There is no improvement except through change. That applies to our physical being and our spiritual being. Change does not happen overnight. It is a process. First we must stop blaming the devil for everything that happens in our life. The scripture tells us we have power over the enemy. It is our choice to give it to him. Secondly God does not force us to do right or wrong, we get to choose.
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
We also have the choice to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and receive salvation. It is a free gift, we are not saved by our works but once we are saved, God expects us to be working. We are supposed to be the light in a dark world! We can be the light, or we can stay in the darkness. This too is our choice.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
After we receive salvation, it takes a renewing of the mind to live in this world and not be a part of its darkness. The change starts within. Sometimes we can lose our momentum. Meditating on the scriptures encourages us in our pursuit of change and lets us know we are heading in the right direction. We must evaluate our attitudes. (Philippians 2:14-15, Philippians 2:5-6)) First of all do you have the desire to change? (Romans 12:1-2). Are you pleasing God or are you more concerned with pleasing yourself and people? (1 Thessalonians 2:4, John 5:30). Is your faith stronger than your fear? (Matthew 21:21). Do you know your purpose and are you actively working on it? (Romans 8:28, Proverbs 16:3). Are you living one day at a time, or are you allowing yesterdays and tomorrow’s troubles sap you of today’s strength? (Matthew 6:34). Are you working on your thought patterns? That which holds our attention determines our actions. Are you thinking about the right things? (Philippians 4:8). Are you repeatedly acting on positive habits to overcome negative ones? (Deuteronomy 6:5-9) Are you associating with people who will help or hinder your walk with Christ? (James 4:4, Philippians 4:9). Are you receiving daily strength from God’s Word? (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Are you praying daily and specifically about your attitude? (James 5:16). Are you continually in tuned with the Holy Spirit? (1 John 4:4, Joshua 1:8)). He is our helper. We cannot change on our own.
“Put off your old self which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16)
I urge you to study and meditate on the scriptures above. Only when we stay connected to Jesus and His Word, will we begin to think, and act like Him. Spending time in His presence is how we become the light in a world of darkness. The choice is yours. Love and Blessings…
EMMANUEL 