Practical Steps For Achieving Biblical Change

Introduction

Making Biblical changes in your life requires prayerful and purposeful action (based on Matthew 7:24-25; Romans 6:12-13; Colossians 3:5-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Titus 2:11-12; James 1:22-25).

Respond Immediately to Your Need for Biblical Change

(Psalm 37:27; Proverbs 3:5-8; Romans 6:1-4; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:5-14; Titus 2:11-12; James 1:22-25)

Ask God for wisdom (James 1:5).

Be subject to (place yourself under the control of) the Holy Spirit, who dwells within you (John 14:15-18, 26; Romans 8:9-11; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18).

Conduct a thorough self-evaluation and make a list of all the ways you have failed to think, speak, and act in a Biblical manner. These are your “put-offs” as identified by God in His Word (for example: Romans 6:12-14; Ephesians 4:25-31; Colossians 3:8-9).

Confess these unbiblical deeds (thoughts, words, and actions) to the Lord (based on Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:31; 1 John 1:9).

Make a list of the Biblical “put-ons” that are to replace your unbiblical thoughts, words, and actions (based on Romans 6:19; Ephesians 4:25, 28-29, 32; Colossians 3:10, 12-17; 2 Peter 1:5-8).

Develop a basic plan for living a changed life on a daily basis. Your basic plan should list specific steps by which your sinful “put-offs” are replaced by Biblical “put-ons” (based on Ephesians 2:10; 4:1, 25-32; Colossians 2:6, 3:1-17) and should include:

Prayer (Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17);

Study of Scripture, especially to find out how God’s Word relates to changes necessary in your life (2 Timothy 2:15);

Scripture memory, which should be focused on God’s answers to the temptation(s) in which you are prone to sin (Psalm 119:11);

Avoidance of all forms (i.e., the appearance) of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22);

Obedience to God in all things (Matthew 7:24; John 14:15; 1 John 5:3) instead of pleasing “self” by gratifying fleshly desires (Galatians 5:16-17; 2 Timothy 2:22; Titus 2:12);

Consistent and faithful fellowship, worship, and ministry in the local church (Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Peter 4:10); and

Continual Biblical self-evaluation (Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:31) dealing with thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8-9; Colossians 3:1-2), words (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6), and actions (Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:10). In Biblically evaluating your thoughts, words, or actions in any situation, answer the following questions. You should memorize both the questions and the referenced verses.

Is this profitable (in other words, does the contribute toward the development of godly traits or help to accomplish biblical responsibilities in my life or in the lives of others) (1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:32)?

Does this bring me under its power or am I controlled by it in any way (1 Corinthians 6:12)?

Is this an area of spiritual weakness (a stumbling block) in my life (Matthew 5:29-30, 18:8-9)?

Could this lead another believer in Christ to stumble (Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 8:9-13)?

Does this edify (build up) others or, stated in another way, is this the Biblically loving thing to do (Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 10:23-24)?

Does this glorify God (Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31)?

Develop a contingency plan to deal immediately with temptation when it occurs (1 Peter 5:8-9). Remember that sin’s power over you has been broken (Romans 6:4-14) so that you can overcome temptation and live righteously (1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 5:4-5, 18). Your contingency plan should include:

Prayer for wisdom, direction, and grace to withstand the temptation (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 4:16; James 1:5);

Biblical thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8-9; Colossians 3:2), utilizing Scripture memory (Psalm 119:11) and remembering to stay dependent on God (James 4:7);

Biblical speech (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6), especially quoting Scripture (Psalm 119:11; Matthew 4:3-10) and giving a reason for the hope within you to others (1 Peter 3:15); and

Biblical action: flee temptation (Genesis 39:7-12; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:22). If prohibited from fleeing temptation immediately, remain obedient to Scripture as Jesus did in His temptation (Matthew 4:1-11), in order for God to provide you with strength and a way of escape in which you will not sin (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Whenever possible or necessary, obtain help from others (Proverbs 11:14, 15:22; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12; 1 Corinthians 12:25-27; Galatians 6:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:22).

Consistently and Faithfully Practice Your New Biblical Patter of Daily Living

(Galatians 6:9; Philippians 4:9; Hebrews 5:14; James 1:25)

IF You Sin and Respond Biblically to Your Failure...

You can rely on God’s sustaining care (Psalm 37:24, 145:14) as you return quickly to your obedient walk in Christ (Proverbs 24:16; 1 John 5:4-5).

Whenever you fail, you should:

Identify your failure (Matthew 7:1-5; 1 Corinthians 11:31) and confess your sins to God (Psalm 51:1-4; 1 John 1:9);

Confess your sins to those against whom you have sinned (James 5:16);

Show the deeds of repentance corresponding to this change of direction (based on James 4:7-10; Revelation 2:4-5); and

Reconstruct or revise your basic and/or contingency plans (Philippians 2:12-13; 3:12-14), remembering that God has promised you victory over failures (Proverbs 24:26; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 1 John 5:4-5, 18).

Begin again to live God’s way (Romans 12:2; Philippians 3:13-14; Revelation 2:5), not dwelling on past failures (Philippians 3:13-14); since God has completely forgiven you (1 John 1:9) and is continuing to perfect His work in you (Philippians 1:6, 2:13).