The Mindset Standard: How Kingdom Men Think Differently

Kingdom men are called to think, act, and live differently.

Jesus continually challenged his followers to think differently, knowing that right thinking leads to right actions. He confronted stale mindsets, dismantled old ways of living, and redefined what true strength means.

Living up to your full, God-given potential as a man doesn’t require perfection — but it does require change. It requires sacrifice. And most of all, for any transformation to happen, it requires death.

A death to the thoughts, mindsets, and self-serving habits that aren’t leading you – or your family – to an abundant life.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

Holding your mind and body to a higher standard isn’t optional.

It’s non-negotiable.

The Strong Mind Standards:

Change Your Identity, Change Your Life

Behavior change isn’t enough. You need a new identity.

Too many men try to ‘act right’ while failing to understand who they are – and who they are becoming.

At best this turns into an exhausting checklist. At worst this leads to a serious disconnect – between thoughts and actions – that can slowly break down your integrity over time.

You can’t act like a free man if you don’t believe you’re free
You can’t transform your actions if you don’t understand that you’re already transformed
You can’t show honor to others if you don’t honor yourself
You’ll never display strength if you don’t believe you’re strong

If you want to change your actions, change your identity.

Where are you following the lies of who you used to be instead of the man you’re becoming?

Simple = Strong

Complexity is slow, weak, and inefficient.

It gets worse.

When you overcomplicate things, you don’t just slow down your results.

Unnecessary complexity breeds anxiety.

I’ve dealt with my share of anxious thoughts, and I can trace the majority of them back to overthinking and making things more complicated than necessary.

Should I follow this workout program or that one?
Is this diet better than that one? There has to be a better way..what if I combine them?
I have so many business ideas, which one should I start? When should I start?

I’ve buried myself in unnecessary details while getting further and further from simplicity.

This always leads me to a nasty cycle of anxiety -> more research -> more uncertainty -> more anxiety -> more procrastination.

There is a reason Jesus gave an invitation to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

Simple is fast. Simple is free. Simple is strong.

Don’t fall for the trap of complexity.

Where are you adding unneccessary complexity? Where can you seek simplicity?

Why Subtraction > Addition

What you get rid of is more important than what you add.

The best artists, athletes, musicians, and entrepreneurs understand this.

I’ve seen this firsthand in my own life:

I reached sub 10% body fat, for the first time in my life, when I went from working out 6x/week, performing countless exercises, to working out 3x/week and doing 4 exercises per workout
I feel better, look better, and have great energy when I focus on simple meals that involve 4 or 5 ingredients
My relationships improve when I focus on high quality and intentional time
Our business revenue increased when we stopped trying to help all people or optimize every detail

Instead of asking, ‘What can I do?’ ask, ‘What can I stop doing?’

Small Steps. Big Vision

Most men overestimate what they can do in one year, and greatly underestimate what they can do in ten years.

I can’t remember where I first heard it, but that quote has stuck with me for several years.

It’s common to be way too ambitious about what we can accomplish today. This leads to putting things off and never getting started.

On the other hand, we greatly limit what we believe is possible in the future.

We set one year goals that can be accomplished in 3 months or 5 year goals that can be accomplished in 6 months.

When you combine big thinking, with small consistent actions, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish – and faster than you ever thought possible.

Where are you playing it safe? What’s one thing you’re putting off that you can start today?

Focus Beats Talent

The most successful people I know, in any area of life, are not superhuman or even incredibly talented in most cases.

What separates them from the rest of ‘average’ performers is their focus.

They don’t quit when it gets boring or it gets hard
They are consumed by the process as much as the result
They do the small things incredibly well
They don’t get distracted by the new or flashy approaches

Kobe Bryant was said to be found at the gym, at 3am, practicing the fundamentals – almost with a boring level of repetition.

His response?

“Why do you think I’m the best player in the world? Because I never ever get bored with the basics.”

This applies to reading your Bible, loving your wife, transforming your body, or excelling in your work.

Find your focus and don’t stop.

Where are you losing focus, skipping steps, or cutting corners? What are you currently doing that you need to bring the mindset of excellence back into?

Know When to Quit. Know When to Fight

“It’s okay to quit, but it’s never okay to give up.” – Pastor IV Marsh

I used to think that quitting made a quitter.

Here’s what I couldn’t see at the time:

You have to know the difference between quitting and giving up.

Quitting something that isn’t working is often necessary to pursue something of higher value.

Giving up is surrendering.

It’s not seeing something through because it’s hard, you’re uncomfortable, or not patient in the results.

It can be a fine line, but it’s necessary to understand.

It requires wisdom, discernment, and other men to speak into your life.

Where do you need to quit something that is no longer working or serving you? What have you given up on, that you need to pick up and get back to work on?

You’re Not Too Late. You’re Right on Time

Right now, you’re exactly where you need to be.

Nothing is a surprise to God, and it’s never too late to get started.

I used to beat myself up for things I wish I did differently, until I realized it was a waste of time and energy.

I had to learn to trust in God’s timing instead of my own timing, and to understand there were things I couldn’t see. It’s not too late…

If your body isn’t in the shape you want it to be
If your relationships aren’t where you want them to be
If your financial situation isn’t what you pictured
If you haven’t gotten started yet

The Bible is filled with people that got started late. People that thought hope was lost. People that lived their last years as their best years.

What have you been putting off because you thought it was too late?

Discipline Builds Men. Motivation Fades

Waiting until you feel like doing something is not a strategy – it’s a recipe for disappointment.

Anything good in your life requires overcoming resistance.

Paul understood this when he asks himself why he does the things he knows he shouldn’t, and doesn’t do the things he knows he should (Romans 7).

If you wait to feel like it, or wait for a burst of motivation, you’ll stay stuck in the same place.

Discipline requires obedient action.

On the days you feel like it, and the days you don’t.

Lean on discipline, obedience, and habits – regardless of if you feel like it.

That’s part of being a man.

Where are you waiting for inspiration or motivation, when you really just need to get to work?

Overcoming Indecision and Inaction

Optimization is a myth.

Trying to find the best way, to control every outcome, and to optimize an area of your life will always lead to indecision and inaction.

There is no perfect way. There are no guaranteed outcomes.

You can do the right things and still not get the result you want.

Action is the ultimate separator.

Throw out the excuses of not having time/money/resources or all the information you need to make a decision.

What’s one decision or action you’ve been putting off that you need to make today?

Starve the Flesh. Feed the Spirit

Most men live their life feeding their flesh and starving their spirit.

Flip the script and watch your life transform.

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:5-8

When you can learn that you have control over your body – and not the other way around – you can stop living moment to moment and chasing things you know aren’t serving you.

If you want all that God has for you, you must become a slave to the Spirit…not your body.

Where do you need to discipline your body and mind to step into all that God has for you?

If you enjoyed this article, you’ll love The Strength Standard Newsletter.

Each week, I share one thing to challenge you to Build Your Body, Master Your Mind, and Strengthen Your Spirit. Check out past editions of The Strength Standard and get signed up here.