My best friend has been experiencing breathing problems for the last few months, and when they finally were able to see the doctor, they were instructed to call the doctor after the prescribed medicine was finished. The doctor wanted to know if my friend was any different after the treatment. This is important because if they weren’t different, then the breathing issue could be something more severe, something that wasn’t treated by the medicine. It’s up to my friend to be able to accurately determine if they were different after taking the medicine. We may all have to go through an analysis of how we are feeling after a round of medicine at some point in our lives, but as Christians, it would be wise for us to do a similar assessment on our spiritual lives. Are we different now, after hearing about Jesus and receiving the truth?

“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.” (Ephesians 4:21-24)

“With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.” (Ephesians 4:17-19)

“‘So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.’” (Matthew 6:31-33)

“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)

The Scriptures are abundantly clear that we should be different after receiving the knowledge and truth of Jesus Christ, but we need to be able to accurately determine if we are different. Do you still choose the things listed in Galatians 5:19-21 or Ephesians 4:17-19? Do you find yourself worrying about the things of daily life, like what you will eat or wear or whether God will provide for you? Jesus said these are things unbelievers think about. Do a self-analysis and ask: am I different now?

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.