What To Do When Relationships Are At A Standstill by David Montgomery

Author:David Montgomery
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-63885-714-3
Publisher: Covenant Books
Published: 2022-05-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Who’s Changing Who?

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

—Colossians 3:5–10 (NLT)

What do you mean, who’s changing who? The who can represent your spouse, children, siblings, extended family members, believers in Christ, and those that profess to be believers, old and new acquaintances. My questions to you: Is the light of Christ in you? Is it changing them, or are they changing you? Who’s changing who? Change means “to change one’s mind; to change one’s opinions or intentions; to become transformed or converted.” Has anyone ever tried to get you to change the way you think or do something you know was not pleasing to God? Have you compromised your walk with Christ to keep the peace?

When it seems like all hell is breaking out all around you, can you declare Philippians 4:6–7 (KJV), “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus?”

What situation or person has caused you not to obey but doubt the Word of God? Who are you trying to please, God or people? How many times have you tried to fit in on your job or at those public and private social gatherings you had to attend? I must be real; I pray that what I am about to share here will help someone experiencing something similar. I confess that as I started to write this chapter, God showed me even more for those of you who think you are self-righteous. Yes, God is always showing us ourselves, and the question is, what will we do about what He’s showing us?

Not in our might or power. Can we change what God is showing us only by the Holy Spirit? Back to what I was saying, the Holy Spirit showed me how I let people around me affect me by trying to fit in with them through my actions and conversations. I have been around people who said they were born-again believers and were attending church every Sunday and going to Bible study; some were teaching the Word of God. However, their lifestyles were contrary to what the Word said. I was just like them; my own life didn’t line up. I turned from my wicked ways, confessed my sins to God, repented, and then asked Him to forgive me.

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