I’ve accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, yet I still have some old negative traits that keep showing up in my life. Did I get saved or am I doing something wrong?
When we accept Jesus as our Savior, the new birth takes place. Our spirit is born-again. The born-again experience does not affect your soul (mind, emotions, will, intellect) where those negative traits are imbedded within you.
The only way for you to overcome these traits can be found in this Scripture:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
(Rom. 12:1-2 NKJ)
We are not transformed (changed) by the new birth, but we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. The only way for Christians to be changed, and negative personality traits removed from their lives, is by the renewing of their minds. This is a process that takes time.
If we consistently follow verses one and two, God, in time, will change us. “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6 NKJ).
Keep renewing your mind with the Word of God, and with time spent in the presence of God. He will complete the work in you and the day will come when those negative traits are no longer in you.
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Joe Cameneti Sr. is the lead pastor of Believers Church, located in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. Pastor Joe, along with his wife Gina, pioneered Believers Church in 1983 following his graduation from Bible School.
In addition to leading a thriving local church, Pastor Joe is the host of a weekly show called "BCTV." The program is aired locally on WFMJ, the NBC affiliate, reaching thousands weekly.
Pastor Joe is a gifted communicator, skilled in the art of building bridges to unchurched America. Transparent and authentic, you'll walk away challenged and encouraged to connect with God in a deeper way.