Competent to Minister
Competent to Minister
Competent to Minister
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Caring for Souls through Conversation 189<br />
thereby becoming like Jesus in thinking, feeling, and<br />
acting. Change that comes from abiding in Christ takes<br />
many forms. For one person, it may be choosing <strong>to</strong> hold<br />
a certain truth about God in the mind (Psalms 119:15 );<br />
or for another, it may be choosing a different attitude<br />
(Ephesians 4:2). Whatever the choice, each time a person<br />
trusts Christ and obeys by His enabling presence,<br />
he changes and grows. Those who rely solely on selfeffort,<br />
without involving God, may experience only<br />
superficial change.<br />
Applying Biblical Principles of Responsibility<br />
People may seek help <strong>to</strong> change other people instead<br />
of themselves. This is especially true regarding married<br />
couples. Each partner hopes the other one will change.<br />
Yet, if the attention can be removed from what the other<br />
person should do or away from negative circumstances,<br />
each partner can begin <strong>to</strong> trust and obey the Lord<br />
regarding personal change. In caring for souls, it may<br />
be necessary <strong>to</strong> discuss responsibility and change. Questions,<br />
such as the following may be helpful: Are you<br />
willing <strong>to</strong> change even if the other person (such as<br />
spouse, boss, or friend) or circumstances do not change?<br />
This question discourages a person from blaming others<br />
and encourages him <strong>to</strong> accept responsibility for his own<br />
attitudes, thoughts, words, and actions, even if he has<br />
been terribly wronged by others.<br />
People may attempt <strong>to</strong> exonerate themselves from<br />
accountability by blaming others. But, those who blame<br />
others actually prevent themselves from learning and<br />
growing. Adults who blame their present problems on<br />
how they were treated by their parents continue as children.<br />
However, when they take responsibility for their<br />
own attitudes, thoughts, words, and actions, they will<br />
change and grow. When, by God’s mercy and grace, people<br />
see their own failings, confess their own sins and<br />
repent, they will be ready <strong>to</strong> forgive others as they have<br />
been forgiven by God. They will grow when they choose<br />
<strong>to</strong> forgive their parents in the grace and power of
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