Why Are Some Shortcomings in My Life Are So Hard to Change?

• Because I’ve had them for a ________ ________

• Because __________________ with them

• Because my patterns have a __________________

• Because Satan ________________________ me

Four Biblical Principles for Lasting Change

Ephesians 4:21-27 – 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy. 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil. (New Living Translation)

1. Lasting change requires learning and facing the _______

Proverbs 23:23 – Learn the truth and never reject it. . . . (New Century Version)

Isaiah 30:10 – They tell the prophets to keep quiet. They say, “Don’t talk to us about what’s right. Tell us what we want to hear. Let us keep our illusions.” (Good News Bible)

John 3:11 – [Jesus tells Nicodemus] “Listen carefully. I’m speaking sober truth to you. . . . Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions.” (The Message)

1 John 1:8 – If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. (New Living Translation, 1st ed.)

Ephesians 4:15 – Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, . . . (Contemporary English Version)

John 17:17 – Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (New Revised Standard Version)

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (New Living Translation)

2. Lasting change requires new _______________

Ephesians 4:23 – Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. (New Living Translation)

Philippians 2:5 – In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus. (New Century Version)

3. Lasting change requires ________________________ and __________________

Ephesians 4:25 – So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body. (New Century Version)

Proverbs 28:13 – You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you. (Good News Bible)

Galatians 6:2 – By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ. (New Century Version)

4. Lasting change requires the __________ __________

Zechariah 4:6 – . . . This is the word of the Lord . . . : ‘You will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord All-Powerful. (New Century Version)

2 Corinthians 3:18 – . . . And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him. (The Living Bible)