People do not seem to like the word “change” because they associate “change” with turmoil, pain and discomfort. They say, “I don ‘t like change!” “Don ‘t upset the apple cart!” “Don ‘t stir things up!” “Don ‘t go changing things!” People resist change because it – upsets their routines, upsets their patterns and upsets their habits. But we all know that – some routines, some patterns, some habits – are bad for us.
Nail biting, tardiness, cursing, gossiping – are all bad habits. Overeating, being a workaholic, being a clean freak, fits of anger – are all bad compulsions. Smoking, feeding on pornography, the misuse of caffeine, alcohol, drugs, (and there ‘s no end to the list) – are all destructive addictions. And all of these – most people really want to change! But – they just don ‘t know how to do it and survive the process.
Most have tried to change! They have tried “mind over matter!” They have used their “will power!” They have used – all kinds of things – and have failed – with many just retreating to a point of acceptance of that “thing” that holds them in bondage.
Christianity at its very core is about change! To be a “Christian” is about becoming like (to CHANGE into the likeness of) Christ!
To change from the way you are; To change from your old routines; To change from your old patterns; To change from your old habits; To change from your old “life style!”
Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
So we see that change is needed. And telling someone to change isn ‘t enough!
Change is a process!
1. You must “See the Need” to change.
2. You must “Desire” to change.
3. You must “Decide” to change.
4. You must “know how” to change.
So, how do you change?
You are a spirit, you have a soul (made up of your mind, will and emotions) and you live and operate in a body. Your spirit was created to have ascendancy – over your mind, over your will, over your emotions and over your body.
(Read that last paragraph again and really let that sink in. It would require several articles of this size to fully expand that little “sound-byte”.)
When born-again, your spirit is instantly renewed. But your soul is not! The mind is not, the will is not and the emotions are not. So the renewal of the mind is the next order of business. If you want to be like Jesus, the Living Word – then you need to reprogram your mind with the written Word of God. Read the Word, and do the Word by living what it says.
The written Word of God IS the will of God – for you! Learn what that will is! Speak it, act it and live it!
Next, expand that renewal project to include your will and emotions – bring them each under the control and domination of your spirit – aided by your now partially renewed mind.
2 Cor. 4:16 says, “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” 3rd John 1:2 says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.”
We read earlier in Romans 12:2 where it said, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed (changed) by the renewing (reprogramming) of your mind.” WHY? “That ye may prove (KNOW, beyond a shadow of a doubt) what the perfect, will of God is!”
THIS is how to CHANGE and become like Jesus!