Psychological change requires behavioral change

When attending a funeral, it is common to hear that the deceased was a good person. Even if we know the person’s flaws and bad tendencies, we still hope that he or she changed at the last moment. Funeral eulogies turn devils into angels and demons into saints. This is because we want to believe that the person in the coffin has gotten rid of his or her bad habits and changed his or her character.

Mental transformation, an impossible task.

There is no way to go from who you are now to who you want to be, or who you need to be.

In describing the difficult process of change, Jeremiah posed a question: “Can an Ethiopian change his skin, or a leopard his spots? Or can you do good, you who are accustomed to doing evil?” (Jeremiah 13:23)

One of the main reasons change is difficult is that we are not ready or willing to change. We may be content with the status quo or even afraid to step into the unknown. As long as our current situation brings us comfort and security, change will be difficult (Dr. Theo Tsaousides).

Change is hard! And the biggest enemy of growth is comfort.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23-24)

Jesus spoke of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19. This man wanted eternal life. He wanted to live forever. He desired the health benefits, happiness, and glory that would come with eternal salvation. But he refused, or he was unable to make the necessary changes to receive that priceless gift.

It was a gift worth more than all his possessions. This rich man had grown up believing Isaiah 65: God would create a new heaven and a new earth, where suffering, crime, and violence would be a thing of the past, and he would never get sick again. But changing his lifestyle from passive love to active love was too much.

So, Jesus said, it is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.

25 When the disciples heard this, they were amazed and asked, “Then who can be saved?”

Notice that the disciples were not wealthy themselves, so they concluded that Jesus was not just referring to the wealthy. They knew that Jesus was speaking to all people who had property.

Therefore, unless we change our perspective and no longer value what we have here, we will all lose heaven and eternal life. And the disciples believed that such a change was impossible.

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

There is a path to change.

In Christianity, changing or transforming one’s mind is often associated with spiritual growth and alignment with God’s will, which is expected of Christians:

Solomon expected human growth. He said the path of righteousness keeps moving forward. Paul expected change: he exhorted us to become spiritually mature within. Jesus expected growth, calling his followers to go from fishers of men to fishers of men. He said you must be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Yet, if human transformation is as difficult as an animal changing the color pattern of its fur or a human changing the color of his or her skin, then how can we transform from a mind and character filled with sin to one that represents the character of a righteous God?

The blood of Jesus, a transforming agent.

The first is to draw on the blood of Jesus: Hebrews 9:14, How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, cleanse your consciences from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 13:12, So Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, that he might sanctify the people by his blood.

Good habits inspire change.

When the mind is hard to mobilize, train the body and the mind will follow. Good habits can bring more transformation than any mental exercise.

Bible Study: Regular reading and meditation on the Bible helps Christians align their thoughts with God’s truth. David said, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). This emphasizes the importance of internalizing God’s word to avoid sin and live a righteous life.

Prayer: Prayer is a way for Christians to communicate with God, seek His guidance, and receive His peace. Philippians 4:6-7 talks about making requests to God through prayer, which results in the peace of God guarding one’s heart. They say the people you associate with influence your character – and connecting with God through daily communication with Him is the best influence to expect.

A meaningful transformational experience

Mediation Structure: Exposure to wholesome experiences will determine your level of justice.

Community and Fellowship:

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to incite one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting the gathering together of ourselves, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Obey God: Obeying God’s commands helps to shape a person’s mind and character.

James 1:22-25: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For anyone who is a hearer of the word and not a doer is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes away and immediately forgets what kind of person he looks like. But he who looks into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it, this one, being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, will be blessed in what he does.

Words have the power to change us only if we practice them.

Reflection, a measure of transformation.

Understand the areas of necessary growth needed: where you are in your Christian journey, and where you need to be.

Mindfulness and Reflection: Regular self-reflection and mindfulness of one’s thoughts and actions helps align the mind with a Christlike perspective, according to God’s teachings. 2 Corinthians 10:5 encourages people to take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Renew your mind: Romans 12:2 emphasizes the renewal of your mind, encouraging believers not to conform to the pattern of this world but to be transformed by the renewal of their minds. This involves a shift in thinking from worldly values ​​to divine values. Know the difference between your participation in what Jesus called “the worries of this world.”

As we close this message, can you think of three character flaws that you would like to modify or change right now? Could better fellowship help change them? Could more consistent intake of God’s Word facilitate this change? Could intentional and frequent consultation with God in prayer change these flaws?

Through these practices, Christians seek to develop a heart that reflects God’s love, wisdom, and holiness, leading to a life of transformation and spiritual maturity.