Change is something that people constantly want but experience the least.
The inability to change causes depression and a give-up attitude in life and creates the idea of this is what it is, what you see is what you get, why try and complacent. But the failure to change also causes personal and spiritual frustration.
Now, why am I talking about this in a sermon? The reason is that through my experience, I have noticed that failure and the inability to live disciplined lives affect our health, professional, and spiritual lives.
Change is held back by two things:
The need for self-gratification
Ephesians 2:1-3: And you He made alive, when you were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
- We may inherit them
- We may have learned them
- We may feel pressured by society
The interesting thing is how little effect knowledge has on self-indulgence.
From the prior verse, we’ve learned that Spiritual death has a lot to do with self-indulgence.
1 Timothy 5:6
6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.
Sinful nature only wants to destroy, destroy you, your health, your finances, your marriage, your profession.
In fact, self-indulgence has the goal of getting you to hate what God has created with the Goal of perfect joy and that’s you.
Homosexuality presents this issue; the person feels that since he or she desires someone of the same sex that it makes it right. No, if you desire someone of the same sex, it just means that something has gone wrong and it needs to get fixed because homosexuality is a rebellion against what God made us.
Self-indulgence has to do with depression, not liking yourself, and never accomplishing anything. Here’s why self-indulgence constantly runs contrary to the knowledge of what’s right and contrary to the goals that God has for us.
Galatians 5:16: I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
So how do we fight self-indulgence?
- Being spiritually alive
- Be around people who live disciplined lives.
- Listen to parents
- Live by knowledge, not by feelings
How does your mind work?
Complacency
That your past controls your future
That you are the maker of your life
That you are a result
That you are a victim
That the world is against you
That you are the result of a God who has a magnificent plan for you.
Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 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.
Colossians 3:2-4
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Conclusion
So, change has to do with how you live your whole life, not just part of your life.
Change has to do with who is in charge.
Change has to do with WHY you want to change.
A Change Is Gonna Come Song Lyrics
I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh and just like the river, I’ve been running ever since
It’s been a long time, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
It’s been too hard livin’, but I’m afraid to die
‘Cause I don’t know what’s up there, beyond the sky
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep tellin’ me don’t hang around
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
Then I go to my brother
And I say brother help me please
But he winds up knockin’ me
Back down on my knees, oh
There have been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long
But now I think I’m able to carry on
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will
