Chapter One
The “Paradigm Shift”
Paradigm: A pattern or model, set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitute a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline. (Free Dictionary, 2011)
The two most important messages of the kingdom of God are and have always been love and repentance. Many forerunners to Jesus Christ were sent to speak expressly of a coming Messiah who would, because of love, do away with the sinful effects of all other ungodly kingdoms on those who accept him as Lord in their hearts. In the Old Testament, prophets such as Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah foretold of a Savior who would one day sacrifice his life. The blood the Messiah was to shed would atone for the sins of mankind and shift us back into rightful kingdom position. It is through repentance and acceptance of the message of Jesus Christ relationship with our heavenly father is restored and we are placed back into divine alignment with him. One messenger in particular, John the Baptist, was so familiar with the message of repentance that he traveled the region preaching, “repent for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Even Jesus Christ himself called souls to repentance with the main focus of his message being, “for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The eternal fact remains that the Son of God was given. However, it is dependent upon whether we believe in his works if we are to be saved from destruction and gain eternal life.
Individuals who sincerely repent and accept the message of Jesus Christ, in its entirety, empowers him/herself against the tricks of the enemy. Otherwise stated, when one embraces the truth of Christ’s virgin birth, earthly ministry, death, burial, and resurrection, then God, by invitation enters and reigns in the heart of the believer (Romans 10:9). As a result, the enemy is denied access and no longer has legal rights. All of Satan’s devices designed to lure God’s children into the traps of sin, causing unrest, frustration, anxiety, fear, disbelief, envy, strife, pride, deception, and ultimately spiritual death, now become of null effect. As the believer continues to diligently seek God through prayer and the study of his word, the mind and heart will become transformed to spiritual matters. When one can begin to better understand God’s plans and strategies he utilizes to defeat the devil, then they have entered the first phase of paradigm shifting.
“First Paradigm Shift” Known to Man
One day, out of nowhere, my husband came to me and said, “Honey, you know how you are always talking about a paradigm shift? Have you ever considered that God performed the first paradigm shift in the dispensation of Noah?” WOW, this was an awesome revelation, and as we continued to search the scriptures together the Lord continued to reveal more. We rediscovered because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience their seed had become corrupt which caused their original mandate to be shifted to another. In order to produce a righteous nation, the creator of all deemed it necessary to restructure his kingdom and give the people one more opportunity to turn to him. Noah received strategic plans from the Lord to give a deliverance message to the people and the master plan to build an ark. Those whom would accept and repent could board to escape judgment. Noah was to issue the warning that in 120 days God would flood the earth. Those who would turn from sin and worship the true and living God would save their lives with divine permission to join Noah and his family in the safety of the ark. It was unfortunate that the people did not heed the warning and all but Noah and his house lost their life in the flood. I am sure once the waters began to rise that many cried out frantically and were desperate to board the ark. However, Noah was commissioned to obey the instructions of God and as such could not assist anyone with their cries for help.
Once the waters receded and Noah’s family was on dry ground, a spiritual changing of the guard took place. The same mandate that was issued to Adam and Eve now fell upon Noah and his sons. “Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth” (Genesis 1:28). “And the fear of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, every fowl of the air, and upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon the fishes of the sea; into your hands are they delivered” (Genesis 9:1, 2, and 7).
Our healing, restoration, refreshing, deliverance and newness of mind, as in the days of Noah, are all contingent on our individual willingness to take ownership of our wrong attitudes and actions (Acts 3:19). By divine spiritual law God’s judgment will eventually come, and every kingdom assignment issued those who refuse to repent of their ungodly ways will be transferred to a willing vessel.
Define Shift:
We are living in a prophetic season where God is shifting believers all over the body of Christ. It is unfortunate that many believe this move only consists of the gaining of worldly goods, positions in the church, or financial blessings.
However, before the aforementioned can be fully manifested, the first shift must take place in the heart and mind. This type of shift occurs when true repentance of a contrite heart humbles the believer before the presence of the almighty God. When defining a paradigm shift, it is important to keep in mind the definition of repentance. According to many resources, repentance is a change of thought and action to correct a wrong. In the spiritual context, repentance refers to confessing to God, ceasing from sin against God and resolving to live according to his law (Wikipedia, 2011). In other words, in order to experience any lasting change, one must make up his/her mind to adhere to the word of God by disciplining him/herself to obey, godly principles, even in the midst of great obstacles and tribulation. During seasons of repentance, one begins to identify faulty patterns of thinking, sinful habits that have been formed, and begin to realize that all widely accepted customs and beliefs do not always align with the will of God. A restructuring of the mind becomes necessary in order to clean out old waste. In other words, the clearing out traumatic experiences, negative thought patterns, fears, and self-imposed limitations which inhibit one’s ability to believe or except the plans of God. Plans to prosper and not harm, plans to give an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).
Given these facts a shift, simply stated, is a change in position. The paradigm is far from a basic relocation or replacement. For if one can move to another place, and carry as their baggage the same mindset, then those old patterns will show up to taunt and delay the promises and inheritance of God. Old behaviors will begin to manifest in ways we never imagined (Romans 7:21). In this event, it is imperative that one quickly recognize and take inventory of the thought patterns that need to experience paradigm shifting, total transformation. Before we can exhibit godly character or experience the glory of God, one must go through a series of shifting.