Do you want or need to change? Here’s what you’ll need …

Someone once wrote, “Some people will change when they see the light. Others change only when they feel the heat.”

Whether you’ve seen the light, or you’re feeling the heat, we all need to change, and keep changing, as part of life’s journey.

But not everyone changes for the good. That’s a choice. To bring about positive, beneficial, and God-honoring change to your life, there are a few key things you’ll need:

1. Truth.
Beneficial change must start with truth. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus teaches us that anyone who listens to His teaching and follows it is like a person building a house on solid rock. When the storms of life hit, the house stands firm because its foundation is secure. Jesus isn’t talking about abstract concepts here — He’s talking about His own teachings being that rock-solid foundation. The truth we need for change is not just any truth, but God’s truth as revealed through His Word.

Hebrews 4:12 emphasizes this: “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” God’s Word penetrates deep into our lives, showing us not only what needs to change but also providing the standard of truth that guides us. Additionally, 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Truth is the bedrock upon which lasting, beneficial, God-honoring change is built.

2. Decision.
Knowing the truth is important, but change doesn’t happen until you make a decision to act on that truth. Change requires a deep, internal decision that aligns with God’s will. This is not simply a passing thought but a purposeful commitment.

Take Daniel, for example, in Daniel 1:8a: “But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king …” Daniel’s decision was a matter of internal resolve, based on his commitment to God’s standards. Similarly, Job demonstrates this principle when he says, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman” (Job 31:1). The decision to change is the moment where the truth you know translates into the actions you commit to, both privately and publicly.

3. Self-Discipline.
Self-discipline is the persistent, long-term practice of aligning your actions with the decision you’ve made. It’s the steady, day-in and day-out effort required to sustain change, even when it’s hard. I often describe self-discipline like this: Do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, whether you like it or not. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the necessity of self-discipline in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27: “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” Like an athlete who prepares for competition by training regularly, self-discipline ensures that we are consistently moving in the direction of God-honoring change.

Self-discipline enables us to stay focused on the goal, even when we encounter setbacks, distractions, or fatigue. Without it, even the best intentions will falter over time. It’s a crucial element because real, beneficial change isn’t instantaneous — it’s cultivated through continuous effort. Self-discipline builds the habits and structures that make change sustainable.

4. Self-Control.
While self-discipline is about long-term consistency, self-control operates in the moment. It’s the ability to manage your impulses, desires, and reactions when temptations arise. Proverbs 25:28 explains it this way: “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Without self-control, you are left vulnerable to the temptations and emotions that can destroy your progress.

Galatians 5:22-23 identifies self-control as a fruit of the Spirit, highlighting that it is not only a personal effort but also a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in us. Self-control helps us to make the right decision in the heat of the moment, preventing us from taking actions that undermine the change we seek to achieve. It is a crucial element because change happens in real-time decisions and interactions.

5. Spirit-Control.
Ultimately, while self-discipline and self-control are necessary, they are not sufficient on their own to bring about God-honoring change. Spirit-control — yielding to the Holy Spirit’s guidance — is what allows us to truly walk in the path God has set before us. Paul points to this in Romans 8:5-6, “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”

2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” The Holy Spirit empowers us to live beyond what we can accomplish through sheer willpower. When we yield to the Spirit, we allow Him to direct and strengthen us, providing the power and love needed to bring about the change that pleases God. It’s not that we abandon self-discipline and self-control, but rather that we recognize our dependence on the Spirit’s help to make them effective.

This requires a conscious decision to submit to the Spirit’s leading in every area of life. As we make decisions, practice discipline, and exercise control, we must also remain open to the Spirit’s conviction, guidance, and empowerment. Without the Holy Spirit, our efforts to change will fall short of what God desires for us, which is what is best for us.

6. Support.
While change can certainly be made individually, with God’s help, that’s not the way God designed us to live. We are meant to walk this life together — dependent on God, but also interdependent with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Change can be difficult, and God knows that. That’s why He calls us to support each other in our journey toward change and growth.

Galatians 6:2 tells us, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” God never intended for us to carry the weight of change alone. By leaning on others in the body of Christ, we gain strength, encouragement, and accountability. Hebrews 10:24-25 reinforces this: “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Support from fellow believers is important in helping us remain focused on God-honoring change and ensuring we don’t lose heart when the process feels overwhelming.

In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, we read: “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” The wisdom here is that we were never meant to face challenges — including the challenge of change — by ourselves. Our fellow believers are part of God’s provision, helping us stay on course, hold to the truth, and endure the difficulties of the change process.

True, lasting change is best achieved with the support of God’s family. Not only does it provide encouragement and accountability, but it also reflects the very nature of God’s design for the church — living in fellowship and unity with one another. Don’t walk the path of change alone. Lean into the support that God has placed around you in His people.

The opportunity to change is set before you, but no one else can take it for you. Each step — truth, decision, self-discipline, self-control, and Spirit-control — is within your reach. What happens next is between you and God. The opportunity for meaningful change is here, not in the future, but right now. What will you do?

Scotty