How Does A Person Change?

Sunday Service February 5, 2012

How Does A Person Change? 

I want to be your best cheerleader for change.  You can do it!  You can make changes!  There is a clear path to change.  God is a change agent.  2 Cor. 5:17 says God intends to make you into a new creation.  Quote:  Change Is Possible Because God Is Faithful.  Say it with me:  Change Is Possible Because God Is Faithful.

But how does a person change?  Philippians 4:13,  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

1.        Make The Decision

How motivated are you to change.  Making up your mind is very important.  Change Must Be A Cognizant Process.  Change is something you need to intellectualize.  This is a thoughtful process to change based on God’s direction.

Philippians 4:7-8

2.        Start Making Switches

You have to change ingrained behaviors.  Many of those behaviors are attached to something else.

                           a.       Long held habits

b.      Things you were taught

c.       Self defense mechanisms

d.      Coping skills

e.      Things you enjoy

f.        Difficult situations that occurred In your life

g.       Circumstances that you have put yourself in

So what are the switches that I am talking about?

3.       You Need A Plan Or You Won’t Change

                                         a.      You need something to substitute

                                         b.      It’s important to Avoid activities that trigger the behavior you are trying to change.

II Timothy 2:22 says to Flee Youthful lusts.  God is in the mind renewal business all you have to do is provide Him the resources.  You may have to sever ties with old pals.  That’s hard but the question is; “How bad do you want to make change”?

                                          c.      Be ready for the expected difficulties

You make a lot of changes in your life even if they are just the ones that you are forced into. If you boss says change or go bye bye I bet you change.  So you have experience with the difficulties and they are expected.

                                          d.      Develop accountability

1 Cororthians 11:1

Paul said follow me as I follow Christ and He checked up on the progress.  That’s accountability.

Weekly Verse:  Romans 12:1-2

Ephesians 4:29 Getting Rid Of Bad Words

^{Ephesians 4:29} NIV says,  "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."  This is my number 1 live verse.  Although I may not be 100% there, this has been a relationship changing verse.  It is also one of the most challenging verses to apply.  It is an example of how much understanding the Bible can change your life and how much it applies to daily living.  This verse breaks down into a few practical life changing points:

-  Don't let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth regarding another person.
-  Only say what will build them up according to what they need.
I have an unending number of opportunities to apply this verse every day.  Each time I do it, I get better and I help others and I improve my relationship with them.  In a world where much of life is about me, this verse reminds me that God wants it to be about others and He wants me to use the words that come out of my mouth for some good.