In Ephesians 4:22-24 I read, “So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.” (GNT)
Although God could instantly transform me, he has chosen to develop me slowly.
This is how I see him work throughout the Bible. God allowed the Israelites to take over the Promised Land “little by little” so they wouldn’t be overwhelmed (Deuteronomy 7:22). Jesus was deliberate in developing his disciples. In the same way, God prefers to work in incremental steps in my life.
Why does it take so long to change and grow up? There are several reasons:
I’m a slow learner. People, including myself, often need to relearn a lesson 40 or 50 times to really get it. The problems keep recurring, and I think, “Not again! I’ve already learned that!” But God knows better. The history of Israel illustrates how quickly we forget the lessons God teaches us and how soon we revert to our old patterns of behavior. We need repeated exposure.
I have a lot to unlearn. Since most of my problems, and all of my bad habits, didn’t develop overnight, it’s unrealistic to expect them to go away immediately. There is no pill, prayer, or principle that will instantly undo the damage of many years. It requires the hard work of removal and replacement. The Bible calls it “taking off the old self” and “putting on the new self” (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:7-10, 14).
Growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without change, no change without fear or loss, and no loss without pain. Every change involves a loss of some kind. Other’s, including myself, fear these losses. Even if my old ways were self-defeating, they were at least comfortable and familiar, like a worn-out pair of shoes.
Good habits take time to develop. My character is the sum total of my habits. I can’t claim to be kind unless I am habitually kind. My habits define my character.
There is only one way to develop the habits of Christlike character: I must practice them, and that takes time! There are no instant habits. Paul urged Timothy, “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15 GW).
In summary, I am to get rid of my old self, which made me live as I did before. My old self was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. My heart and mind must be made completely new, and I must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and revealed in a true life that is upright and holy. Although God could instantly transform me, he has chosen to develop me slowly. God prefers to work in incremental steps in my life. There are several reasons: First, I’m a slow learner. I often need to relearn a lesson 40 or 50 times to really get it. The history of Israel illustrates how quickly we forget the lessons God teaches us and how soon we revert to our old patterns of behavior. I need repeated exposure. Secondly, I have a lot to unlearn. Since most of my problems, and all of my bad habits, didn’t develop overnight, it’s unrealistic to expect them to go away immediately. It will require the hard work of removal and replacement. The Bible calls this “taking off the old self” and “putting on the new self.” Thirdly, growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without change, no change without fear or loss, and no loss without pain. Every change involves a loss of some kind. I fear these losses. Even if my old ways were self-defeating, they were at least comfortable and familiar. Lastly, good habits take time to develop. My character is the sum total of my habits. I can’t claim to be kind unless I am habitually kind. My habits define my character. To develop the habits of Christlike character: I must practice them, and that takes time! There is no such thing as instant habits.
My old way of life before I believed in Christ is completely in the past. I should put it behind me like old clothes to be thrown away. When I decided to accept Christ's gift of salvation, it was a one-for-all-time decision along with daily conscious commitments. I am not to be driven by desire and impulse. I must put on a new nature, head in a new direction, and have a new way of thinking that the Holy Spirit gives me.
Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me.
Father, help me to realize that you are taking me through a process that often needs repeating, involves some pain, and is a process that will take time to develop as I practice it.
Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in my new job. I pray all these things through you Son Jesus’ name, Amen.
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