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Deciding to Change

January 10

Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

Ezekiel 18:30-31

All of us need to learn to apologize, for one simple reason: We are all sinners. From time to time we all hurt the people we love the most. When we apologize, we hope the person we have offended will forgive us. We can make that easier if we include in our apology a statement of repentance or change. As one woman said, “I don’t want to just hear words; I want to see changes. When he indicates that he intends to change, I’m always willing to forgive him.”

All true repentance begins in the heart. The decision to change shows that we are no longer making excuses or minimizing our behavior. Instead, we are accepting full responsibility for our actions. As the above Scripture says, we are putting our sinful behavior behind us and seeking “a new heart and a new spirit.” Only God can give those. He can renew in us a desire to change the way we act. He can help us do better. When we share our desire to change, the offended party gets a glimpse of our heart. That often leads to forgiveness.

Father, what a wonderful promise that you can give me a new heart and a new spirit. Change my heart, O God, and help me to change my behavior. I want to communicate that to my loved one so he or she can fully trust me.

COMPLETED

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