Divine Imitation

June 04, 2025

When we're filled with God's thoughts, we naturally speak words of grace that build others up.

In our spiritual journey, how we think shapes our reality. Your thought process can either complicate situations or smooth them, creating joy or sadness. The beautiful truth is that you possess the filter to choose what enters your mind and heart.

The Power of Your Thoughts

We often blame external circumstances for our happiness or sadness, but this mindset contradicts spiritual wisdom. No one can control your happiness except you. You have this authority. Jesus never blamed others and never taught us to blame others.

Be angry but do not sin.

There's a right way to direct your emotions, be angry at sickness, poverty, or the spiritual forces behind challenges, but never at people themselves.

Speaking Words of Grace

"And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them." - Ephesians 4:29 (TPT)

Our words flow directly from our thought processes. The passion translation beautifully renders this verse: "Never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others... by speaking words of grace to help them."

Words of grace don't form by themselves, they emerge from a mind filled with godly desires and positive thinking.

Beyond Salvation Alone

Consider the story of Lazarus from Luke 16. Though righteous, he lived a pathetic life without vision or higher desires. He viewed God merely as a ticket to heaven, failing to embrace the fullness of what Jesus offers. He used Jesus solely for salvation but didn't place himself under Christ's lordship in every area of life.

Lazarus never realized that Jesus could be his savior in economic matters, in difficult situations, or even in sickness. Similarly, many Christians today use Jesus only as their passport to heaven, missing that His primary purpose was to reconnect us with the Father and restore relationship in every dimension of life.

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:1

This verse calls us to imitate God in our thinking—to see ourselves and our circumstances through His eyes. We're invited to be imitators of God in everything we do, living a life characterized by the same love Christ demonstrated.

Called to Imitate God

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:1

The Greek word used here suggests mimicking, like an actor playing a role. God wants us to mimic Him, being filled with His thoughts, love, deeds, and character.

God wants us to mimic Him and be filled with His thoughts.

When we're filled with God's thoughts, there's no room for silly thoughts, mood fluctuations, or becoming upset without reason. We don't need to live like Lazarus, limited by small thinking.

The Grasshopper Effect

Remember when the Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land? In their thought process, they didn't think like God. Instead, they saw themselves as grasshoppers compared to the inhabitants.

When we don't imitate God and fill ourselves with His thoughts, a gap forms, what I call the "grasshopper effect." Your mind never remains empty; it's always thinking about something. If not filled with God's thoughts, it will be filled with something else.

The Principle of Desire

Here's a powerful principle: whatever desire we hold will eventually manifest. It works like a light switch anyone can activate it, regardless of who they are. Just as a child, an adult, or even a drunken person can turn on a switch and the light will glow, anyone can activate the principle of desire.

This explains why even unrighteous people can become wealthy; they've understood and activated this principle. The rich man in Luke 16 understood this principle, he knew that desiring big things could lead to achievement, and he activated this knowledge. That's why we see many unrighteous people prospering in the world.

But this should encourage us, if unrighteous people can be rich by understanding this principle, surely righteous people can be even richer! The difference is that we have God while they don't. We know both the principles and the presence of God.

"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" - Mark 8:36

This verse perfectly applies to people like the rich man who was wealthy but had a significant gap in his life. We must seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness—this should be our primary focus, and it will bring everything else including godly desires. The rich man understood the principle but missed the presence of God, which is the worst situation to be in.

Freedom from Worry

When we're filled with God's thoughts, worry disappears.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6

The Passion Translation says: "Don't be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing." Worry is like being pulled apart by competing forces. Instead, we should live in prayer, not religious babbling, but believing God's Word and declaring His promises.

Conclusion

Imitate God and be filled with His thoughts. This transformation will change your circumstances and produce a positive atmosphere around you. When you understand that you are God's child, filled with His power and love, you'll attract people, favor, and blessings. You'll unlock new levels in your spiritual journey.

Reflect on This

1. In what areas of your life do you need to replace "grasshopper thinking" with God's thoughts?

2. How might your relationships change if you consistently spoke only words of grace that build others up?

Prayer

Father, I declare that I am an imitator of You in everything I do. I choose to be filled with Your thoughts, Your love, and Your character. Thank You that as I mimic You, I attract favor and unlock new blessings. I am Your child, conscious of Your presence and power working in every area of my life. I reject worry and negative thinking, choosing instead to declare Your promises over my circumstances. In Jesus' name, I am already walking in victory.. Amen.

Key Takeaways

• Your thought process determines whether you experience joy or sadness in any situation.

• We have the authority to choose what enters our minds, no one can control our happiness but us.

• God calls us to mimic Him and be filled with His thoughts, leaving no room for negative thinking.

• The principle of desire works for everyone, but as believers, we have both the principle and God's presence.

• When we're filled with God's thoughts, we naturally speak words of grace that build others up.

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To dive deeper into this powerful message, watch the full sermon on our YouTube video below.