REVIEWING THE ROAD THUS FAR

V oluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my CHARACTER DEFECTS.

•           “Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him … and let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.” Rom. 12:1–2 (GNB)

I. WHERE DO MY CHARACTER DEFECTS COME FROM?

• My CHROMOSOMES: Genetics explain predisposition but don’t excuse sin!

• My CIRCUMSTANCES: Character defects are often attempts to fill unmet needs.

• My CHOICES: Character defects are often positive qualities being misused.

II. WHY IS IT SO HARD TO CHANGE THEM?

1. Because I’ve had them SO LONG.

2. Because I IDENTIFY with them.

3. Because they have a PAYOFF.

4. Because SATAN discourages me.

III. HOW DO I COOPERATE WITH GOD’S CHANGE PROCESS?

•           “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom. 12:2

1.         Focus on changing ONE DEFECT at a time.

•           “An intelligent person aims at wise action, but a fool starts off in many directions.” Prov. 17:24

2.         Focus on victory ONE DAY at a time.

•           “Give us this day our daily bread” Matt. 6:11

•           “Don’t worry about tomorrow, each day has enough troubles of its own.” Matt. 6:34

3.         Focus on GOD’S POWER not willpower

•           “Can a leopard take away his spots? Nor can you who are used to doing evil now start being good.” Jer. 12:23 (TLB)

•           BUT… “I can master anything with the help of Christ who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13 (JB)

4.         Focus on what I WANT, not what I DON’T WANT.

•           “Fix your thought on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure … Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about …” Phil. 4:8 (TLB)

5.         Focus on DOING good, not FEELING good.

•           “If you are guided by the Spirit you will be in no danger of yielding to self-indulgence.” Gal. 5:16 (JB)

6.         Focus on PEOPLE who help me, not hinder me.

•           “As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other.” Prov. 27:1 (NCV)

7.         Focus on PROGRESS not PERFECTION.

•           “God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task with you is finally finished.” Phil. 1:6