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A Leopard Can’t Change Its Spots

‘A leopard can’t change its spots’. Ever heard someone say that about a person who has unmistakably clear character flaws and is stuck in negative patterns in their thinking or actions? As a statement about a leopard, I must say it’s true. But as a statement about a human being, it simply is not. Especially when God pitches up! In fact, when God shows up, we are delivered from a domain of darkness (the power of satan) into a kingdom of light – God’s kingdom (Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:13). Nothing is ever the same again. We are born again – the old has gone and the new has come! In Christ our sins are not just washed away, but we are given a new nature, created in Christ Jesus, to be transformed into His image and to do His will on the earth.

The Old Has No Hold

No longer does our old nature rule over us, nor are we subject to the ways of this world. Rather, our spiritual senses are raised to new life and our antennae are switched on to transmit and receive heavenly signals and divine power (2 Peter 1:3; Colossians 3:1). There is just no way we can ever be the same again. The trajectory is onward and upward in Christ. As Jesus breathes life into our dead spirit, it is a triumphant life that we are born into, with the power to ‘say no to ungodliness and worldly passions’ (Titus 2:11) at our fingertips. Self-control, godliness and integrity become natural responses as we are awakened to the reality of His all-powerful, undeserved love towards us.

The children of God are set up for life – abundant life.

The children of God are set up for life – abundant life. There is so much for us in Christ, ‘The Spirit has been given that we might understand the things freely given us by God’ (1 Corinthians 2:12). We are now part of a family of believers (1 Peter 2:9) and we have all of heaven’s resources available to us so that we can take up our stations on the earth, as His people, and bring His rule and reign to the earth (Romans 5:17, Ephesians 1:19 – 23).

His Power To Change

Through Jesus, the leopard changes its spots. OR through Jesus, the leopard’s spots are changed. We no longer take our cue from the world’s view, but from the Spirit of our Risen Lord and from the teachings He left us. Have we believed a lie from the enemy? Have we believed that we will always be this way? Did God really say that I will rule and reign in life? That my marriage will be a blessing and my parenting a joy and example for others to follow? Can I overcome my negative thought patterns about life, the country, my economic situation? You name it: through Him and with Him you can overcome it!

Come out from unbelief and unrenewed thinking. Repent and believe the good news that ‘…the time is fulfilled, the rule and reign of heaven is at hand.’ (Mark 1:15) Jesus is in the business of changing leopards’ spots. Let Him change yours today!

Brad is the lead elder of Oxygen Life Church, a multi-site church in Gqeberha, South Africa. He also works apostolically worldwide. Brad is married to Angela, and they have three children. Follow Brad on Facebook and Instagram for more.

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