A High, Wide Change

by David Gibson

Lloyd Deal told our congregation about a song he heard Kenyan Christians sing:

There’s been a high, wide change since I’ve been born again [repeated three times].
Some places I used to go I don’t go there anymore.
Some things I used to say I don’t say them anymore.
Some things I used to do I don’t do them anymore.
Some friends I used to have I don’t have them anymore.

Overcoming Sin: A Self-Examination Checklist

1. Do I understand what the Bible says about sin and temptation? (Hebrews 3:13; 11:25; John 8:34; II Peter 2:19; Romans 6:21, 23)
2. Do I remember what God has done in my life? (I Corinthians 6:9-11)
3. Do I remember whose I am? (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
4. Do I remember what I am now? (I Peter 2:9-11)
5. Is my mindset conducive to victory over sin? (Romans 8:5-8; 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-2; James 4:4-8)
6. Do I want, above all, to be pleasing and useful to God? (II Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 5:5-10; I Thessalonians 4:1-8; II Timothy 2:19, 21)
7. Am I making a determined effort to put off the old self and put on the new? (Ephesians 4:22-32)
8. Am I not only trying to flee evil, but do I also pursue the good? (I Timothy 6:10-11; II Timothy 2:22)
9.  Am I doing what it takes to strengthen my faith for the struggle? (Ephesians 6:16; I Peter 5:8-9; I John 5:4)
10. Do I have a practical strategy for dealing with temptation? (Matthew 4:1-11; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:10-17; I Corinthians 10:13)
11. Am I willing to pay the price? (Matthew 5:29-30; I Corinthians 9:24-27; Galatians 5:24; I Peter 4:1-4)
12. Am I trying to make Christ the focus of my life instead of sin? (Ephesians 4:17-21; Hebrews 2:18; 12:1-3)

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (II Corinthians 5:17 NASB).

“A high, wide change.”