Behavior Modification

Sermon Notes

We're not into BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION; we want heart transformation.

Heart transformation is a process that relies on the HOLY SPIRIT to rebuild us from the inside out.

[1 Samuel 16:7] But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

God is more concerned with the HEART than appearances.

[Romans 12:2] Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

When we let the Holy Spirit change our heart, the good behaviors NATURALLY follow.

[Matthew 23:25-26] "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy--full of greed and self-indulgence! [26] You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.

Jesus didn’t come to give us more RULES to FOLLOW.

[Galatians 5:22-23] But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

The Fruit of spirit is EVIDENCE of God working on the inside.

[2 Corinthians 7:10] For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.