Lord, Help Me to Lay It All Down
David Wilkerson encourages believers to focus on changing themselves, rather than just their circumstances, and to rely on the Holy Spirit for transformation.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the need for personal transformation over the desire for external changes in our lives. He points out that believers often pray for their circumstances to change rather than seeking God to change their own hearts. Wilkerson encourages a deep introspection, urging individuals to confront their spiritual state and seek the Holy Spirit's guidance for true change. He warns that neglecting the convicting power of God's Word can lead to chaos and bitterness, while sincere prayer for change can lead to spiritual growth and conformity to Christ's image.
Text
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed [changed] into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Believers spend far too much time praying, "God, change my circumstances; change my coworkers; change my family situation; change the conditions in my life." Yet we seldom pray the most important prayer: "Change me, Lord. I am the one who stands in need of prayer."
God orchestrates the steps and lives of all his children and he does not allow anything to happen in us merely by happenstance or fate. And, believe it or not, he has allowed your crisis. What is he trying to tell you through it?
Like it or not, we are all in the process of changing in one way or another. In the spiritual realm, there is no such thing as mere existence; we are continually being changed, either for good or for bad. We are either becoming more like our Lord or more like the world, either growing in Christ or backsliding.
Are you becoming more sweet-spirited, more like Jesus? Are you looking soberly in the mirror each day and praying, "Lord, I want to conform to your image in every area of my life"? Or has bitterness taken root, turning into rebellion and hardness of heart?
Let me plainly say that if you shield yourself from the convicting Word of God and the voice of his Spirit, your life will become more chaotic and your situation will worsen. I urge you to cry out to the Lord honestly in prayer: "Change me, O God. Dig deep within me and show me where I have failed and gone astray."
If you sincerely desire to be changed, God's Word is full of guidance and wisdom. If you will rely solely on the Holy Spirit, he will unveil your eyes and you will begin to change in that very moment.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Personal Transformation
- The Process of Changing
- The Consequences of Ignoring God's Voice
- Shielding ourselves from God's Word and Spirit leads to chaos and worsening situations
- Sincere prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit can lead to change
Key Quotes
“Change me, Lord. I am the one who stands in need of prayer.” — David Wilkerson
“If you will rely solely on the Holy Spirit, he will unveil your eyes and you will begin to change in that very moment.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Pray sincerely for the Lord to change you, and to show you where you have failed and gone astray.
- Rely solely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom in your life.
- Look soberly in the mirror each day and pray for the Lord to conform you to his image in every area of your life.