The tagline of this site is
“What you believe affects how you live”
The opposite of this is true as well though. Our beliefs shape our thoughts, emotions, words and actions (at least if we are being consistent) but not only do those actions demonstrate what we are believing, showing the fruit but they can also shape our beliefs too.
There are a couple of ways that this happens. First, simply that sadly I’ve seen people make conscious decisions. They know that their lives are inconsistent with what the Bible teaches about God, us and the world around us. However, instead of acting to change their habits, the harder thing, they opt to change their beliefs.
Then there is the fact that our actions and especially our habits start to get to work on our neural pathways. I understand that there is an element of plasticity to them. We can actually change and re-wire how we think. That’s also why the environment and culture around us matters.
Thirdly our actions draw responses from others which affect our feelings and perceptions which may again affect our beliefs. If I’m constantly aggressive or mean to others, they may in turn respond harshly to me. This may lead me to believe that I am unloved and from there, that if I’m unlovable then nor does God love me, hence God is not love.
God may choose to discipline me in response to my sin by removing assurance and the constant awareness of his presence. This may cause me to doubt God.
So, it is not a surprise sadly to hear people say that they no longer have sure and secure beliefs about God and the Gospel. You then look at their lifestyle and see its disordered nature. Which came first, the loss of belief or the disordered, sinful life. It may be impossible to say for sure but they are both closely connected.
Faithroots 
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