2. Changing the Mind: A MAJOR Bible Theme. (John 8:12) Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (NKJV) (2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (NKJV)

3. Take Care of Yourself FIRST! (Matthew 7:3-5) "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (NKJV)

5. Humility: A Must (James 4:7-8) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double- minded. (James 4:10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

6. Steps to Repentance: #1 Develop a Healthy Sense of Shame (Genesis 2:25) And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (NKJV) (Genesis 3:7-8) Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. (NKJV)

7. “Repentance” (From #3349 metanoeo [met-an-o-eh'-o]) “Meta” meaning to change… + “noeo” means thinking. _______________________________________ = “change your mind; to exercise your thoughts in order to change your way of thinking”

8. “Repentance” (From #3349 metanoeo [met-an-o-eh'-o]) Luke 13:3 when he said, "…unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

9. Common Expressions: “It just happened!” “It just slipped out.” “I can’t change, I was just born that way.” “I’m a victim.”

10. Common Expressions: “It just happened!” “It just slipped out.” “I can’t change, I was just born that way.” “I’m a victim.”

11. Tips to Overcoming Temptation (An Illustration) Overcoming Smoking 20 min. - Blood pressure & pulse rate decrease; body temperature of your hands and feet increase. 8 hours - carbon monoxide level in your blood decreases to normal. 24 hours - your risk of having a heart attack decreases 48 hours - nerve endings start to regrow & the ability to smell and taste is enhanced.

12. Tips to Overcoming Temptation (An Illustration) Overcoming Smoking Between 2 weeks and 3 months, your circulation improves, walking becomes easier 1 to 9 months, you have significant improvement in lung function 1 year, risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack is reduced to half 5 and 15 years after quitting, your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.

13. Tips to Overcoming Temptation (An Illustration) Overcoming Smoking In 10 years, your risk of lung cancer drops 15 years, your risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack in similar to that of people who have never smoked

14. Tips to Overcoming Temptation (An Illustration) Overcoming Smoking Most cravings only last about 3-5 minutes from beginning to end. (If you can exercise self-control 3-5 min. you can win the war, one battle at a time.)

15. Repentance Illustrated Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

16. Be Accountable to Someone (James 5:16) Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (Galatians 6:1-2) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (NKJV)