It Starts Small

Have you ever been in a church service where the preacher goes on and on about “do this, don’t do that?”

Can we honestly say that God only cares about our behavior? Does God only care about us behaving correctly? Can we honestly tell ourselves that we are “okay” with God as long as we are not doing wrong? Are you trying to live by a set of rules and white knuckling your christian walk, straining to not fall into temptation and sin?

Most of us had parents who disciplined us to correct our behavior, often with rewards and punishments. This is not discipline but is actually manipulation. As soon as our parents turned their backs, we did what we were not supposed to do. Why? Because we wanted to avoid punishments and please our parents, but we never changed our behavior. We did what we wanted when we were not in their presence.

Many of us are good at “controlling” our actions in front of others to “appear” godly when others are watching, but do not live or act as we should when we are not at church or in a group of other believers.

⁷ But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Ouch! God cannot be fooled. We can fool, manipulate and deceive people all day long, but we can not fool God. What is the solution to NOT living a life of behavior manipulations and by a list of do’s and do nots?

God is not in the business of behavior modification. He is in the business of transformation. He wants to inwardly transform us. He does the work, NOT us. He just wants us to be surrendered and willing to cooperate with Him. God desires to change our understanding of Him so we can increasingly view life from His perspective. When we see life with His perspective we result in having godly behavior. It is not about just simply changing what is outward, but our inwardly thinking to be reflected on the outside.

² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

This scripture tells us exactly the steps for this process. I love how the NLT version transcribes it:

² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

We let the Holy Spirit transform our understanding of God (mind), so that we increasingly view life from His perspective and make a conscious choice to seek Him wholeheartedly in our daily spiritual walk, our values and convictions (attitude) will change. That transformed perspective produces behavior (conduct) that is pleasing to Him.

See… God does not use manipulation to correct our behavior. As humans we are ‘wired’ to reflect what is important to us. God knows this and He wants to change our inward value system because when we allow Him to do that, our behavior will naturally follow. The next few posts are going to break down this principle in Romans 12:2. Our goal is to learn what it means to allow God to transform us. I pray we become honest, open, and teachable to our Heavenly Father.

Some Verses to meditate upon as we consider God’s Character and His transformation:

¹⁶ And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. 1 John 4:16

¹⁸ But look, the Lord keeps his eye on those who fear him—
those who depend on his faithful love
¹⁹ to rescue them from death
and to keep them alive in famine.
²⁰ We wait for the Lord;
he is our help and shield.
²¹ For our hearts rejoice in him
because we trust in his holy name.
Psalms 33:18-21

⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and rescued me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant with joy;
their faces will never be ashamed.
⁶ This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him from all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and rescues them.
⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good.
How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!
Psalm 34:4-8

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

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Transformation:

Part 1: Dos and Don’ts or Spiritual Transformation?
Part 2: Knowing God
Part 3: What Hinders Transformation?
Part 4: Temptations
Part 5: Can I trust God?
Part 6: Transformation