REPENTANCE

In the opening verses of Psalm 36, David lists several traits of a wicked person. One of those traits is "he does not abhor evil." (v. 4) This trait gets to the heart of the matter.

Behavior modification is not enough.

Our behavior is the product of what we truly believe. A person cannot act contrary to their beliefs indefinitely. Eventually, what they truly believe will manifest itself through our actions.

True change begins in the heart.

It is only when the heart changes that real, lasting change will occur in a person's life. We must view our sin the way God does...and despise it. The cross was the brutal price that was necessary to pay for our sin. Our sin is so repugnant to God that He was willing to go to such lengths to destroy it. Love for God should change how we think about sin; it should cause us to despise that which He despises, and which cost Him so much. The more we love God, the more we despise sin. This new attitude produces a genuine, long-lasting change in behavior.

Have you had a change of heart?