Prinicples of Change

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.  So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil." Ephesians 4:21-27(NLT)   

Nothing on earth is perfect. Every product we buy and even the food we eat is allowed to have some acceptable level of defect. This applies to people also. Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NLT) tells us "Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins." The fact is that you will never be sinless on earth, but it is possible to sin less. In this devotional we are going to look at why it is so hard to change our defects and what it takes to actually change them.

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO CHANGE MYSELF?
Our character defects come from three sources, biological, sociological, and theological. The biological source is our genetics. Each of us has inherited some physical and emotional defects. These genetic defects may explain our inclinations but they do not excuse our sin. Our background is the sociological source. The way we were raised modeled behaviors. We learned how to respond to hurts and our defects are often attempts to meet our unmet needs. The final source is the choices we make. What we choose to do repeatedly becomes a habit. These habits can be good or bad. Our defects are often our strengths being misused.There are four reasons why it is hard to change some of our defects.   

1. Because I've had them so long!In general, the things we want to change weren't developed overnight, they took time to develop. We have trouble changing them because we are used to them.

2. Because I identify with them!We often confuse our identity with our defects. By identifying with our defects, we set up a self-fulfilling prophecy. Then when we want to change, we are afraid that if we change we won't be ourselves.

3. Because my defects have a payoff! We don't do things that aren't rewarded. Anytime a negative behavior is repeated there is some payoff, even if it is temporary. It may mask our pain, give us an excuse to fail, get us the attention we desire, or any number of other payoffs.

4. Because Satan discourages me!Satan is known as the accuser. He is constantly suggesting negative thoughts to keep us from changing. He may try to tell us that we will never be able to change, it's hopeless. Or he might suggest that it will never work or people we like will walk out of our life if we change.

 

PRINCIPLES FOR PERSONAL CHANGE:
CHANGE REQUIRES LEARNING THE TRUTH "Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,..."Eph. 4:21 (NLT)" All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."  2 Tim. 3:16-17 (NLT)  

 CHANGE REQUIRES MAKING CHOICES "...throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception." Eph. 4:22 (NLT)"... Continue to WORK OUT your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who WORKS IN you to will and to act according to his good purpose."Phil. 2:12-13 (NIV 1984)

CHANGE REQUIRES NEW THINKING "Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes."Eph. 4:23 (NKJV)"Let the same mind and attitude be in you which was in Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:5      

CHANGE REQUIRES THE HOLY SPIRIT "Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.." Eph. 4:24 (NLT) "So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit-makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.."2 Cor. 3:18 (NLT)

CHANGE REQUIRES HONEST COMMUNITY "So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body." Eph. 4:25(NLT)

"By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ." Gal. 6:2 (NCV)

CHANGE REQUIRES OVERCOMING TEMPTATION "Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil." Eph. 4:26-27 (NLT)

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:
 Change is difficult and often messy but it is possible. The real question is how serious are you about changing for the better? What is keeping you from making the changes you want to make? How will you apply the lessons learned from this study to get you started on a path toward lasting change? Find a partner you can trust with the truth about the area of your life you want to change and get started now. Ask God to give you the wisdom and strength to accomplish the changes. Change is your choice. God bless you.