Change From Within with the power of Faith

Change From Within with the power of Faith

The word of god is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

“I can’t change. I’ve tried and tried. Heaven only knows it’s impossible. I’m stuck.” Many people actually believe those words. They are frustrated with their efforts.

They try not to get upset at others, or blow up, but they can’t seem to change. They have destructive habits. Yet God’s Word emphatically says we can change.

One area in particular that is a source of turmoil for many of us is our thought lives. What goes on in our minds is often a battleground we would not want anyone to view if it were played on a video!

We have negative thoughts about ourselves, friends, employers or employees and even our partners. We struggle with lust, envy, jealousy and pride. We know we want to change for the better, yet we do not seem to change much or as fast as we want.

You will change, however; you can change. You are in for a radical change. Scripture says that because the Holy Spirit dwells in your heart, you will be transformed: “We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).

Change is possible for those of us who are believers in Christ Jesus, because our faith is an inward transformation, not just an outward conformity.

When Paul says, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Gal. 4:19, KJV, emphasis added), he is telling us that we have to let Jesus Christ live in and through us.

In Ephesians 4:23,24, we are told to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind; . . . put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (KJV).

The new man has to be put on from the inside. We are able to put on the new man because God has placed Jesus Christ within us. We are to let Him work within us. That means we must give Him access to our memory banks and our past experiences that need to be relinquished.

Look again at Hebrews 4:12. The word “active” means “energize.” God’s Word energizes us for change. How? The apostle Paul says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

Yet transformation takes time. It is slow. Sometimes you focus so much on what you want to become you fail to see the progress. If you have ever grown fruit trees or berries you know what I mean.

At first some new growth appears on the plant, then a blossom turns into the fruit. Then the colors change. Although the fruit may have the right color, it is bitter if you pick it too soon. It has not become mature. You have to wait on it. Likewise, you have to wait on yourself.

As a child, perhaps you played a game called “Capture the Flag.” As adults, we need to engage in capturing our thoughts. Why? Because that is usually where negative feelings begin and communication problems start.

How can we capture our thoughts? By memorizing Scripture. What change do you need to make that will make a difference in your upcoming marriage? What thoughts would you like to be rid of today? Write them down.

Ask God to make you aware of when those thoughts pop into your mind. Write down the thoughts you would like to have in place of the old ones. Read them aloud several times a day. And watch out—it will put you on the road to change!