This document discusses how to achieve lasting change in one's life. It argues that lasting change requires coming to terms with the truth about oneself and God, making a personal decision to change, and choosing the right path each day with God's help rather than willpower alone. Replacing negative habits with God's fruit of the Spirit through allowing God's power to transform one's thinking is key. Lasting change also requires honesty with trusted others, as some habits are too ingrained to overcome alone.

3. YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
WHAT DO YOU THINK?

4. HOW TO GET LASTING CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE
CAN YOU TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS?

5. LASTING CHANGE REQUIRES COMING TO TERMS WITH THE
TRUTH
 ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO
 ABOUT WHY GOD HAS YOU HERE
 ABOUT WHAT GOD WANTS IN HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU

6. Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You
are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my
teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth
will set you free.” John 8:31-32

7. LASTING CHANGE REQUIRES MORE THAN A WISH OR DESIRE…
 LASTING CHANGE REQUIRES A PERSONAL DECISION
 LASTING CHANGE REQUIRES YOU TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES DAY BY DAY

8. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth
that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your
former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put
on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous
and holy. Eph 4:21-24

9. LASTING CHANGE REQUIRES YOU TO TURN FROM YOUR SELF
DESTRUCTIVE IDEAS ABOUT YOURSELF…
 AND PUT ON A NEW WAY OF THINKING ABOUT YOURSELF
 REPLACING NEGATIVE HABITS AND SINS OFTEN WORKS BETTER THAN TRYING TO STOP DOING
THEM

10. 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. Romans 12:2

11. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I
inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another
power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin
that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life
that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our
Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because
of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. (Romans 7:21-25)

12. LASTING CHANGE REQUIRES MORE THAN WILLPOWER…
 LASTING CHANGE REQUIRES “GODPOWER”
 THE MORE I ALLOW “GODPOWER” TO TAKE OVER MY POWER, GOD REPLACES MY BAD HABITS
WITH THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

13. For I can do everything through Christ, who
gives me strength. -Philippians 4:13

14. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control. Eph 5:22-23

15. LASTING CHANGE REQUIRES HONESTY WITH OTHERS YOU
TRUST…
 SOME OF OUR HABITS AND SINS ARE SO INGRAINED WE NEED A TRUSTED FRIEND TO HELP US
 IF YOU COULD CHANGE THE TOUGH AREAS IN YOUR LIFE BY YOURSELF YOU WOULD HAVE
ALREADY DONE SO

16. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If
one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone
is in real trouble. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but
two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided
cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4: 9,10,12)