Key scripture – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” (Colossians 3:5-10 NIV).

Pastor, Charles Swindol points out that, change is never easy and when it comes to certain habits that haunt and harm us, change can be excruciating. But it isn’t impossible.

The number one enemy of change is the hard-core, self-satisfied sin nature within you. Like a spoiled child, it has been gratified and indulged for years, so it will not give up without a violent fight. Change is its greatest threat, and a confrontation between the two is inevitable. Change must be allowed to face and conquer the intimidations of your inward habit.

The flesh dies a slow, bitter, bloody death—kicking and struggling all the way down. “Putting off” the clothes of the old self (the old, habitual lifestyle) will not be complete until you are determined to “put on” the garment of the new self (the new, fresh, Christian lifestyle). “since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge.” (Colossians 3:9–10].

Change—real change—takes place slowly, in first gear, not overdrive. Far too many Christians get discouraged and give up. Like ice skating or mastering a musical instrument or learning to water ski, certain techniques have to be discovered and developed in the daily discipline of living. Breaking habit patterns you established during the passing of years cannot occur in a few brief days. Remember, “Instant” change is as rare as it is phony.

God did not give us His Word to satisfy our curiosity; He gave it to change our lives. Can you name a couple of specific changes God has implemented in your life during the past six or eight months? Has He been allowed, for example, to change your attitude toward someone . . . or an area of stubbornness . . . or a deep-seated habit that has hurt your home and hindered your relationship with others for a long, long time . . . or a pattern of discourtesy in your driving . . . or a profane tongue . . . or cheating . . . or laziness. . . or lying?

Perhaps a better question would be, “Exactly what changes do you have on your personal drawing board?”—or—”What are you asking the Lord to alter and adjust in your life that needs immediate attention?”

The tailor who makes the changes is the Holy Spirit. You can count on Him to dispose of your old threadbare wardrobe as quickly as He outfits you with the new. This tailor is different than all the others because He is on call twenty-four hours a day to help you when you have the urge to slip into the old clothes “just one more time.” If you ask Him, He’ll help you remember what you looked like on the day you first walked into His shop. He has a mirror with memories and it is called, the Bible.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for the changes that You have made in me. I know that I am not where I should be but I thank You that I am not where I was. I am making progress and I praise You for that. You are making me more like Jesus and I know You will continue to work on me and make me holy in all of my behavior like You are Holy until the day I die or Jesus comes back, which ever comes first. (1 Peter 1:14-16). Father, I do not want to wear my old sinful self, give me the strength to throw my old sinful habits away once and for all and leave them where they belong, in the dump. Thank You Father for loving me enough to change me and for being so patient with me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.