Today's Daily Bread
More Than Information
Our Daily Bread
How is behavior altered? In his book The Social Animal,
David Brooks notes that some experts have said people just need to be
taught the long-term risks of bad behavior. For example, he writes:
“Smoking can lead to cancer. Adultery destroys families, and lying
destroys trust. The assumption was that once you reminded people of the
foolishness of their behavior, they would be motivated to stop. Both
reason and will are obviously important in making moral decisions and
exercising self-control. But neither of these character models has
proven very effective.” In other words, information alone is not
powerful enough to transform behavior.
As Jesus’ followers, we want to grow and change spiritually. More
than two millennia ago, Jesus told His disciples how that can happen. He
said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As a branch cannot bear fruit of
itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide
in Me” (John 15:4). Jesus is the Vine and we, His followers, are the
branches. If we’re honest, we know we’re utterly helpless and
spiritually ineffective apart from Him.
Jesus transforms us spiritually and reproduces His life in us—as we abide in Him.
Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender, Lord—in me abide. —Orr
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender, Lord—in me abide. —Orr
A change in behavior begins with Jesus changing our heart.
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