Change Begins Within

There is a stirring in people’s hearts everywhere, a real hunger for change. Everyone wants to change in one way or another. Some the way they look, others the way they live, the problems in their life, their relationships, or their health. There’s no lack of desire for change, but for most people, there is no clear path or way forward. We often try to change the outward effects of the things we don’t like but fail to address the root causes. Genuine, lasting change must begin within.

Reject the “Status quo”

We naturally seek pleasure and avoid pain. But sometimes, our efforts to escape our pain can lead us to more trouble. Our circumstances can feel overwhelming and impossible, so we turn to things we think will help us deal with our feelings. To truly change, we need to shift how we see our challenges and circumstances. We must become dissatisfied with how things are and reject the status quo. Nothing will change until the pain of remaining the same is worse than the pain of change.

Change is a Choice

Every change begins with a decision. Change begins within, but you must do your part for the shift to start. It takes our participation because God will not do something in you or for you without your participation. God has a plan, purpose, and destiny for us, but we cannot get what God has for us or go where He wants to take us if we have a faulty mindset. We must get His word in us and take ownership of it. We must meditate on it, speak it, and practice it. In scripture, we see an example of this in Joshua 1:8.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” – Joshua 1:8(NKJV)

Before anything changed in Joshua’s circumstances, God had him change what he was thinking about and meditating on. This scripture demonstrates a fundamental principle of change—it starts with our thoughts and words.

Develop New Mindset and Transformed Life

God wants us to take on the mindset that He created us with. You must develop a new perspective—a new outlook on the pain, adversity, and daily struggles you may face. God has a path for your life, but you can hinder His plan and purpose for you with the wrong thoughts, views of yourself, relationships, and people around you.

We must redefine success and change what we think and say. The word of God must be in our minds and spoken from our lips for every situation or challenge we face. Your tongue authorizes what you say to happen in your life. What you say out of your mouth, your words, you give the authority to be in your life (Proverbs 18:21).

Your thoughts and words matter. How you define and describe yourself controls what is allowed in your life and your actions. When you change your thinking, you will change your speaking, leading to a change in action (Proverbs 23:7). Let the word of God be the filter for your thoughts, words, and beliefs about yourself. Do not let culture or what everyone around you is doing or saying influence how you respond and what you do; stand on the word of God.

Pattern Your Life After God

In our walk with God, we must focus on inner transformation and aligning our thoughts and lives with biblical principles. We must pattern our lives after God and His word. What is on the outside of you doesn’t mean anything to God because He is looking at what is inside of you, your heart. Until you get right on the inside, what you see on the outside doesn’t matter. Genuine internal change is what God seeks in us, not merely a change in outward appearances.

Allow God to work inside you to bring the best out of you. He wants the best out of you and is performing a good work within you from the inside out. God is not trying to change your clothes; He is trying to change what your clothes are covering, the inner you.

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” – Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

God is transforming us within, but we are assigned to work on ourselves. Our spiritual growth involves active participation. We must self-reflect and control our thoughts, aligning them with God’s word. We are given the assignment and responsibility to work on ourselves and control our thoughts. To be intentional in making changes that drive us closer to God. Making deliberate changes that draw us closer to God is crucial. It’s not enough to simply profess faith; action and change are necessary.

Personal Responsibility in Spiritual Growth

You cannot just come to Jesus and do nothing. You have to change some things in yourself and your life. We are called to repent, and repentance is turning away from our wrongdoings and changing our behavior. When you repent, you make a U-turn because you realize you are heading in the wrong direction. It is a requirement for entering the kingdom of God.

You are responsible for what you allow in your mind, heart, and environment. Seek to renew your mind with the word of God. Immerse yourself in God’s word. Romans 12:2 urges us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” This transformation allows us to discern and embrace God’s will.

“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.” – Romans 12:2

Let your values be rooted in the word of God and not swayed by worldly influences. Make God the center of your life. Your relationship with God should grow every day. When you feel like it and when you don’t. Take up your cross and follow Jesus. Pray and seek Him every day. God wants you to be changed from within so you can change your surroundings.

 

The information expressed above is excerpted from the sermon ” Change Begins Within” by Dr. Lee A. Simpson. You can listen to the complete sermon on our YouTube channel.