In this post, I'll cover what the first two responses mean to the Change quiz: "I don't want to change" and "I don't believe I can change."
First, let's review "I don't want to change."
To solve any problem, you must recognize first that you have one. That is why this answer to the Change quiz doesn't count.
If a person refuses to see that they have a problem, then there isn't much you can do for them from a Christian perspective except to pray that the Lord opens their blinded eyes.
For change to happen, desire must be present. Desire has to come from within.
The next answer was "I don't believe I can change." Typically, that response comes from discouragement; the person has tried to change multiple times but they have labeled their past attempts as failures.
As a result, they've concluded that their past experience must mean that their present and future will be more of the same.
And so they are afraid to try again.
To move from this level, you need to get a different spirit.
You see, it is perfectly normal for a person of the world to operate in unbelief in this area because all they see are the circumstances around them.
You see, a person of the world only has themselves to depend on when it comes to change.
Plus, they are stuck at their past experience.
However, as children of God, we have the ability to see with Spiritual eyes, into the future that is possible with God's help.
He invites us to come to the throne of grace to receive refreshment, revival, wisdom and courage to do everything that He calls to do.
Here is a scripture that proves that change is possible in Romans 12:2:
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."
God would not write in his Word that we are to be transformed if it were not possible with the Holy Spirit's help.
"Yes," you might say, "but change is not possible for ME."
Excuse me? I don't recall this Scripture ending with "...except for___(fill in your name)."
Can you say that change is impossible without looking at your past?
Your future does not have to be the same as your past! You are not stuck in your past.
With God, all things are possible. You can change with His help.
Another objection to believing this Scripture could be true is, "But you don't know all the things that I've been through!"
It is true that I don't, but God does. Do you think that your situation is too hard for him?
Remember, you serve the same God who:
- Parted the Red Sea
- Brought new life to barren wombs
- Helped His people defeat countless enemies
- Restored sight to blinded eyes
- Made the lame walk
- Raised people from the dead
Surely He can help you with your eating problem.
The real question is: Will you do the work of renewing your mind and doing what God calls you to do?
Refusing to believe that God can help you is the same as denying His power.
The apostle Paul had a warning for those in this state.
In 2 Timothy 3:5-7, he described people who deny God's power:
...having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
The second scriptural proof that you can change is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13:
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
While the first Scripture speaks to the ability to have your heart and mind changed, this scripture speaks of the ability to change your actions.
With every temptation, we are promised that God himself makes a way for us to escape.
But if you don't believe that an escape route is there, you will not even look for one.
Just imagine being in a burning building and having a window or door available for you to escape to safety.
But because you believe that the door or window couldn't possibly be there, then you ignore their presence, sit down, and resign yourself to perishing in the fire!
"Wait", you might say, "the temptations that I deal with are incredibly strong. Nobody knows how hard this is."
Yes, it can be hard. But you are not alone. Remember, temptation is common to man; even Jesus Christ in his earthly body was tempted (Luke 4:1-13)!
And get this, even when He successfully combated Satan's temptations with Scripture, the temptations were not over.
"Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time."
- Luke 4:13
The devil continued to look for opportunities to tempt Jesus and that Jesus had to continue to battle him with God's word.
I still have to deal with temptations and so does everyone else who answered "I've changed and it's part of my life."
While I am not perfect in combating temptations like Jesus was, I am determined to take up my arms and fight them.
Jesus did not die for us to give up without a fight!
Finally, you might say, "I know what the Bible says, but I just don't feel like changing."
In that case, you have chosen to elevate your feelings above God's word.
That puts your real mental state back at answer zero (0): " I don't want to change."
In that case, prayer is the answer for a heart change.
I am going to end this with a quote by the late pastor, Charles Spurgeon. Perhaps his words will convince you about the seriousness of the state:
" It is a very easy thing for us to get into a desponding state of heart, and to mistrust the promises and faithfulness of God, and yet, all the while, to look upon ourselves as the subjects of a disease which we cannot help, and even to claim pity at the hands of our fellow-men, and to think that they should condole with us, and try to cheer us.
It will be far wiser for each one of us to feel, 'This unbelief of mine is a great wrong in the sight of God. He has never given me any occasion for it, and I am doing him a cruel injustice by thus doubting him. I must not idly sit down, and say, This has come upon me like a fever, or a paralysis, which I cannot help; but I must rather say, This is a great sin, in which I must no longer indulge; but I must confess my unbelief..."
Today, ask the Lord to help you with your unbelief. Ask him to open your eyes so that you may see his deliverance right in front of you and restore your hope.
Ask him to help you move forward to the next stage, which is "I'm thinking about changing."
Kimberly Taylor
Author of the Take Back Your Temple program