When are they going to change

You cannot force people to change and you can’t change people. The only thing you can do is intercede on their behalf in prayer and be an example. Consider how hard it is to change yourself now picture trying to change someone. Most people don’t think they have any issues or that anything is wrong with them. Some know they have issues but are too fearful to even reflect why. Some, will continue to blame others “it’s not me, its them” “she trippin” “He got issues I just reacted” “I’m a remote control, they push my buttons and I do whatever they want.”

There are so many books out there that tell us to act a certain way or do something and it will make another person do what we want them to do. The last time I checked that was called manipulation. Now some of those books are great because in retrospect we change our own behaviors. I.E. Raising Standards; Helps us learn what we want and what we don’t want. Let’s look at it this way. How could I change Joe’s behavior because of a book that I read? Whether Joes issue is stealing, lying, cheating or whatever he isn’t going to stop these things because a book that I read said to ignore him until he changes. Ignoring someone is nothing but a power trip and it’s immature. He is going to stop because he wants too. You cannot bank on someone else’s change based on your own manipulative ways.

Let’s use Salvation as an example, you can plant the seed and tell someone about Jesus but you can’t make someone feel Jesus in their heart. It’s a process, the same goes for reading the bible. I did not want to make changes in my life until I encountered the Holy Spirit and needed instruction from the word. The bible is not used as a scope so you can see into other people’s lives and point out their issues, the bible is a mirror to look into your own life so you can make your own changes and show people the same Grace and Mercy God lavishes upon us. So before you cut another person off because they aren’t doing what you want, look at yourself. Don’t be so quick to condemn someone with your death sentence.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed . The prayer of a righteous person has a great power as it is working.” James 5:16