Bible Study About Change: Christian Transformation

Change is a word that can stir up a mix of emotions. On one hand, we know life is full of changes – new seasons, new challenges, new opportunities.

On the other hand, change can be scary. Have you ever felt nervous about a big change, or wondered if real personal change is even possible? I know I have!

The good news is that the Bible has a lot to say about change, and not the self-help, pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps kind of change, but deep, heart-level transformation that comes from God.

In this Bible study, we'll explore what "change" means in a biblical context and how it applies to our Christian living. Spoiler alert: God loves us as we are, but He also loves us too much to leave us unchanged!

We'll look at how the word "change" and related ideas like transformation, renewal, repentance, conversion, and sanctification show up throughout the Bible.

We’ll see how God calls us to "put off the old man" and "put on the new," how He transformed people like Paul and Peter, and the blessings that come when God leads the change.

We'll even notice some cool metaphors (seasons changing, new wine, clean garments, and more) that God uses to teach us about change. And through it all, one thing remains constant: our God does not change, which is exactly why we can change in the ways that truly matter.

By the end, I hope you'll feel encouraged and excited about the changes God can bring in your life.

The Meaning of "Change" in the Bible

When we talk about "change" in a biblical sense, we mean far more than just shifting circumstances or trying a new hairstyle. Biblical change is often about transformation of character and heart.

Interestingly, the Bible uses the word "change" in various ways. Sometimes it refers to ordinary things like changing clothes or changing seasons. Other times it points to profound spiritual shifts, like a heart turning from sin to God.

First, let's set one thing straight: God Himself doesn’t change.

• “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6).
• Similarly, James 1:17 tells us God is the “Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

In a world where everything seems to be in flux, this is comforting! God’s character, His promises, and His love remain steady.

• Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Why start a study on change by talking about God not changing?

Because His unchanging nature is the solid foundation on which all positive change in us can happen. We can change for the better precisely because God is faithful and consistent in His goodness. He’s our anchor in the storm of change.

At the same time, from the very beginning the Bible is a story of necessary change.

After humanity fell into sin, we desperately needed a change in our situation – a rescue plan.

The Gospel is essentially about God providing a way to change our relationship with Him: from guilty to forgiven, from lost to found, from dead to alive.

When we become Christians, the Bible says we undergo a radical change: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

That’s an incredible description of what it means to be saved. It's not just picking up a new hobby or turning over a new leaf – it’s becoming a new creation!

So in a biblical context, "change" often means conversion and transformation brought about by God’s power and our response to His grace.

It involves repentance (changing our mind and direction), and it continues as a lifelong process of growth (often called sanctification).

The goal of all this change is that we become more like Jesus in character. Romans 8:29 says God’s purpose is that believers be “conformed to the image of his Son.” That’s change – being shaped over time to reflect Christ.

Of course, not all change is good.

• The Bible also warns about the wrong kind of change – like changing God’s truth into a lie (Romans 1:25) or those who are “given to change” in the sense of being disloyal or restless (Proverbs 24:21).

• Proverbs advises: “My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change.”

Here "change" refers to people who rebel against God’s established order just for the sake of change, the rebels and revolutionaries who have no regard for God or authority.

In other words, change for change’s sake, or change away from God’s truth, is not good. The kind of change God desires is the kind that turns us toward Him, not away.

In summary, biblical change is about turning from sin to God, being transformed by God’s power, and growing into the person He created us to be. It’s a change of heart, mind, and life direction. And it’s all anchored in the God who never changes. How awesome is that?

Many Faces of Change in Scripture

The concept of change shows up throughout Scripture in different forms. Let’s take a quick tour of some of the ways the Bible talks about change (yes, even the direct word "change" itself appears in various contexts):

Literal Changes:

Sometimes "change" is very practical.

• For example, Jacob told his household to “put away the strange gods... and change your garments” (Genesis 35:2) as they prepared to worship God.

Changing clothes symbolized leaving behind idolatry and cleansing themselves.

• In another instance, Job speaks of the cycle of day and night: “They change the night into day” (Job 17:12) – a poetic way to describe how his friends were confusing things.

These are everyday uses, but often there’s a deeper symbolic meaning (like cleaning up on the outside to reflect a decision on the inside).

Heart Changes:

The prophets question if people can change their fundamental nature on their own.

• Jeremiah asked, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil” (Jeremiah 13:23).

The implied answer is no – we can’t just will ourselves to be righteous any more than a leopard can scrub off its spots. We need God to change us!

This sets the stage for the promise that God would one day change hearts of stone into hearts of flesh (more on that later).

Negative Change:

The Bible also uses "change" to describe unfortunate turns.

• In Romans 1, people “changed the truth of God into a lie” and worshipped created things rather than the Creator.
• And Hosea 4:7 describes a sad outcome for Israel’s unfaithfulness: God says “I will change their glory into shame.”

So, change can go either direction – positive or negative – depending on whether one is moving closer to God or further away.

Inevitable Change:

Some changes are just part of life and the world.

• “To every thing there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) – we experience birth and death, planting and harvest, mourning and dancing.

• Creation itself wears out like a garment. The psalmist says of the heavens and earth, “as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed” (Psalm 102:26).

• Empires rise and fall; Daniel 2:21 says God “changeth the times and the seasons; he removeth kings, and setteth up kings.”

Nothing in this world stays the same forever. This reminds us not to get too attached to earthly things – but to hold onto God who presides over all these changes.

Ultimate Change (Resurrection):

The word “change” is even used for the great transformation believers will experience at the resurrection.

• “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

• Our mortal bodies will be changed into immortal, glorious bodies. Philippians 3:21 says Jesus “shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.”

Talk about an upgrade! This hope of future change gives us comfort that even death is not the end – a glorious change is coming.

From these examples, we see that change in Scripture can refer to everything from swapping out clothes to God’s cosmic redemption plan. But our focus is on the spiritual and personal changes that God calls each of us to undergo as followers of Christ.

For that, the Bible often uses words like repentance, conversion, renewal, transformation, and sanctification. Let’s unpack some of those terms, because they’re all about change.

Transformation, Renewal, and Repentance – Words of Change

When you become familiar with “Christian lingo,” you hear a lot of big words that essentially mean change. Here are some key biblical terms (with their KJV wording) closely associated with the idea of change, and why they’re important:

Repentance:

In the New Testament, the word repent literally means “to change one’s mind.” But it’s more than just thinking differently – true repentance is a change of heart that leads to a change in action.

• Jesus’ message began with, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). To repent is to do a 180° turn – turning away from sin and toward God.
• For example, in Acts 2:38 Peter told the crowd, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”

This was the first step of change for a new believer. Without repentance, there is no real change, just superficial window dressing.

• But with repentance, even the worst sins can be forgiven and times of refreshing can come from the Lord (Acts 3:19).

Conversion:

This word basically means turning or changing direction. When someone is “converted,” they have changed from one state to another.

• Jesus even told Peter, “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32), referring to the change in Peter after his failure and restoration.

In a salvation sense, conversion is often paired with repentance – you repent and are converted to Christ. It implies a new allegiance.

Paul (Saul) was dramatically converted on the road to Damascus, changing from a persecutor of Jesus to a preacher for Jesus. (More on Paul later!)

Regeneration / New Birth:

• The Bible speaks of being "born again" (John 3:3). That's a radical change – as dramatic as being born a second time!
• Titus 3:5 says God saved us “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Regeneration literally means re-genesis, a new beginning given by God. It's that moment of spiritual rebirth when God gives us a new nature. We go from spiritual death to life.

Jesus told Nicodemus that without being born again, one cannot see the kingdom of God. So, becoming a Christian isn't just adopting a religion; it's undergoing a spiritual rebirth.

Sanctification:

This is a big word that essentially means being made holy or set apart for God. Think of it as the ongoing process of change after our initial conversion.

When you come to Christ, you're justified (declared righteous) instantly – that's a change of status. But sanctification is the day-by-day, year-by-year work of the Holy Spirit in us to actually make us righteous in practice, to shape our character. It’s often gradual.

• 2 Corinthians 3:18 describes it beautifully: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

In other words, as we keep our eyes on Jesus, the Holy Spirit is transforming us from one degree of glory to the next into Jesus’ likeness. It's like a spiritual growth spurt that lasts a lifetime.

Renewal:

The idea of renewal is sprinkled throughout Scripture. To renew means to refresh or make new again. When we feel spiritually drained or stuck in old patterns, God invites us to be renewed.

• Romans 12:2 famously says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

That tells us two things: one, we shouldn’t be molded by the world's patterns, and two, our minds need renewal (a change in how we think) so that our whole life can be transformed.

The Greek word for “transformed” there is metamorphoo, the root of our word metamorphosis.

Think of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly – that’s metamorphosis, a total change from the inside out! The Bible says our mind – the way we think and perceive – needs that kind of metamorphosis by God's Word.

• Ephesians 4:23 echoes this, urging us to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”

We all need our thought life overhauled by God’s truth, because how we think directs how we live.

“Put Off” and “Put On”:

This is very much a change vocabulary in the New Testament. Believers are instructed to put off the old self and put on the new. It’s like changing out of filthy clothes into clean, new attire.

• Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation (conduct) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
• Similarly, Colossians 3:9-10 says “ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”

This is both a status (in Christ, our old identity is gone, and we are new) and a daily choice (we actively reject old sinful ways and choose to live in the new way of Christ).

Every morning when you get dressed, it can be a little reminder: “As I put on this shirt, I choose to put on Christlike attitudes today.”

Those are some heavy concepts, but notice they all carry the idea of change from an old state to a new one:

• From sin to righteousness.
• From unbelief to faith.
• From old creation to new creation.
• From fleshly thinking to renewed mind.
• From our way to God's way.

And the power behind all this is God’s Spirit and grace, not just our effort. We cooperate by faith and obedience, but He’s the master artist changing the canvas of our lives.

God’s Call for Believers to Embrace Change

So, does the Bible actually tell Christians to change? You bet it does – and not just as a one-time thing, but as a lifestyle. Being a follower of Jesus means entering a life of ongoing transformation.

Here are some clear instructions and encouragements from Scripture about the changes we should seek:

“Be Not Conformed… But Be Transformed” (Romans 12:2):

We mentioned this verse above regarding renewing the mind, but let’s linger a moment.

• “And be not conformed to this world” – that’s a command not to blend in with the patterns and values that society (apart from God) pressures us into.

• Instead, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This is practically a battle cry for positive change.

It's like God saying: "Don't copy the behaviors of the world. Let Me change the way you think. I'll turn that caterpillar into a butterfly."

How? Primarily through His Word. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture and prayer, the Holy Spirit renovates our mindset.

The result is that we begin to “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” In other words, we start to discern and live out God’s will.

“Put Off the Old, Put On the New” (Ephesians 4:22-24):

This passage is so important to Christian ethics. It tells us to throw away our old sinful habits and adopt the new ways of Christ. It's not automatic – it’s something we’re told to do, empowered by the Spirit.

Verses right after give examples: stop lying and start speaking truth, stop stealing and start working and giving, put away bitterness and forgive others, etc.

Change is often two-fold: removing the bad and replacing it with the good. If you've ever tried to break a bad habit, you know it's easier when you replace it with a good habit. The Bible essentially taught that principle long ago!

“Grow in Grace” (2 Peter 3:18):

• Peter ends his second epistle with “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Growth means change – a plant that grows changes form, size, maturity. God doesn’t want us to stay spiritual babies; He wants us to grow up (see also 1 Peter 2:2, desiring the milk of the Word so we grow).

As we get to know Jesus more and lean on His grace, we find ourselves changing for the better over time.

It's a process – sometimes slow, sometimes with growth spurts – but it’s a journey of becoming more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient (sound familiar? that’s the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23).

“Lay Aside Every Weight” (Hebrews 12:1-2):

While not using the word "change," this exhortation paints a vivid picture of shedding the old hindrances.

• “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run... looking unto Jesus.”

If you imagine running a race, you want to drop anything heavy or entangling. The Christian life is like a race, and repentance is like unloading those bricks from your backpack so you can run freely.

We all have some "weights" – maybe old habits, attitudes, or distractions – that God is nudging us to let go of. When we do, we experience new freedom.

“Be Holy in All Manner of Conversation” (1 Peter 1:14-16):

Conversation in the KJV means conduct or lifestyle.

• Peter says, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy.”

“Not fashioning yourselves according to former lusts” is another way of saying, don’t slip back into your old ways of living to please your desires.

That implies a change has taken place – you used to live one way, now you live another way. God’s nature (holy) is now the pattern for our new way of life, instead of the world’s pattern.

That’s a high calling! Thankfully, God also provides the power to move in that direction.

Renewing and Cleansing by the Word:

• Ephesians 5:26 speaks of Christ sanctifying the church “with the washing of water by the word.”
• And Psalm 119:9 asks, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

These verses remind us that Scripture is key in effecting change. As we read, study, and apply the Bible, it’s like taking a spiritual shower – it cleans up our thinking and our living.

Ever read a verse and felt convicted to change something in your life? That’s the Word doing its work, prompting us to become more like Christ.

It’s worth emphasizing: Christian change is not about self-improvement for our own pride, but about becoming who God intends us to be for His glory and our good.

And we’re not left alone in this – God’s Spirit is our helper.

Philippians 2:12-13 encourages us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” which means put effort into living out your saved life; then it adds, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” So, we work because God is at work in us! What a partnership.

Maybe take a moment and reflect: What "old self" traits is God asking you to put off? And what "new self" traits is He asking you to put on in their place?

It could be an attitude like trading anger for kindness, or an action like turning off the toxic TV show and spending that time in prayer. Remember, every small step of obedience is part of the big transformation God is doing in you.

Stories of Changed Lives in the Bible

Theory is great, but I love seeing real examples. The Bible is full of people who experienced amazing changes when they encountered God. Their stories give us hope that no one is beyond God's transforming power. Here are a few favorites:

Paul (Saul of Tarsus):

Possibly the most famous conversion in the New Testament. Saul was a fierce persecutor of Christians – he literally dragged believers off to prison. He was adamant that this new “Jesus sect” was wrong.

But in Acts 9, on his way to arrest Christians in Damascus, the risen Jesus appeared to him in a blinding light.

Talk about a life-altering encounter! Saul was blinded for three days, and when he regained sight, he was a changed man. He was baptized, began preaching Christ, and became known as Paul, the apostle.

• Later he wrote, “I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy” (1 Timothy 1:13).
• People who heard about his conversion said, “He which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed” (Galatians 1:23).

If God can change a murderer into a missionary, He can change anyone! Paul's life shows that no sin is too great, no heart too hard, for Jesus to transform.

Peter:

Ah, Peter – one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, and a relatable guy for many of us. Peter had some big ups and downs. He went from boldly declaring he would never deny Jesus, to tragically denying Him three times in one night.

• But after Jesus rose from the dead, He mercifully restored Peter (see John 21, where Jesus asks Peter three times “Do you love me?” and commissions him to feed His sheep – undoing the three denials).

• In the book of Acts, we see a new Peter: bold, humble, and solid. The man who cowered before a servant girl later preached to thousands at Pentecost, stood up to the Sanhedrin, and even rejoiced to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ sake.

What changed? Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and had witnessed the power of the resurrection. He went from fearful fisherman to courageous leader.

• Peter still had learning moments (see Galatians 2 where Paul had to correct him once), but over time he became a pillar of the early church.

His two epistles show a mature, tender-hearted shepherd. God never gave up on Peter, and He doesn’t give up on us either. He sees our potential and patiently works on us.

Moses:

In the Old Testament, Moses’ life can be seen in terms of distinct “phases,” each marked by change. He started as a prince in Egypt, then became a fugitive and humble shepherd for 40 years.

When God called him from the burning bush to go lead Israel out of slavery, Moses was a very different man than the confident young prince he once was.

He actually hesitated and felt unqualified, but God empowered him. Moses eventually transformed into the great leader and lawgiver of Israel – the man who faced down Pharaoh, parted the Red Sea (by God’s power), and received the Ten Commandments.

• Along the way, his character was refined (the hot-headed Moses who killed an Egyptian became “very meek, above all men” according to Numbers 12:3).

• By the end of his life, Moses was so intimate with God that his face literally shone with God’s glory after spending time in God’s presence (Exodus 34:29)!

His story shows that God can draw us out of one situation and prepare us for a totally new calling. It might take time (Moses was 80 when he finally headed back to Egypt to confront Pharaoh), but God’s timing is perfect.

Mary Magdalene:

• From the New Testament, Mary Magdalene is a beautiful example of a changed life. The Gospels tell us Jesus cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:2).

We can only imagine the torment and brokenness she must have experienced before Jesus freed her. After that deliverance, Mary’s life did a 180. She became one of Jesus’ faithful followers, even supporting His ministry.

• She was present at the crucifixion when most of the disciples fled. And she was the first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection (John 20:14-18).

Mary went from deep bondage to being the first witness of the risen Lord. Talk about reversal! Her devotion shows how encountering Jesus can turn despair into hope.

Others:

We could go on and on – the Bible is basically a gallery of transformed lives.

• Zacchaeus, the greedy tax collector, met Jesus and suddenly “half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold” (Luke 19:8). That’s a changed man!
• The Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5) was a wild man living in tombs, breaking chains, crying out – until Jesus freed him. Next thing, people saw him “sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind.”
• The woman at the well (John 4) went from shame and isolation to boldly running into town saying, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” She became an evangelist to those who once shunned her.

The common thread in all these stories: an encounter with God’s grace produces change. Sometimes the change is immediate and dramatic, other times it's gradual and lifelong, but it's always remarkable.

Whenever you feel discouraged about yourself (“Will I ever change? I keep messing up!”), remember these stories. God is still in the business of changing lives today. He’s writing your story too.

Blessings That Come from God-Ordained Change

Yes, change can be hard – but when it’s God-ordained change, there are blessings on the other side that make it all worth it. Let's consider some of the benefits and blessings the Bible associates with godly change:

Freedom and Healing:

• When we repent and turn to God, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

Think of the burden Christian felt in Pilgrim’s Progress falling off his back at the cross – that’s the relief of a life changed by Christ.

• Jesus said, “ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Changing our lives to line up with God’s truth liberates us from the bondage of lies and sin. Many of us can testify that when God helped us let go of a sinful habit or forgave us, we felt a weight lifted.

Forgiveness and obedience bring a sense of peace and wholeness that nothing else can.

“Times of Refreshing”:

• The apostle Peter preached that if people would repent and be converted, “your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). I love that phrase – times of refreshing.

It evokes the image of a cool rain after a drought or a breeze on a hot day. Turning to God brings refreshing to our souls. Who doesn't want that?

Often we fear giving up our old ways, but once we do, we wonder why we waited so long because the refreshment God gives is so much better than the misery of clinging to sin.

God’s Guidance and Purpose:

One huge blessing of aligning with God’s change in our lives is that we step into the purpose He has for us.

• Proverbs 3:5-6, a beloved passage, urges us to trust in the Lord and not lean on our understanding, and “He shall direct thy paths.”

When we allow God to redirect us (which is what repentance and surrender are), He leads us into fruitful paths. That might mean a new mission, new relationships, or new character qualities.

• Ephesians 2:10 says we are created in Christ Jesus “unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

How cool is it that God has pre-planned good works for us to do? If we resist His changes, we might miss out. But if we embrace His leading, we get to walk in those pre-prepared adventures and make an eternal impact.

Peace and Joy:

• Changing to follow Jesus yields peace. Isaiah 26:3 promises, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
• When we shift our mindset (there’s that change again) to focus on God, we experience His peace guarding our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7).
• Also, the kingdom of God is described as “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17).

Many people think living for God is dreary because you have to "give up" certain pleasures.

But ask any believer who has walked with Jesus: the joy and deep satisfaction that come from living in harmony with God far outweigh the fleeting pleasures of sin they left behind.

God doesn't ask us to change to ruin our fun; He does it to set us free to experience real and lasting joy.

Spiritual Maturity and Stability:

As we undergo God’s changes, we become more stable and mature individuals.

• Jesus likened those who hear His words and do them to a wise man who built his house on a rock (Matthew 7:24-25).

The storms came, but the house stood firm. Who doesn’t want that kind of stability? Each step of obedience, each change we make in line with God’s word, is like laying another brick on that rock-solid foundation.

Over time, you become someone who isn’t easily shaken by life’s trials, because your character has been fortified.

• James 1:2-4 trial -> perseverance (not exactly "change" but growth).
• Actually James 1:2-4 says that the testing of our faith produces patience, and when patience has its perfect work, we become “perfect and entire, wanting nothing” – essentially spiritually mature.

That maturity is a blessing not only to ourselves but to everyone around us.

Eternal Rewards:

Finally, let’s not forget the eternal perspective. The changes God works in us now have ripple effects into eternity. There are promises of reward for faithfulness.

• Paul, at the end of his life, said “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Finishing the race implies he kept on the path God had set (with all its course corrections and changes along the way).

• And Jesus talked about being faithful in little leading to being entrusted with much in God’s kingdom (Matthew 25:21).

While we don’t change for the sake of earning something (our salvation is a free gift), God in His grace chooses to reward the growth and obedience of His children.

Imagine hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That will make every difficult change we embraced on earth so worth it!

In short, embracing God’s changes leads to life – abundant life now and everlasting life to come.

Proverbs 3:7-8 says to turn from evil and fear the Lord, and “it shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”

There is a wholeness and health that comes from aligning with God’s ways. Sometimes we only realize in hindsight how a change we dreaded was actually a huge blessing in disguise.

Maybe you can think of a time when God pushed you out of your comfort zone, and later you were so glad He did.

If you're sensing God leading you to make a change today (big or small), be encouraged: His plans for you are good, and there are blessings waiting on the other side of your obedience.

Symbols and Metaphors of Change in the Bible

The Bible is not a dry textbook; it's rich with imagery and metaphors that teach spiritual truths. To communicate the concept of change, Scripture often uses tangible symbols. These pictures stick in our minds and speak to our hearts. Let’s explore a few powerful images:

Changing Garments (New Clothes):

One common biblical metaphor for personal change is changing clothes. Dirty or old garments represent our sinful, former life; a fresh change of clothes represents forgiveness and new life.

• In Zechariah 3:3-5, the high priest Joshua is shown wearing filthy garments (symbolizing Israel’s sin) and the Lord says, “Take away the filthy garments from him... behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.”

They put rich, clean clothes on him, signifying God cleansing and restoring His people.

• Likewise, Isaiah 61:10 rejoices, “He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.”

When the prodigal son returned home, the father said, "Bring out the best robe and put it on him." How cool is that? A wardrobe change = a life change!

This imagery reinforces that our righteousness is something God clothes us with when we turn to Him, not something we had on our own.

And as mentioned earlier, the New Testament urges us to "put off" the old self and "put on" the new – literally like taking off an old coat and putting on a new one.

Every time you change clothes, it's a little reminder of the spiritual exchange God made possible: our sin for Christ’s righteousness (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Seasons:

If you live in a place with four seasons, you know how the landscape changes from spring to summer to autumn to winter and back again. The Bible uses the cycle of seasons to hint at life's changes and God's faithfulness.

• “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

That beautiful poem in Ecclesiastes 3 lists a time to plant and uproot, to weep and laugh, to mourn and dance, etc. It reminds us that life has rhythms. If you're in a tough season, take heart that a new season will come. God often works in seasons of growth and seasons of pruning in our lives too.

• Another verse, Daniel 2:21, as we noted, says God “changeth the times and the seasons.”

This shows His sovereignty. Even when life changes unexpectedly – like a sudden "winter" of the soul – God is still in control and can bring a "spring" out of it.

• Jesus also told us to observe the fig tree: when its leaves come, you know summer is near (Luke 21:29-30).

That was about recognizing the times spiritually. So, seasons teach us about patience (some changes take time) and hope (barren trees can bloom again).

New Wine in New Wineskins:

• Jesus gave this metaphor in Luke 5:37-39 (also in Matthew and Mark). He said you don't put new wine into old wineskins, otherwise the old skins will burst and both wine and skins are lost.

New wine must be put into new wineskins. What was He talking about?

Essentially, the newness of His message and the kingdom could not be contained in the old forms of legalistic Judaism that the Pharisees clung to. It was a call for a new container (like grace, new covenant) for the new wine (the gospel).

How does this apply to us? Sometimes, God wants to do a new thing in our lives, but we’re trying to fit it into old molds.

For example, you might try to live the Christian life (new wine) while still hanging on to your old attitudes or methods (old wineskin). It just won’t work well; eventually things “burst.”

This metaphor encourages us to be flexible and open to the new ways God might work.

Don't we all sometimes resist change because we like our old comfortable ways?

Jesus challenges that: if we want the new wine of His presence and work, we need to let Him give us new wineskins – a renewed mindset, new practices, maybe even new life structures – to hold that blessing. The result is preservation and joy in both.

Metamorphosis (Butterflies):

• While the Bible doesn’t mention butterflies explicitly, the concept of metamorphosis is biblical (as noted with the word transformed in Romans 12:2).

We can borrow the butterfly as a modern illustration: a caterpillar enters a cocoon and emerges as a butterfly – totally transformed. This is like a physical parable of becoming a new creature in Christ and the renewing of our minds.

It’s a process – the caterpillar might say “I feel like my whole world is ending” as it wraps in a cocoon, but in fact a wonderful new phase is beginning. If you feel like you're in a dark cocoon of change, take heart – God might be preparing you to fly higher than ever.

The Potter and Clay:

In Jeremiah 18:1-6, God sent Jeremiah to a potter’s house. The potter was shaping a clay vessel, but it became marred in his hands, so he remade it into another vessel as he saw fit.

• God then said, “O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? ... behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand.”

What a picture! We are the clay; God is the potter. Clay is meant to be shaped and changed by the potter's hand. It’s not always comfortable for the clay (if clay had feelings), but the end result is something useful and beautiful.

Sometimes we might feel like our life is spinning on the wheel, but God's hands are there, forming us. It’s a reminder to stay moldable. The worst thing clay can do is harden and resist – that leads to it being broken.

Pliable clay, though, can be fashioned into a masterpiece. This image teaches us to pray, “Lord, have your way; shape me as you will,” even when we don’t understand the process.

Pruning and Growth (Vine and Branches):

• Jesus said in John 15:1-5 that He is the true vine and we are the branches. The Father is the gardener who prunes the branches so they will bear more fruit.

Pruning = cutting off some shoots or leaves; it's a picture of the necessary "cuts" God makes in our lives – maybe the removal of certain things we hold dear, or discipline to cut away sin. It's a change that can be painful, but its purpose is more growth and fruit.

• Hebrews 12:11 affirms this: “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.”

If you’re going through a pruning season, it might hurt a bit, but God is preparing you to be even more fruitful.

Harvest (Sowing and Reaping):

Change is also implied in the farming metaphors. You sow a seed, and with time and the right conditions, it changes (germinates) and grows into a plant that bears fruit.

• Jesus spoke of the grain of wheat: “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24).

The seed “dying” is a change that leads to a fruitful change. For us, that often means dying to ourselves or our old ways so that God’s new life can spring up in us.

• Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to grow weary in well-doing, “for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

The waiting between sowing and reaping is the change process in action, even if unseen under the soil. It teaches patience and faith in God’s timing.

All these images – clothing, seasons, wine, potter, vine, harvest – carry a common theme: God brings change in His people to bring about something new and good.

They also invite us to reflect:

• Are we wearing any "old garments" that we need to discard for the clean clothes God offers?
• Are we recognizing the spiritual season we’re in and God’s purpose in it?
• Are we flexible wineskins for the new things God wants to pour out?
• Are we allowing the Potter to have His way, or are we stiffening up?
• Are we submitting to the pruning, trusting more fruit will come?

It’s amazing how these metaphors speak to our personal journey. Sometimes a picture truly is worth a thousand words. Let these biblical images sink in and inspire you to say, “Yes, Lord, change me as you see fit.”

From Old to New: Patterns of Change from the Old Testament to the New

The theme of change isn't just for individuals – it's woven into the big story of the Bible as well. The Old Testament (OT) sets up patterns and promises that find their fulfillment (their big change or upgrade, you might say) in the New Testament (NT).

Here are a few significant ways the Bible itself moves from "old" to "new," reflecting God's unfolding plan:

Old Covenant to New Covenant:

The word “testament” essentially means covenant. The Old Testament is largely about the old covenant (the Law given through Moses to Israel), and the New Testament is about the new covenant (grace and truth through Jesus Christ).

• Hebrews 8:13 says, “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”
• God had promised this change centuries before: “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel” (Jeremiah 31:31).

Unlike the old covenant, which was written on stone tablets, the new covenant would be written on hearts.

• God said, “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts” (Jer 31:33). This was fulfilled through Christ’s sacrifice and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
• When Jesus held up the cup at the Last Supper, He said, “This cup is the new testament in my blood” (Luke 22:20).

The change: A shift from external law-keeping (which we failed at) to internal transformation by the Spirit.

It's like going from having a hard stone tablet telling us what to do, to having God’s desires inscribed in our very being, empowering us to do His will.

The book of Hebrews goes into detail about how Jesus is a better high priest and mediator of a better covenant, essentially highlighting the wonderful changes in how we relate to God now.

Prophecies and Types Fulfilled in Christ:

The OT contains many types (foreshadowings) and prophecies that are fulfilled in the NT by Jesus. Each fulfillment is like a picture coming into full color.

For instance, all the animal sacrifices in the OT were a temporary measure (a “shadow”) pointing to the need for a perfect sacrifice.

• Then Jesus came as “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
• Hebrews 10:1,10 explains that the law’s sacrifices could never fully take away sins, “But we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
• The change: from many sacrifices to one final sacrifice; from continuous offerings to “It is finished” (John 19:30).
• Similarly, the priesthood changed – Hebrews 7:12 says, “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”

Jesus is our high priest now, not from the order of Aaron (from Levi) but after the order of Melchizedek (an eternal priesthood).

So, worship changed: no more earthly temple needed, because now our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) and we can worship God in spirit and truth anywhere (John 4:21-24). This is a huge change from the OT system.

New Heart and Spirit:

The OT prophets longed for a time when people would be transformed from within.

• Ezekiel 36:26-27 is a key promise: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you... I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes.”
• This finds fulfillment in the NT when the Holy Spirit is given to believers (starting at Pentecost, Acts 2).
• Romans 5:5 says “the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” and Galatians 4:6, “God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.”

So now, Christians actually have God’s Spirit living inside – something only select individuals experienced occasionally in the OT.

The change: from stone hearts to Spirit-filled hearts. This empowered the apostles and still empowers us to live righteously and with boldness. Remember Peter’s change? That was largely due to the indwelling Holy Spirit after Pentecost.

From Shadows to Reality (Christ):

Many specific OT stories or figures were types of Christ, meaning they foreshadowed aspects of Jesus’ person or work. When Jesus came, He changed the meaning of those stories by fulfilling them. For example:

Jonah:

Jonah’s three days in the fish foreshadowed Jesus’ three days in the tomb. Jesus explicitly linked them:

• “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40).

So the story of Jonah “changed” from just a prophet’s tale to a sign of the Messiah’s death and resurrection.

The Bronze Serpent:

In Numbers 21, Moses lifted up a bronze snake on a pole so that anyone bitten by poisonous snakes could look at it and be healed.

• In John 3:14-15, Jesus said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

The deeper meaning of that event was revealed – it was a picture of Christ being lifted on the cross to save us.

Temple Veil:

• When Jesus died, the veil of the Jerusalem temple was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).

That curtain had for ages symbolized separation between God’s holiness and man (only the high priest could pass it once a year).

With it torn, the symbolism was clear: access to God was now open through Jesus. The whole priestly system had reached its fulfillment; things had changed.

• Hebrews 10:19-20 says we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, “by a new and living way” opened for us through the veil, which is His flesh.

Inclusivity of the Gentiles:

In the OT, God’s covenant was primarily with Israel, though He always had a heart for the nations.

• The NT reveals the “mystery” that the Gentiles are now included as fellow heirs in Christ (Ephesians 3:6).

This was a big change and a bit of a shock for Jewish believers in the early church! They had to adapt to the idea that one didn’t need to become Jewish or follow the old ceremonial laws to be part of God’s people – they just needed faith in Christ.

• This is illustrated in Acts 10 when Peter sees a vision that leads him to preach to Cornelius, a Gentile, and God pours out the Holy Spirit on them too.
• Peter exclaims, “God hath also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18).

The change: the people of God are now defined by faith in Jesus, not ethnicity or adherence to the Sinai law.

• This fulfilled the promise to Abraham that “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

New Creation to Come:

• The Bible ends with a promise of the ultimate change: “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5).
• There will be a new heaven and new earth, where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13).
• The curse of sin will be fully lifted – no more death, sorrow, or pain (Revelation 21:4).

This is the glorious finale of God’s plan. Everything broken will be restored or remade. It’s like the entire cosmos goes through a death and resurrection. As Christians, we look forward to this with hope.

Every little change we allow God to do in us now is like a preview of the big change to come.

• We are already called “new creatures” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and one day even our bodies and the world around us will catch up to that spiritual reality.

When you step back, you see a pattern: God moves His people from the old to the new, from promise to fulfillment, from shadow to substance.

The New Testament doesn’t erase the Old but rather transforms our understanding of it by showing us the full picture in Jesus. It’s like seeing the before-and-after of a grand masterpiece being painted through history.

For us personally, this means we’re part of something much bigger. The changes in our individual lives are a microcosm of God’s grand story of renewal.

We’ve gone from being in the “old humanity” in Adam (with sin and death ruling) to being in the “new humanity” in Christ (with righteousness and life).

• Paul actually calls Jesus the “last Adam” and contrasts: “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).
• We have changed realms: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13).

Think of that word "translated" – like being picked up and moved to a new place. Spiritually, we've had a change of address!

So, whenever you read the Bible, notice these shifts and fulfillments. They reveal a God who authors change wisely and purposefully.

He’s not making it up as He goes; it was His plan all along to grow and guide His people from infancy (OT times) to maturity (NT revelation) – and one day to glory (when Christ returns).

Knowing this gives us confidence that the changes He is working in our lives are also according to His loving plan.

• As Philippians 1:6 says, “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” The God who orchestrated the ages is faithfully orchestrating our personal journey, from old to new.

Conclusion: Embracing God’s Transforming Work

Change is rarely easy. Sometimes it's downright uncomfortable. But as we've seen, change is at the heart of the Christian journey – and it's something to welcome, not fear, when God is the one initiating it.

Perhaps you’re feeling a tug in your heart after reading all these scriptures and examples. I know it challenges me!

The Bible's message is clear: we're not stuck. In Christ, we can be different than we were. We are being made different, day by day, by the Spirit.

What’s our part? It's to yield to God's work in us. To say, like Isaiah, “Here am I, send me” – or in this context, "Change me!"

It’s to cooperate with the Holy Spirit by praying, confessing, making choices in line with God’s Word, even when it's hard.

It's trusting that God knows what He's doing in our lives, just as He knew what He was doing throughout history, turning crucifixion Friday into resurrection Sunday!

If He can turn a bloody cross into an empty tomb, He can turn your sorrow into joy, your weakness into strength, your messy story into a message of grace.

A relatable, personal reflection: I remember a season in my life where I was clinging to an old habit and mindset that I knew God wanted me to change. I was afraid – who would I be without this crutch?

But through prayer and some loving accountability from friends, I gradually let God peel my fingers off that old thing. It was humbling and a bit painful, like that pruning we talked about.

But on the other side, I found a freedom and closeness with God I had been missing out on. In hindsight, I wish I’d surrendered sooner. Maybe you have a similar story, or maybe you're at that crossroads of change right now.

• If so, be encouraged by Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid... for the LORD thy God is with thee.”

God doesn’t ask us to walk through change alone; He goes with us every step, like a loving parent helping a child learn to walk.

Let’s also remember that change in the Christian life is not just a solo project; it's something we do in community. We can encourage each other, share our testimonies, and bear one another’s burdens.

When you see someone else’s life changed by Christ, doesn’t it just boost your own faith?

So, share your victories and even your struggles with fellow believers. We’re all on this journey of transformation together, being built up as a spiritual house.

To wrap up, here are a few practical encouragements as you embrace God’s transforming work:

• Stay in the Word: Let the Bible renew your mind daily. Even a few verses a day, consistently, can realign your thinking over time.
• Pray for a willing heart: Sometimes we have to pray, “Lord, make me willing to change.” He will work in you “to will and to do” as Philippians says.
• Take small steps: You don't have to overhaul your life in one week. Focus on one area God is highlighting. Maybe it’s dedicating the first 15 minutes of your morning to prayer instead of phone-scrolling (small change, big impact!). Or reaching out to reconcile with that person you had a falling out with.
• Remember who you are in Christ: You’re not changing to become God’s child; you’re changing because you are God’s child. He has already given you a new identity (“a new creature”). Now it’s about living out what is already true spiritually.
• Don’t give up: If you stumble, confess it, get back up by God’s grace, and keep going. Change is a process. Like a toddler learning to walk, there will be some falls. Your Heavenly Father is not angry; He’s cheering you on to get up and try again.

Finally, imagine the day when all of God’s people stand together in the fully renewed creation, our journey complete.

We’ll be able to look at each other in our perfected state and marvel, “Wow, look how far God has brought us!”

And most of all, we’ll look at Jesus, our Savior, who made it all possible by His death and resurrection, and we'll cast any crowns at His feet (Revelation 4:10-11), acknowledging that He is the author of every good change in us.

Until that day, we press on, being transformed from glory to glory. May you and I continue to embrace the changes Jesus wants to make in us.

After all, as someone wisely said, God loves you just as you are, but He refuses to leave you that way – He wants you to be just like Jesus. Amen to that!

---

Citations

• Malachi 3:6 (KJV) – “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (God’s unchanging nature)
• James 1:17 (KJV) – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (God does not change like shifting shadows)
• Hebrews 13:8 (KJV) – “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Christ’s immutability)
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (Believers are a new creation in Christ)
• Romans 1:25 (KJV) – “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator...” (Example of negative change – idolatry)
• Proverbs 24:21 (KJV) – “My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change.” (Warning against associating with rebellious change-makers)
• Jeremiah 13:23 (KJV) – “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? [then] may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” (Humans can’t change their sinful nature without God)
• Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV) – “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (Change and seasons of life)
• Psalm 102:26 (KJV) – “They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.” (Creation will wear out and change, but God remains)
• 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (KJV) – “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump.” (Believers’ future transformation at the resurrection)
• Philippians 3:21 (KJV) – “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body...” (Jesus will transform our bodies in glory)
• Acts 2:38 (KJV) – “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...” (Call to repentance and conversion)
• Acts 3:19 (KJV) – “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Repentance brings forgiveness and “times of refreshing”)
• Luke 22:32 (KJV) – “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Jesus to Peter, hinting at Peter’s change and restoration)
• John 3:3 (KJV) – “Jesus answered... Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (Necessity of new birth)
• Titus 3:5 (KJV) – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Regeneration and renewal by the Spirit)
• 2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV) – “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (Sanctification – being transformed into Christ’s image by the Spirit)
• Romans 12:2 (KJV) – “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind...” (Command to resist worldly mold, undergo mind renewal and transformation)
• Ephesians 4:22-24 (KJV) – “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt... And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Instruction to change by putting off the old self and putting on the new self in Christ)
• Colossians 3:9-10 (KJV) – “Ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” (Believers have a new identity to live out, renewed in knowledge of God)
• 2 Peter 3:18 (KJV) – “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Exhortation to continual growth – implying change)
• Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) – “...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Call to cast off hindrances – change for the sake of running the race well)
• 1 Peter 1:14-15 (KJV) – “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” (Do not conform to past sinful ways; be changed to holiness)
• Psalm 51:10 (KJV) – “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (David’s prayer for inner change and renewal after sin)
• Galatians 1:23 (KJV) – “But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.” (Testimony of Paul’s dramatic change)
• 1 Timothy 1:13 (KJV) – “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy...” (Paul reflecting on the change in his life by God’s mercy)
• Luke 19:8-9 (KJV) – “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor...” (Zacchaeus’ changed behavior as evidence of repentance and salvation)
• Mark 5:15 (KJV) – “And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil... sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind.” (The delivered demoniac’s drastic change)
• John 4:28-29 (KJV) – “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (The Samaritan woman immediately changed from avoiding people to evangelizing to people)
• Acts 9:20-21 (KJV) – “And straightway [Saul] preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem?” (Amazement at Paul’s conversion)
• Romans 8:28 (KJV) – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (God works through changes and all circumstances for good)
• Isaiah 61:10 (KJV) – “...he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.” (Salvation depicted as a change of garments)
• Zechariah 3:3-4 (KJV) – “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments... And [the angel] answered... Take away the filthy garments from him... behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.” (Symbolic vision of God removing sin and giving clean clothing)
• Isaiah 61:3 (KJV) – “...to give unto them... the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” (God exchanging our sorrows for joy – metaphor of garment)
• Daniel 2:21 (KJV) – “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings.” (God’s sovereignty over historical changes)
• Luke 5:37-38 (KJV) – “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles... But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.” (The need for new wineskins for new wine – metaphor for embracing new ways with the gospel)
• Jeremiah 18:4,6 (KJV) – “And the vessel that he made of clay was marred... so he made it again another vessel... O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD.” (God as potter who can remold us – willingness to be changed)
• John 15:2 (KJV) – “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth (prunes) it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (God’s pruning for greater growth)
• Hebrews 12:11 (KJV) – “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous... nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” (Discipline leads to righteous fruit – short-term pain, long-term gain)
• John 12:24 (KJV) – “...except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (The need for a kind of death/change to produce fruit – applied to Jesus and to us)
• Hebrews 8:13 (KJV) – “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old...” (New Covenant replacing the Old Covenant)
• Jeremiah 31:31,33 (KJV) – “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant... I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.” (Prophecy of the New Covenant internal change)
• Luke 22:20 (KJV) – “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Jesus instituting the New Covenant)
• Hebrews 10:1, 10 (KJV) – “For the law having a shadow of good things to come... we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Christ’s sacrifice changes the need for repeated sacrifices)
• Ezekiel 36:26-27 (KJV) – “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you... And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes.” (Promise of inner change by the Holy Spirit)
• Acts 2:4 (KJV) – “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost...” (Fulfillment of the Spirit being given – Pentecost)
• Galatians 3:28 (KJV) – “There is neither Jew nor Greek... for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (New unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ)
• Acts 10:45 (KJV) – “...on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Gentiles brought into the covenant blessings, showing a change in redemptive history)
• Revelation 21:5 (KJV) – “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” (God’s promise of ultimately renewing everything)
• Philippians 1:6 (KJV) – “Being confident... that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (God will faithfully complete the change/transformation He started in us)
• Colossians 1:13 (KJV) – “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” (Believers have been transferred from one domain to another)
• 1 Corinthians 15:22 (KJV) – “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (Contrast of being in Adam vs. in Christ – an identity change with salvation)
• Joshua 1:9 (KJV) – “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid... for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Encouragement as we face changes or new challenges)
• Philippians 2:12-13 (KJV) – “...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Our responsibility in change and God’s power behind it)
• 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV) – “I have fought a good fight... I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness...” (Paul reflecting on finishing his course – completing the journey of faithfulness)
• Matthew 25:21 (KJV) – “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant... enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Reward for faithful service)
• Isaiah 26:3 (KJV) – “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (The peace that comes from a mind changed to focus on God)
• Romans 5:5 (KJV) – “...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (The Spirit given to us – inner change agent)
• Galatians 4:6 (KJV) – “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (New relationship and heart posture due to the indwelling Spirit)
• Revelation 4:10-11 (KJV) – “The four and twenty elders fall down before him... and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power...” (In the end, God gets all the glory for every victory and change)