HOW DOES A MAN CHANGE?
How does a man who is easily offended become quite peaceable?
How does a man who is prone to speaking hurtful words become one who speaks gracious and uplifting words?
How does a man who once struggled with anger, pride, impatience, or selfishness become gentle, patient, and full of love?
First, he believes that he can change because Christ has made provision for his transformation. He must first believe that he is not condemned to remain the way he is. In Christ, he has become a new creation:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
The new birth gives him a new life, but he must yield himself to the work of the Holy Spirit. Transformation comes as his mind is renewed by the Word of God:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” — Romans 12:2
So, the easily offended man begins to learn how to bear with others and forgive:
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another…” — Colossians 3:13
The man who once spoke hurtful words learns to submit his tongue to the government of the Spirit:
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying…” — Ephesians 4:29
The angry man learns that God’s way is not to give free expression to his anger:
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” — James 1:19
And the man who once reacted according to his flesh learns to walk in the Spirit:
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16
But believing he can change is only the beginning. He must submit himself to the dealings of God. He allows the Word to expose what is wrong in him, and rather than defend himself, he receives correction and yields to the Holy Spirit.
A man changes when he stops merely trying to appear better and begins to allow Christ to be formed in him:
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” — Galatians 4:19
This transformation happens little by little, through obedience, choosing the way of Christ even when the flesh wants its own way.
Ultimately, a man changes as he continually beholds Christ, receives His Word, and cooperates with the work of the Holy Spirit:
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image…” — 2 Corinthians 3:18
The goal is not simply to become a “better person.” The goal is that Christ is formed in the man, until his words, reactions, relationships, and decisions begin to reveal the nature of the One who lives in him.
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” — Philippians 2:13
A man begins to change when he believes God can change him, submits to God’s dealings, renews his mind with the Word, walks in the Spirit, and continually beholds Christ. The life of Christ in him will eventually become evident in the character he expresses.
How does a man who is easily offended become quite peaceable?
How does a man who is prone to speaking hurtful words become one who speaks gracious and uplifting words?
How does a man who once struggled with anger, pride, impatience, or selfishness become gentle, patient, and full of love?
First, he believes that he can change because Christ has made provision for his transformation. He must first believe that he is not condemned to remain the way he is. In Christ, he has become a new creation:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
The new birth gives him a new life, but he must yield himself to the work of the Holy Spirit. Transformation comes as his mind is renewed by the Word of God:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” — Romans 12:2
So, the easily offended man begins to learn how to bear with others and forgive:
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another…” — Colossians 3:13
The man who once spoke hurtful words learns to submit his tongue to the government of the Spirit:
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying…” — Ephesians 4:29
The angry man learns that God’s way is not to give free expression to his anger:
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” — James 1:19
And the man who once reacted according to his flesh learns to walk in the Spirit:
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16
But believing he can change is only the beginning. He must submit himself to the dealings of God. He allows the Word to expose what is wrong in him, and rather than defend himself, he receives correction and yields to the Holy Spirit.
A man changes when he stops merely trying to appear better and begins to allow Christ to be formed in him:
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” — Galatians 4:19
This transformation happens little by little, through obedience, choosing the way of Christ even when the flesh wants its own way.
Ultimately, a man changes as he continually beholds Christ, receives His Word, and cooperates with the work of the Holy Spirit:
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image…” — 2 Corinthians 3:18
The goal is not simply to become a “better person.” The goal is that Christ is formed in the man, until his words, reactions, relationships, and decisions begin to reveal the nature of the One who lives in him.
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” — Philippians 2:13
A man begins to change when he believes God can change him, submits to God’s dealings, renews his mind with the Word, walks in the Spirit, and continually beholds Christ. The life of Christ in him will eventually become evident in the character he expresses.