking and attitude in my life — shouldn’t we as believers be the most positive of all? Kenneth Copeland and Joel Osteen have helped me along that way. They are ministers I used to criticize, but no longer. No one’s theology is perfect — rather, how well a minister leads people into a deeper, richer, and truer life in Christ is what counts.
Blessings.
Excellent explanation on how to walk in faith. We need to strike that balance between thinking (believing) and acting in faith (doing when we think we can’t) in order to produce true fruit. And we are called to bear fruit. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.