Why Can't I Change? The Five Biggest Mistakes

Jesus said to his disciples, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mt. 4:19; Mk. 1:17). Certainly following Christ means leaving everything to go after Him, including developing new values, participating in His sufferings, obeying His commands, taking up one’s cross, and participating in His salvation. With the promise that “old things have passed away” and “new things have come,” it is not surprising that believers would anticipate real life transformation as they grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. The expectation is that Christ will shape our lives to be like Him as we give more and more of ourselves to Him. After all, Peter exhorted his readers to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Pt. 3:18). After some time has passed, however, far too many Christians come to the realization that change does not happen as quickly or as easily as was first thought. Some, in fact, become terribly discouraged. Memorable slogans such as “let go and let God” have left many frustrated and without the lasting hope they had assumed was promised. Why is this? This talk will consider the five biggest mistakes that Christians make in learning how to follow Jesus and introduce proven biblical principles of spiritual growth that will lead to encouraging and healthy growth in sanctification and with the necessary insights by which to disciple others who also long to follow Jesus without reservation.