Change is absolutely essential in the life of a believer.

God calls us to make the ultimate change by giving up our pride and trusting Christ.

Once we have yielded to Christ, we are called to participate with God in our sanctification as we grow more and more like Christ. Our desire to become like Christ demands change on our part.

How do we change? While life change demands many essential decisions, here are three which we must have.

First, seek the truth.

You can never change if you believe lies.

What are some of the lies we must not believe? We must not fall to the temptation of believing we are fine and don’t need to change.

In family counseling, I see this often. Parents do not acknowledge their need to change in order to help a wayward child. A spouse will believe the same thing. Instead of accepting part of the responsibility for a failing marriage, one spouse refuses to see the truth.

In theological matters, we must seek and live the truth. If we worship a false god or believe a faulty theology, we can never really experience lasting change.

Second, decide to change.

Change can only come when we decide to make lasting changes. Paul told the church at Ephesus to “put off” the old self and “put on” the new self. Both tenses of the verb call for a “once and for all” decision to reject the old man and embrace the new man.

Third, reinforce your decision every day.

Sandwiched between Paul’s call to “put off” and “put on” is the call to day by day renew your inner spirit. The verb tense calls for a recurring renewal of spirit and attitude. Change only comes when we reinforce the decision each day.

This feeding of the mind, spirit, and attitude comes in a variety of ways: positive and believing prayer, reading and study of Scripture, and the encouragement of the body of Christ.

Do these things and you will receive the blessing of being in close proximity with God everyday.

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