When reading the Bible, you should be able to recognize yourself in the verses you read. For example, in Psalm 15, a citizen of Zion [heaven] is described as walking with integrity, always speaking the truth with a sincere heart, living a blameless life, not slandering or speaking evil of neighbors and friends, not taking bribes or loaning money with interest, and honoring all those who fear the Lord. That's a really tough test! Did you pass? Why is it so hard? It’s hard because although God has delivered us and our hearts are new, our behaviors are not. We tend to carry residue of the world and our old behaviors with us. Peter understood this when he encouraged people and wrote…

"Dear brothers and sisters, you are foreigners and aliens here. So I warn you to keep away from evil desires because they fight against your very souls. Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when He comes to judge the world" (1 Peter 2:11-12 NLT).

What he was telling them (and us) is that they are actually foreigners or aliens to this world but that if they (we) live according to their citizenship in heaven, they would bring glory and honor to God. Well, how do we do this? As foreigners (or aliens) of this world, the first thing we must realize is…

"So think clearly and exercise self-control… Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God--who chose you to be His children--is holy" (1 Pet. 1:13-15 NLT).

There was a time when you and I didn’t know any better than to do what everybody else was doing, but now that we’ve been saved, God has changed us and given us new hearts. He is calling us to also change our behavior to live as the people He intended for us to be; and as we change our behaviors, we do not conform but are transformed.

Our hearts are new but our habits aren’t. They are like old ruts that we fall back into. When you find that you have slipped, the absolutely worst thing to do is to rationalize, defend, or blame others for your behavior. When we defend our bad behaviors, they tend to solidify within us. On the contrary, the passage above encourages us to stay true to God. So when you slip or fall, don’t give up or just go with it, get yourself out of the rut and cut a new path for yourself that is pleasing to God. As you continue to tread and practice this new path, when you fall back into an old one, you’ll find yourself saying, "That’s not me! I don’t want to be like that…." Eventually, there will come a time when your new path becomes the more comfortable one.

• THE BIBLE IS MY GUIDEBOOK.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalms 119:105).

Our first and primary identity is not what others say we are but what the Bible says we are. And while rationalizing and defending bad behaviors is the worst thing you can do, repenting is the best thing you can do. Why? Because repenting demonstrates a change of mind and heart, and with a different heart or attitude….

When we come to know Christ, we are no longer motivated by love of money or fear of punishment but out of love for Him. Some of us have come from churches that espouse the old way: the threat of punishment. They say things like, "If you are watching an R-rated movie when Jesus comes back, you are going to go to hell." It’s a scare tactic that was used to get people to comply. Fear might change behavior temporarily but in order for there to be permanent change, a change of heart or character is required. God always does everything in the best way. He changes us on the inside first, so that once our outside (behavior) changes, we are truly transformed. God paid the highest price -- His own blood, His son Jesus Christ -- for us because He loves us so much…

"So you must live in reverent fear of Him during your time as foreigners here on earth. For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom He paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God" (1 Pet. 1:17-19 NLT).

When you understand how deep and sacrificing His love is, how can you but want to love and serve Him? It is like when you love your Mom so much that you do not want to do anything to displease her. Just the thought of doing something that would displease the one you love makes your heart hurt. As men and women of God, that’s the kind of motivation that transforms us.

3. WE HAVE TO CHOOSE TO CHANGE.

At first, you’ll feel a big bump as you plow your way out of a rut. It is not easy; but over time you will develop another path and erode those old tendencies. The old habits will fall away because you are not using them. Instead you’ll see a new tendency. You’ll be thinking, "What would Jesus say in this situation?" You will be doing what you believe God wants you to do, and you’ll be transformed into the image of Christ. Does it take a while? Yes—sometimes. It’s not that we have an old heart. What we have are old tendencies dragging along with us for a while until we let go of them and they dry up.

"So get rid of all malicious behavior and deceit. Don’t just pretend to be good! Be done with hypocrisy and jealousy and backstabbing" (1 Pet. 2:1).

We all have tendencies toward malicious or deceitful behavior, but if you're motivated out of love for God and choose to follow Jesus, the old ways start to erode and one day, you won't be fighting anymore. What will help you grow the most?

"Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation" (I Pet. 2:2).

I encourage you to do your daily devotions and spend time in the Word. When you do, it's like sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him. Other suggestions include:

Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways have you changed because you’ve accepted Jesus in your heart?
2. Can you think of any old habit that you should let go of? Why are you still holding onto it and what steps will you take to change?
3. What motivated you before you became a Christian? What motivates you now?
4. Are you in a Life Group or have you been baptized? What is/was the experience like for you?
5. Talk about a life-growing experience you've had using the Bible.

Mahalo to Robin Hart who is renewing her heart daily and practicing new, good habits for the Lord in her service as a volunteer writer!