Stuart Scott: 13 Foundational Realities of Change

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Yesterday, during one of the plenary sessions at the ACBC conference, Dr. Stuart Scott taught on the process of change and the possibility of sexual purity (Titus 2:11-15). As he wrapped up his message, he summarized how inner change takes place in our hearts. Stuart drew our attention to 13 foundational realities of effective, lasting change.

  1. Change takes place by dealing with the heart (Proverbs 4:23; Mark 7:21ff).
  2. Change takes place by our new position and identity in Christ being understood and applied daily (2 Corinthians 5:17).
  3. Change takes place by a new, dependent pursuit of Christ as Lord. The imperatives of the gospel provide the framework of the outworking of salvation/faith toward Christ-likeness (Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 3:1).
  4. Change takes place by making inside and outside change more personal (Proverbs 15:13; 18:13; 25:11).
  5. Change takes place through a personal, abiding and growing relationship with the Lord Jesus(2 Peter 3:18).
  6. Change takes place by a radical treatment of pervasive sin in response to the gospel Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 5; Romans 13:14).
  7. Change takes place through personal involvement in the local church, a gospel believing and practicing local church. This is the context of our sanctification (Galatians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 12).
  8. Change takes place through an increase in thankfulness, as opposed to grumbling and self-pity (Ephesians 5:4-5).
  9. Change takes place by learning the biblical perspective of trials and suffering (James 1; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
  10. Change takes place through engagement in the spiritual battle with hope (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
  11. Change takes place through applying the personal sufficiency of God’s grace through humility, prayer, the Word, and a plan for obedience (Ephesians 6:18, 4:2; Hebrews 4:16).
  12. Change takes place by growing in real love for, and giving to, others; as opposed to a life of self-focus (1 Corinthians 13:1-5).
  13. Change takes place by means of a more prevailing hope—the promised hope of complete transformation at Christ’s return (1 Peter 1:13).

[Dr. Stuart Scott is a professor of biblical counseling at the Master’s College (Santa Clarita, CA), a visiting professor of biblical counseling at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY), and the founder of One-Eighty Counseling and Education, a ministry that partners with local churches for biblical hope and change.]

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