Change (to please God and resolve problems)
See also Overcoming Sin.
1. A true Christian can change, for God makes it possible through a spiritual renewal.
2 Cor. 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Ezek. 36:25–27. “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”
2. Believers are children of God, born again by the Spirit of God.
John 1:13 … Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Titus 3:4–6. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.
3. Empowered by Christ, the vine, we can and must bear much fruit.
John 15:1–5. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
4. God will enable you to change and you must.
Phil. 2:12–13. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
5. God calls you to put off old sinful ways and to put on new and godly ways.
Eph. 4:17–32. (Do not live as unbelievers do, but live as children of light.)
Eph. 4:22–24. That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
6. Paul gives us specific instructions on what must be done.
Eph. 5:1–21.
7. The Bible gives us rules for holy living.
Col. 3:1–17.
8. Put to death the misdeeds of the body.
Col. 3:5. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
9. Live by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Rom. 8:1–14.
Rom. 8:13–14. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
10. Train yourself toward godliness.
1 Tim. 4:7. But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
11. Keep working at change; forget the things of the past and press on.
Phil. 3:12–14. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
12. Put much effort into living a godly life.
2 Peter 3:14. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
13. Use the whole armor of God.
Eph. 6:10–17.
14. Resist the devil.
James 4:7. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
15. No longer use your body to sin but to serve God.
Rom. 6:10–23.
16. Cast off all that hinders you.
Heb. 12:1. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.[1]
[1] Kruis, J. G. (1994). Quick scripture reference for counseling (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
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