Have you ever been stuck in a place where you have negative, distorted or self-defeating thought patterns like guilt and shame over past mistakes, perfectionism, comparison with others, self-reliance, or condemning self-talk?

I had the privilege of serving alongside a pastor and mentor who greatly helped me develop my ability to counsel people feeling stuck or trapped in difficult situations. When one is caught in cycles of repeating the same actions and facing the same consequences, they become imprisoned in a pattern of frustration and stagnation, unable to break free from the destructive habits that keep them stuck.

His advice was to help the person first identify the lie they were believing and then next to challenge them to get out of the cycle of “stinking thinking.”

The Bible presents a remedy for getting out of the deep abyss of “stinking thinking.” Paul wrote to the church in Rome about confronting the tension between living for oneself and living for God. He writes, “If people’s thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if their thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

Paul shares about the inner struggle of the mind and will, emphasizing that the outcome hinges on who you give control — yourself or God. A follower of Jesus is someone who is in relationship with God, and a mark of that relationship is the indwelling of God’s Spirit in that person’s life. The follower then is not controlled by their own desires, but has submitted their life to letting the Spirit guide their actions and choices. Paul explains those who indulge in self-gratification through actions God deems sinful will ultimately face spiritual death.

On the contrary, those who follow and live in God’s Spirit will reap life and peace. Paul recognizes even followers of Jesus can slip into a state of “stinking thinking” if they fail to focus on actively following God. He expands on this idea when he writes, “So, my brothers and sisters, we must not be ruled by our sinful selves or live the way our sinful selves want. If you use your lives to do the wrong things your sinful selves want, you will die spiritually. But if you use the Spirit’s help to stop doing the wrong things you do with your body, you will have true life” (Romans 8:12-13).

“Stinking thinking” is a thought pattern that can block spiritual progress and make it difficult for someone to fully embrace the freedom and transformation found in following Jesus. These destructive mindsets lead to spiritual decay, but living according to the Spirit brings a life overflowing with purpose and abundance.

Breaking free from “stinking thinking” requires an intentional shift in who or what we allow to control our thoughts. Are you allowing negative patterns to take the lead, or are you inviting the Spirit to guide you toward true life? What area of your life needs to be surrendered to God’s guidance so that you can experience life and peace to trust him fully.

Frank Alioto is the pastor of Roots Family Church and a chaplain in our community.