Behavior: Why It's So Hard to Change

Ever had mixed feelings? Ever done something so completely unlike who you really are? We all have. What brings such confusing emotions?

The heart can be divided against itself. One part can desire one thing while another part desires something completely different. Sometimes those desires are good and sometimes they are sinful and unhealthy.

Different parts of your heart react differently to various circumstances in your life. Some parts help you manage the situation well but sometimes try to take more control than what is healthy or effective. Using self-condemnation and harsh judgment on yourself will only lead to depression and anxiety. Trying to be controlling and manipulative toward other people will also backfire.

On the other hand, there are other parts that try to deflect or drown out pain. This is where addiction comes in. Addiction isn’t regulated to only drugs and alcohol but any activity that is used to distract the real issue that needs to be addressed. Maybe it’s a compulsion to stay busy or spend hours online.

Whatever it is, the parts that try to control and the parts that try to indulge act in ways that are sinful and against what God wants for our benefit. This is the sinful nature, the bent toward sin we all must wrestle with.

How do we reconcile these different parts of our heart that war against what truly best for us? It takes wisdom and more than anything, the personal presence of Christ to bring transformation. This is the process of sanctification as all parts of the heart are slowly brought under God’s lordship, influence, and transformation.

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