“Be Transformed” Romans 12:2

Through Christ we can become new people, holy people, if we are willing to change! 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10

The Need for Change Change is one of the most difficult tasks we face as Christians. Change is one of the most difficult tasks we face as Christians. All of us have behaviors and practices that we have developed in disobedience to God’s word (Eph. 2:1-3). All of us have behaviors and practices that we have developed in disobedience to God’s word (Eph. 2:1-3). All sin, no matter how much a part of us it has become, has the power to keep us out of heaven (1 John 3:3-6, 8). All sin, no matter how much a part of us it has become, has the power to keep us out of heaven (1 John 3:3-6, 8).

The Need for Change In order to follow Christ we must learn to deny ourselves (Matthew 16:24-25). In order to follow Christ we must learn to deny ourselves (Matthew 16:24-25). This requires some sacrifice on our part: This requires some sacrifice on our part: Giving up those things which are wrong, no matter how important they once were to us. Giving up those things which are wrong, no matter how important they once were to us. Putting on those things which are good and right. Putting on those things which are good and right. Those who are not willing to make changes in their lives according to God’s word cannot please God. Those who are not willing to make changes in their lives according to God’s word cannot please God.

The Sin of Not Changing Matthew 7:21-23: Those who do not do the will of God. Matthew 7:21-23: Those who do not do the will of God. Hebrews 10:26-29: Those who live in sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth. Hebrews 10:26-29: Those who live in sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth. Ezek. 33:30-33: Jerusalem was destroyed because, even though Judah gladly received the word of God, they did not act upon it. Ezek. 33:30-33: Jerusalem was destroyed because, even though Judah gladly received the word of God, they did not act upon it.

The Sin of Not Changing So long as we continue to live the way we are, we cannot be saved. So long as we continue to live the way we are, we cannot be saved. God has done His part by sending His Son and giving us the gospel. God has done His part by sending His Son and giving us the gospel. Now we must do our part by living in obedience to that gospel. Now we must do our part by living in obedience to that gospel. This requires that we make some changes in our lives (Hebrews 6:9, 11-12). This requires that we make some changes in our lives (Hebrews 6:9, 11-12).

How to Change Many have tried to make changes and failed. Many have tried to make changes and failed. Some have developed the idea that they will never be able to overcome. Some have developed the idea that they will never be able to overcome. Some have decided they don’t want to give up what they are doing. That is what they have always done, that is what they will continue to do. Some have decided they don’t want to give up what they are doing. That is what they have always done, that is what they will continue to do. How can we change something as stubborn as sin? How can we change something as stubborn as sin? God gives us the tools we need in the scriptures. God gives us the tools we need in the scriptures.

How to Change To begin with, God shows us what is right and what is wrong. This is our foundation for making our way right (Psalm 119:9-12). To begin with, God shows us what is right and what is wrong. This is our foundation for making our way right (Psalm 119:9-12). Only when we learn God’s word in an effort to do it can we truly “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Only when we learn God’s word in an effort to do it can we truly “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” How do we put this to work in our lives? How do we put this to work in our lives?

How to Change Desire If we are going to make any changes in our lives, we have to want it. If we are going to make any changes in our lives, we have to want it. We have to make a choice as to what we desire more—righteousness or condemnation. We have to make a choice as to what we desire more—righteousness or condemnation. Our salvation is by choice, as is our service to God. Our salvation is by choice, as is our service to God. What made Moses such a successful servant of God? He made a choice! Hebrews 11: What made Moses such a successful servant of God? He made a choice! Hebrews 11:24-26.

How to Change Desire The thing that prevents many people from overcoming sin is that they still desire the sin (James1:14-15). The thing that prevents many people from overcoming sin is that they still desire the sin (James1:14-15). Therefore we must change our desires: Therefore we must change our desires: By learning the true nature of sin. By learning the true nature of sin. By learning to love the good and hate the bad. By learning to love the good and hate the bad. Rom. 12:9: “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” Rom. 12:9: “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”

How to Change Desire The thing that prevents many people from overcoming sin is that they still desire the sin (James1:14-15). The thing that prevents many people from overcoming sin is that they still desire the sin (James1:14-15). Therefore we must learn to “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” Therefore we must learn to “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”

How to Change Desire Learn to set our desires on things that are good. Learn to set our desires on things that are good. Desire the scripture more that a bad movie. Desire the scripture more that a bad movie. Desire truth more than a lie. Desire truth more than a lie. Desire faith more than anxiety. Desire faith more than anxiety. Desire fellowship and worship more than the game. Desire fellowship and worship more than the game. Desire righteousness and good works more than smoking, drinking, carousing, etc. Desire righteousness and good works more than smoking, drinking, carousing, etc.

How to Change Desire If we desire it enough to seek it, God has promised that we will find it (Matthew 7:7-8). If we desire it enough to seek it, God has promised that we will find it (Matthew 7:7-8). If we ask it will be given. If we ask it will be given. If we seek we will find. If we seek we will find. If we knock it will be open If we knock it will be open This progression shows a growing desire and effort that is needed for overcoming sin. This progression shows a growing desire and effort that is needed for overcoming sin. Soon a simple desire to do better will become unwavering determination to conquer. Soon a simple desire to do better will become unwavering determination to conquer.

How to Change Call Sin for What it Is Some who have the desire cannot see clearly. Some who have the desire cannot see clearly. Sin is deceptive, it blinds us to its true nature (Revelation 3:17; 2 Cor. 11:14). Sin is deceptive, it blinds us to its true nature (Revelation 3:17; 2 Cor. 11:14). When we practice sin long enough our consciences become seared so that it does not feel wrong any more (1 Tim. 4:2). When we practice sin long enough our consciences become seared so that it does not feel wrong any more (1 Tim. 4:2).

How to Change Call Sin for What it Is Through the scriptures God is able to help us see clearly (Eph. 4:17-24). Through the scriptures God is able to help us see clearly (Eph. 4:17-24). Like putting on a pair of glasses. Like putting on a pair of glasses. Like seeing ourselves in a mirror for the first time (James 1:22-25). Like seeing ourselves in a mirror for the first time (James 1:22-25). We are able to see sin for what it really is. We are able to see sin for what it really is. Sometimes, we see things in our lives that we don’t want to see. Sometimes, we see things in our lives that we don’t want to see. Many people are reluctant to admit it. Many people are reluctant to admit it. Many people deny it. Many people deny it.

How to Change Call Sin for What it Is If we are going to make the proper changes in our lives then we need to be honest with ourselves. If we are going to make the proper changes in our lives then we need to be honest with ourselves. We must call sin for what it is! We must call sin for what it is! Lawlessness (1 John 3:4). Lawlessness (1 John 3:4). Wickedness (James 1:21). Wickedness (James 1:21). Rebellion (Jude 11). Rebellion (Jude 11).

How to Change Call Sin for What it Is When we acknowledge the true nature of our sins then we can develop the right attitude toward them. When we acknowledge the true nature of our sins then we can develop the right attitude toward them. Psalm 101:3-4: “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.” Psalm 101:3-4: “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.” Here again we are renewing our minds concerning the way we think about sin. Here again we are renewing our minds concerning the way we think about sin.

How to Change Cast Sin Away Like discarding a filthy, stained garment we must cast sin away. Like discarding a filthy, stained garment we must cast sin away. Rom. 6:6: “…knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with…” Rom. 6:6: “…knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with…” Not gently set aside, but put off (strip off, despoil, disarm)! Not gently set aside, but put off (strip off, despoil, disarm)! Not gradually work it out, but put to death! Not gradually work it out, but put to death! See the urgency in this. See the urgency in this.

How to Change Cast Sin Away Some take the gradual approach. Some take the gradual approach. Overcoming sin is gradual enough with our making even slower. Overcoming sin is gradual enough with our making even slower. If we move too slow we begin to get comfortable. If we move too slow we begin to get comfortable. We may improve, but not all the way. We may improve, but not all the way. We begin to feel that we have done good enough when in fact we still have sin in our lives. We begin to feel that we have done good enough when in fact we still have sin in our lives.

How to Change Cast Sin Away Overcoming sin requires diligent determination. Overcoming sin requires diligent determination. It requires immediate change. It requires immediate change. Understand that we may not succeed the first or second time. Understand that we may not succeed the first or second time. But we must continue to put all or our effort into. But we must continue to put all or our effort into. Then, as we struggle, we will become stronger. Then, as we struggle, we will become stronger.

How to Change Replace the Evil with the Good Casting sin away: easier said than done, right? Casting sin away: easier said than done, right? Remember, change is difficult (Matt. 7:13). Remember, change is difficult (Matt. 7:13). The key is not be idle. The key is not be idle. Don’t just stop smoking, do something productive. Don’t just stop smoking, do something productive. Don’t just stop partying and drinking, replace it with something good and wholesome. Don’t just stop partying and drinking, replace it with something good and wholesome. Planning things during church services? Rearrange your schedule so that you can make it to every service. Planning things during church services? Rearrange your schedule so that you can make it to every service.

How to Change Replace the Evil with the Good Matt. 12:43-45 Matt. 12:43-45 Eph. 4:22-24 Eph. 4:22-24 Gal. 5:19-26 Gal. 5:19-26

How to Change Remember the Benefits With every sacrifice come rewards With every sacrifice come rewards 1 Cor. 15:58 1 Cor. 15:58 When we change our lives for the better, not only will we have the hope of eternal life, but the quality of our life on this earth will see drastic improvements as well. When we change our lives for the better, not only will we have the hope of eternal life, but the quality of our life on this earth will see drastic improvements as well.