People Can Change

by:  Matt Allen  (outline originally by John Duvall)

 

FILING INFORMATION:

96066

11/24/96 - Cyclone, KY

 

I.  INTRODUCTION.

A.  Many times you will hear people say that they cannot change their ways. You have heard the old saying, “A leopard cannot change its spots.”

B.  The reality is that people can change their ways. Change is always possible if there is a will to change.

C.  We have all made changes in our lives. Some of us have made changes in homes, in cars, in jobs, in food preferences, etc. Some of us, if not all of us, have made changes in our behavioral habits at some time in the past.

D.  It is the purpose of this lesson to show that it is possible for people to change.

 

II.  THE POSSIBILITY OF CHANGE.

A.  A study of Ezekiel 18 reveals the possibility of change.

1.  The wicked can change for the good. (Ezek. 18:21-23)

2.  The righteous can change. (Ezek. 18:24)

B.  Ezekiel sums up the possibility of change on both parts as well as its consequences. (Ezek. 18:25-32)

C.  Let us further illustrate change. Consider the example of the father and his two sons. (Matt. 21:28-32) {We will consider this in more detail in a few minutes.}

D.  It is necessary to note that change involves a change of mind and a change of action.

 

III. THOSE WHO ARE ENGAGING IN SIN CAN CHANGE.

A.  There were many during the New Testament days who changed from sin.

1.  Consider again the text of Matthew 21:28-29. In the parable, the first son who refused to go work changed his mind and went to work.  This parable was illustrating how that the tax collectors and harlots would enter the kingdom of God before the Pharisees.

2.  Peter is an example of one who publicly denied Christ, but later publicly professed His name. (Matt. 26:69-75; Acts 2:14-39)

3.  Consider also the apostle Paul.

a.  The apostle Paul persecuted Christians prior to become a Christian. (Acts 8:1-4; 9:1-3) Paul even referred to himself as the “chief of sinners.” (I Tim. 1:15)

b.    After Paul became a Christian, we see him making changes in his life. He began to preach that which he threw people into prison for. (Acts 9:22,26-29)

1.  Consider the letters that he wrote. In Galatians 1:8, Paul wrote, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what WE HAVE PREACHED TO YOU, let him be accursed.” (NKJV)

B.  If there is sin in your life, you can turn from that sin.

1.  There is no sin that one cannot turn from. That is evident in our promise from God. (I Cor. 10:13) The promise is that with every temptation there is a way of escape. This way of escape is applicable for both the non-Christian and the Christian. If change was not possible then there would be no way of escape from any temptations.

2.  Consider a few examples from Galatians 5:16-26.

a.   In verse 16, Paul teaches the brethren to “Walk in the Spirit.”

b.  We can see the difference between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh, Paul explains both. (Gal. 5:19-21; Gal. 5:22-26)

c. Paul explained both types of walks so that we would know which one we must choose. If a person is walking after the works of the flesh, then he/she needs to change to walk after the Spirit.

3.  I Peter 4 shows us a clear example of those who changed from sinful ways and practices. (I Pet. 4:1-4)

4.  Consider just a few sins that we can change from:  (Gal. 5:19-21)

a.  Adultery (NKJV,KJV) - Sexual Immorality (NASV) Definition:  When a married person has sexual relations with someone other than their spouse.

b. Fornication (NKJV,KJV) - Sexual Immorality (NASV) Definition:  When a married person has sexual relations with someone other than their spouse.

c.  Uncleanness (NKJV,KJV) - Impurity (NASV) Definition:  Uncleanness is from a word that means impurity, either of mind or of body.  Uncleanness covers a wide range of sensual sins, whether in thought or in deed.  Unnatural lusts.

d.  Lewdness (NKJV) - Lasciviousness (KJV) - Sensuality (NASV) Definition: Wantonness.  It appears to point to reckless shamelessness in unclean indulgences.  It generally appears to point more specifically to unabashed, open indulgence in impurity.  Sensual means, "Unduly indulging the appetites or sexual pleasure; lewd."

e. Idolatry (NKJV,KJV,NASV)  Definition: "The worship of false gods, idolatry...used of the formal sacrificial feasts had in honor of false gods.

f. Sorcery (NKJV) - Witch craft (KJV)   Definition:  Magical arts

g. Hatred (NKJV,KJV) - Enmities (NASV)  Definition:  "Cause of enmity."  Any attitude toward someone else that would tend to cause trouble between the two.

h. Contentions (NKJV) - Variance (KJV) - Strive (NASV) Definition:  A disposition to quarrel, wrangle or cause strife. 

i. Jealousies (NKJV) - Emulations (KJV) - Jealousy (NASV) Definition:   "Envious and contentions, rivalry, jealousy."

j.      Outbursts of wrath (NKJV) - Wrath (KJV) - Outbursts of anger (NASV) Definition:  "passion, angry heat."  When our anger gets out of control.

k.  Selfish ambitions (NKJV) - Strife (KJV) - Disputes (NASV)  Definition:  Factions.  "A courting distinction, a desire to put one's self forward, a partisian and factious spirit which does not disdain (object to) low arts."

l.  Dissensions (NKJV,NASV) - Seditions (KJV)  Definition:  divisions. "It means the disposition to bring about cliques and parties in the congregation, which might result in confusion and disunion of the whole body."

m.        Heresies (NKJV,KJV) - Factions (NASV) - Definition:  Denotes a "choosing, choice; then, that which is chosen, and hence, an opinion, especially a self-willed opinion, which is substituted for submission to the power of truth, and leads to division and the formation of sects."

n.  Envy  (NKJV,KJV)  Definition:  "Chagrin or discontent at the excellence;  grudge."  Being unhappy or discontented because someone else has excelled or achieved something that we have not.

o.  Murders  (NKJV,KJV)  Definition:  "Literally means the unlawful slaying of a human being."

p.  Drunkenness (NKJV,KJV)  Definition:  "intoxication."  Strong drinking, drunkenness, a drunken frolic.

q.  Revelries (NKJV,KJV) - Carousings (NASV)  Definition:  "Festivity, feasting, revelry, riotous mirth; dancing and song; wantonness dissoluteness, debauchery; luxury, indulgence, voluptuousness; a company of revelers, any company, society, party."

5.  Consider other sins from I Peter 4:3. 

6.  Many people engage in the above sins and claim that they cannot change. God has made change possible.

C.  The person who becomes a Christian is expected to begin making changes in his/her life just as the person who is already a Christian is expect to make changes in his/her life as needed.

 

III.       THE RIGHTEOUS CAN CHANGE.

A. Just as it is possible for a person to change from sin to righteousness, it is just as possible for a person to change from righteousness to sin.

B.  While this fact is made clear by our look at Ezekiel 18, the writer of Hebrews also warned us of the possibility of falling away. (Heb. 2:1) It is apparent that drifting is possible.

C.  Drifting or changing can be brought on by:

 

1.  A lack of love for God and His word.

2.  A lack of knowledge.

3.  A lack of strength.

4.  A lack of willpower.

 

IV.  CONCLUSION.

A.  The fact is this:  You can make any changes that YOU WANT TO make.

B.  If you are not a Christian, then you can begin your change be becoming a child of God.

C.  If you are a Christian and you have embraced certain sinful practices, then you need to change today.  Let your change begin by confessing your sin to God and asking Him to forgive you of your sin.  You then work to leave behind that sinful practice.