I want to talk about one thing today—just one. You cannot walk with God if you are not willing to change.
That’s it. That’s the whole message. We could stop right there and go home, but the truth is, many of us know it in our head but refuse to live it out. God is always calling us forward, always shaping us, always pressing us to lay something down or pick something up. But the question is—are you willing to change?
If You Refuse to Change, You Cannot Follow Christ
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Notice the word transformed. That means changed. Christianity is not about staying the same; it’s about being made more like Christ.
But here’s the danger:
Proverbs 29:1
He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
When God corrects you and you dig in your heels, you’re not just refusing change—you’re inviting destruction.
Example from Scripture: Pharaoh
God gave Pharaoh ten chances. Every plague was God saying: “Change.”
But Pharaoh said: “No, I won’t.”
Each time God sent a plague, Pharaoh hardened his heart. Ten chances. He said no each time.
Exodus 8:15
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Exodus 8:32
And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.
Exodus 9:34-35
And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35 And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.
These show the stubborn pattern: God says change, Pharaoh says no. Listen, you don’t want to be like this Pharaoh.
In the end, his refusal to change cost him his nation, his army, and even his son.
When you resist God’s call to change, you’re the one who loses.
And now you’ve been saved by Jesus Christ. You’ve been changed from within by God, but God gives you the choice to walk in the new man or to continue in your old ways.
Example from Scripture: Zacchaeus
On the other hand, think of Zacchaeus. He met Jesus, and he changed—immediately. He gave back what he stole, he turned from his greed, he followed Christ. And Jesus said: “This day is salvation come to this house.”
Luke 19:8-9
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
This shows the opposite of Pharaoh: a man ready to change, and blessing follows.
Look, you’re here right now. You have the choice to make a change. And you must make the necessary changes. You’ve got to walk with God. And you can’t do that by doing the same old things.
Blessing always follows a willingness to change.
Blessings From God Will Come
Jonah 3:10
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
They were going to be destroyed but they changed their evil ways.
James 1:25
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
The blessing doesn’t come from hearing, but from changing—doing.
Psalm 106:3
Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
Rich Young Ruler — Unwilling to Change
Matthew 19:21-22
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
He knew what Jesus asked. He had the chance to change. But he wasn’t willing — his love for wealth was greater.
Your love for these other things that are ruining you can’t be greater than your love for God.
The Prodigal Son – Willing to Change
Luke 15:20-24
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
The Prodigal Son changed his mind, changed his direction, and returned to his father. That one decision brought forgiveness, restoration, and blessing.
Change One Step at a Time
You don’t have to fix everything in your life overnight. God usually works a little at a time.
Isaiah 28:10
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.
Maybe today God is saying:
- Drop that bitterness.
- Start that prayer habit.
- Fix that relationship.
- Step away from that sin.
It’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about saying: “Lord, I’m willing to change.”
God’s Work in Us Is Progressive
Salvation is instant — the moment you believe on Christ, you’re saved forever. But growth and sanctification happen step by step. God doesn’t dump everything on us at once.
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
God begins a work, and He performs it over time.
Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Growth is compared to the sunrise — brighter and brighter, not instant daylight.
The One Truth to Remember Today
So here’s the one truth I want you to remember today: If you refuse to change, you cannot walk with God.
Hebrews 3:15
While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Don’t harden your heart today. Don’t resist. Be willing to change. That’s how growth comes. That’s how blessing comes. That’s how you follow Christ.
Let’s NOT be known as people who say, “That’s just how I am.” Let’s be known as people who say, “Lord, whatever You want me to change—I’m willing.”
You might think you’re doing everything right. We aren’t though. Whatever you need to change, let’s get it done together.
God blesses those who are willing to change. Pharaoh hardened his heart and was destroyed. Zacchaeus changed and was blessed. Nineveh changed and was spared. The Prodigal Son changed and was restored.
So what about you? Are you willing to change?
That means picking up your Bible every day and letting God speak to you. That means being in church every single time the doors are open. That means putting down the drugs, the alcohol, the filth, and the laziness — and deciding to live clean and work hard all week long.
Stop saying, “That’s just who I am.” Start saying, “Lord, whatever You want to change in me, I’m willing.”
Because refusing to change will ruin you. But being willing to change will bring God’s blessing on your life.
Let’s pray.
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