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You Can Change: God's Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions
It's about heart change, not behavior change. That's the conviction of Tim Chester as he seeks to help everyday Christians "connect the truth about God with our Monday-morning struggles." This interactive book, laid out in workbook fashion, is for newer Christians struggling with sin and for more mature Christians who have plateaued in their faith as they seek to find victory over sin in their lives. With a conviction that sanctification is God's work and the journey to holiness is joyful, Chester guides readers through a "change project"-beginning with the selection of one area of life they would like to modify. Each chapter includes a question (e.g., Why would you like to change? What truths do you need to turn to?) to guide readers as they deal with a specific sin or struggle, truths from God's word, and a reflection guide to help readers through their change project.
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2008
About the author
Tim Chester
134 books162 followersDr Tim Chester is involved in The Crowded House, a church planting initiative in Sheffield, UK. He was previously Research & Policy Director for Tearfund UK, and has been published widely on prayer, mission, social issues and theology. He is married to Helen and has two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
October 1, 2011
The danger in Christian books about change is the bogeyman of legalism. Some of the "classic" Christian literature is nothing more than a manifesto of Do's and Don't's that have nothing to do with the Bible, much less Jesus. Tim Chester does not avoid these familiar pitfalls: half of his work is a brilliant call to holiness while the other half is counterintuitive to his own goals. It makes for a frustrating read that at times connects deeply but often succumbs to being another screaming manifesto.
First the negatives. Tim Chester, who can be a good writer, writes this book in a clinical, abrupt, academic form that never really "breathes" like one human being speaking to another. For a work of this sort, it makes for a dull read that smears together like a textbook. It's as if Chester included all the necessary doctrine so that no one would fault him for being shallow. The result, perhaps unexpectedly, is a bunch of fluff that is neither interesting nor practical.
Chester also strains to explain "why" we should stop sinning. For all his proper doctrine, he never conveys a compelling reason to change. For all the talk about God's glory, Chester uses so much Christianese that he hardly defines the bottom line. He simply writes about what happens when we change and how hard it will be. So why bother? Every prodigal I have ever counseled does not fully understand the freedom that God offers. And neither does Chester communicate that freedom with any real urgency.
Other weak spots: Each chapter ends with exercises that appear fruitful but do not come with warnings about legalistic methodology. So these exercises almost tear down what he has been building about grace. Chester is all over the place with his explanation of idols. Is sin the idol? Or is an idol just external? Is it a desire? He doesn't delineate. And all the idealistic pep talk begins to float above reality and sounds like New Age self-help mantras. Seriously.
Positives: Despite all the holes in the book, Chester really picks up steam in the last half by exposing the nuances of sin -- its secrecy and allure -- and exposing it as a lie. By conveying the heart of all sin as a lie, Chester creates a grounded biblical principle that will already cover half the work of sanctification. It is no longer about rules, but about seeing what is really true.
Chester's "mess" of a church culture is also a bold biblical truth that earned four stars for this review. By itself, it could be its own book. I won't say much on that except: if your church is not messed up, chances are your church lacks a culture of grace in fear of a damaged reputation. The insight in this chapter is worth the cover price.
Though there are numerous problems with Tim Chester's work, like any Christian book about change, I still commend those parts of brilliance that do outweigh the negatives. As always, read with discernment and keep it grounded in the Word. There is some truth to be found here.
First the negatives. Tim Chester, who can be a good writer, writes this book in a clinical, abrupt, academic form that never really "breathes" like one human being speaking to another. For a work of this sort, it makes for a dull read that smears together like a textbook. It's as if Chester included all the necessary doctrine so that no one would fault him for being shallow. The result, perhaps unexpectedly, is a bunch of fluff that is neither interesting nor practical.
Chester also strains to explain "why" we should stop sinning. For all his proper doctrine, he never conveys a compelling reason to change. For all the talk about God's glory, Chester uses so much Christianese that he hardly defines the bottom line. He simply writes about what happens when we change and how hard it will be. So why bother? Every prodigal I have ever counseled does not fully understand the freedom that God offers. And neither does Chester communicate that freedom with any real urgency.
Other weak spots: Each chapter ends with exercises that appear fruitful but do not come with warnings about legalistic methodology. So these exercises almost tear down what he has been building about grace. Chester is all over the place with his explanation of idols. Is sin the idol? Or is an idol just external? Is it a desire? He doesn't delineate. And all the idealistic pep talk begins to float above reality and sounds like New Age self-help mantras. Seriously.
Positives: Despite all the holes in the book, Chester really picks up steam in the last half by exposing the nuances of sin -- its secrecy and allure -- and exposing it as a lie. By conveying the heart of all sin as a lie, Chester creates a grounded biblical principle that will already cover half the work of sanctification. It is no longer about rules, but about seeing what is really true.
Chester's "mess" of a church culture is also a bold biblical truth that earned four stars for this review. By itself, it could be its own book. I won't say much on that except: if your church is not messed up, chances are your church lacks a culture of grace in fear of a damaged reputation. The insight in this chapter is worth the cover price.
Though there are numerous problems with Tim Chester's work, like any Christian book about change, I still commend those parts of brilliance that do outweigh the negatives. As always, read with discernment and keep it grounded in the Word. There is some truth to be found here.
July 14, 2020
I've read this a bunch of times, but this time I read it with my wife so we could work on some particular 'change projects' together. That was an excellent thing for us to do. We spent 2 hours a week with the book - one hour reading the chapter out loud, the second hour answering the questions at the end of the chapter. Taking it at that pace was hugely beneficial, and I'm not sure we would have gotten half as much out of it without taking as long as we did on the studies at the end of each chapter.
If you're after a gospel-centred, biblically-based, and thoughtful book on how to turn from sin and/or grow in godliness, I'd highly recommend it. I'd especially recommend working through it with someone else, or with a small group.
If you're after a gospel-centred, biblically-based, and thoughtful book on how to turn from sin and/or grow in godliness, I'd highly recommend it. I'd especially recommend working through it with someone else, or with a small group.
December 7, 2016
First sentence: What would you like to change?
Premise/plot: Is Tim Chester's book your typical self-help book? Far from it. It approaches change not from a self empowerment perspective but from a Spirit empowered one! In other words while he encourages you to focus on where you personally want to change, it is very much a book about the sanctification process. It explores essential Christian ideas: sin, temptation, repentance, holiness, etc.
My thoughts: I really thought this was well written. It is plainly and clearly written. It takes theological doctrines and presents them practically. Chester approaches the subject honestly and not condescendingly. If I had to sum this one up I'd say it was about humility and holiness.
Favorite quotes:
Jesus isn't just good for us--he is good itself. He defines good. (15)
Sin is living life my way, for me, instead of living life God's way, for God. (25)
We need to repent of trying to be our own savior. (25)
You will cleanse no sin from your life that you have not first recognized as being pardoned through the cross (28)
Sin doesn't love us. It tries to use us, abuse us, enslave us, control us, and ultimately destroy us. Sin takes from us and gives nothing in return. (33)
We become Christians by faith in Jesus, we stay Christians by faith in Christ, and we grow as Christians by faith in Jesus. (44)
Sin is wanting to live our lives our own way without God. The terrible irony is that we even want to overcome sin our own way without God. (45)
I used to think sanctification was a bit like pushing a boulder up a hill. It was hard, slow work, and if you lost your concentration you might find yourself back at the bottom. But it's more like a boulder rolling down a hill. There's something inevitable about it, because it's God's work, and God always succeeds. The sad thing is that often I try to push the boulder back up the hill. (55)
Every time we don't trust God's word we're believing something else, and that something is always a lie. (74)
The problems lie in the gap between what we believe in theory and what we believe in practice. (75)
Freedom is found in the truth that we were made to worship God, to serve God, to trust God. Freedom is found in acknowledging that we are responsible for the mess we have made of our lives, that our problems are rooted in our hearts, that we deserve God's judgment, that we desperately need God. Freedom is found in accepting that God is in control of our lives, that he is gracious, that he forgives those who come to him in faith. (77)
God is great--so we do not have to be in control. God is glorious--so we do not have to fear others. God is good--so we do not have to look elsewhere. God is gracious--so we do not have to prove ourselves. (80)
Every joy we experience is but a shadow of the source of all joy, which is God. (85)
A sinful desire is a desire that is bigger than God. (103)
Sin is fundamentally an orientation toward self. Repentance is reorienting ourselves toward God. (106)
Humility is the realization that we can never merit blessing from God. It's the recognition that grace is our only hope. (118)
Sin is like mold: it grows best in the dark. (124)
A changing life is a cross-centered life. (127)
The cross leaves no scope for human boasting. (127)
God has given us the Christian community not as a substitute for Christ but as a pointer to Christ. (158)
Love without truth is like doing heart surgery with a wet fish. But truth without love is like doing heart surgery with a hammer. We will speak the truth effectively only in the context of loving relationships. (158)
Premise/plot: Is Tim Chester's book your typical self-help book? Far from it. It approaches change not from a self empowerment perspective but from a Spirit empowered one! In other words while he encourages you to focus on where you personally want to change, it is very much a book about the sanctification process. It explores essential Christian ideas: sin, temptation, repentance, holiness, etc.
My thoughts: I really thought this was well written. It is plainly and clearly written. It takes theological doctrines and presents them practically. Chester approaches the subject honestly and not condescendingly. If I had to sum this one up I'd say it was about humility and holiness.
Favorite quotes:
Jesus isn't just good for us--he is good itself. He defines good. (15)
Sin is living life my way, for me, instead of living life God's way, for God. (25)
We need to repent of trying to be our own savior. (25)
You will cleanse no sin from your life that you have not first recognized as being pardoned through the cross (28)
Sin doesn't love us. It tries to use us, abuse us, enslave us, control us, and ultimately destroy us. Sin takes from us and gives nothing in return. (33)
We become Christians by faith in Jesus, we stay Christians by faith in Christ, and we grow as Christians by faith in Jesus. (44)
Sin is wanting to live our lives our own way without God. The terrible irony is that we even want to overcome sin our own way without God. (45)
I used to think sanctification was a bit like pushing a boulder up a hill. It was hard, slow work, and if you lost your concentration you might find yourself back at the bottom. But it's more like a boulder rolling down a hill. There's something inevitable about it, because it's God's work, and God always succeeds. The sad thing is that often I try to push the boulder back up the hill. (55)
Every time we don't trust God's word we're believing something else, and that something is always a lie. (74)
The problems lie in the gap between what we believe in theory and what we believe in practice. (75)
Freedom is found in the truth that we were made to worship God, to serve God, to trust God. Freedom is found in acknowledging that we are responsible for the mess we have made of our lives, that our problems are rooted in our hearts, that we deserve God's judgment, that we desperately need God. Freedom is found in accepting that God is in control of our lives, that he is gracious, that he forgives those who come to him in faith. (77)
God is great--so we do not have to be in control. God is glorious--so we do not have to fear others. God is good--so we do not have to look elsewhere. God is gracious--so we do not have to prove ourselves. (80)
Every joy we experience is but a shadow of the source of all joy, which is God. (85)
A sinful desire is a desire that is bigger than God. (103)
Sin is fundamentally an orientation toward self. Repentance is reorienting ourselves toward God. (106)
Humility is the realization that we can never merit blessing from God. It's the recognition that grace is our only hope. (118)
Sin is like mold: it grows best in the dark. (124)
A changing life is a cross-centered life. (127)
The cross leaves no scope for human boasting. (127)
God has given us the Christian community not as a substitute for Christ but as a pointer to Christ. (158)
Love without truth is like doing heart surgery with a wet fish. But truth without love is like doing heart surgery with a hammer. We will speak the truth effectively only in the context of loving relationships. (158)
March 15, 2018
I think this is my favorite book on Gospel change. Better than Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change, and even better than How People Change. Chester is a wonderful writer and balances clarity, brevity, and the inclusion of biblical detail well. This is now my go-to book on the subject.
December 5, 2022
I was a bit skeptical at first because the title makes this sound like a self-help book, but I genuinely enjoyed this book a lot. I can see myself using this book as a reference for the more pastoral parts of life (both mine and others).
You can change! (because of Jesus)
You can change! (because of Jesus)
September 10, 2021
An extremely helpful tool in helping one change through biblical self-examination and reliance on Christ. It includes many hard-hitting questions. Chester frequently quotes the Bible and solid Reformed theologians. He summarizes the book by saying,
This book's value was somewhat diminished by several passages I had issues with (see end of this review).
Summary from last chapter
1. "Keep returning to the cross to see your sin canceled and to draw near to God in full assurance of welcome."
2. "Keep looking to God instead of to sin for satisfaction, focusing on the four liberating truths of God's greatness, glory, goodness, and grace."
3. Put off "everything that might strengthen or provoke sinful desires."
4. "Bring sin into the light through regular accountability to another Christian."
Notes
Introduction
Anger reflects a desire for control. Instead of being angry, trust God's sovereignty.
What Would You Like to Change?
Christ makes us a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) which recreates us in image of God (Eph 4:24; 1 Cor 15:49; Col 3:9-10).
"The secret of gospel change is being convinced that Jesus is the good life and the foundation of all joy."
Why Would You Like to Change?
Strengthen your resolve to change, and focus on identity in Christ. Read Rom 5:1-2.
You may feel hopeless, yet not be hopeless enough. "If you were completely hopeless, you'd stop trusting in what you think you can do to change the situation and start trusting in what Jesus Christ has already done for you at the cross."
When Do You Struggle?
Destructive or sinful behaviors and negative or sinful emotions arise when we don't trust and worship God as we should.
Trace your sins back to your heart's lies (false explanations for what's happening to you) and idols (things you desire and worship above God).
When do you struggle?
• What situations cause you to struggle?
• What do you think/believe in those moments?
• What do you want or worship in those moments?
• What do you think you need in those moments?
• Whom are you trying to please in those moments?
• What do you fear or worry about in those moments?
• In what/whom do you trust in those moments?
• What do you love in those moments? Hate?
What Truths Do You Need to Turn To?
When you get angry about circumstances, you disbelieve that God's in control and has good purposes. When you overwork, it's because you don't trust God. When you're depressed or bitter, it's because you disbeliever God's being good to you and is in control.
Problems lie in the gap between what we believe in theory (confessional faith) and what we believe in practice (functional disbelief). E.g., we affirm God is sovereign (confessional faith) but get anxious when we can't control life (functional disbelief). "Sanctification is the progressive narrowing of the gap between confessional faith and functional faith."
Sins are rooted in practical disbelief (believing lies about God). The way out of sin is trusting God (Pro 4:18-23; Jer 17:5-8).
Most unhappiness is caused by listening to yourself (being controlled by your emotions) rather than talking to yourself (controlling your thinking) (2 Cor 10:3-5).
Life-changing truths about God (Ps 62:11-12)
• God is great, so we don't have to be in control (cf. Ps 27)
• God is glorious, so we don't have to fear others (cf. Ps 31)
• God is good, so we don't have to look elsewhere (cf. Ps 94)
• God is gracious, so we don't have to prove ourselves (cf. Ps 103)
When you fear someone or crave their approval, mentally compare them to God and realize His approval is worth far more (Matt 10:28; Ps 27:1-3).
If you find yourself saying, "If only …" do you really believe God is good?
When you're tempted, say not just, "I shouldn't do this," but also, "I don't need to do this, because God is bigger and better."
What do your thoughts show about your trust in God?
• If you want something, do you think it offers more than God offers?
• If you fear something, do you think it's more important that God?
• If you're angry about something, do you feel that God has let you down?
What Desires Do You Need to Turn From?
Desire itself isn't wrong, and the things you desire may not be wrong, but it's a sin when a desire becomes more important than God; when your desire makes you discontent with God's sovereignty over your life.
"Repentance is not just turning from sinful behavior, but turning from the idols and desires that cause sinful behavior."
Stopping sinful thoughts
• When you feel yourself getting bitter, don't feed the thought; realize it's grumbling against God's goodness, and stop.
• When you feel yourself getting annoyed, don't feed the thought; realize it's your desire to control rather than trusting God's sovereignty, and stop.
• When you feel yourself getting angry, don't feed the thought; realize it's your desire to justify yourself rather than trusting in Christ's atoning work, and stop.
What are the idols of your heart?
1. When you're angry, what do you want that you're not getting?
2. When you're anxious, what is threatened?
3. When you're despondent, what have you lost or failed at?
4. What do you think you need to have? "I'd be happy if only I could have …"
What Stops You from Changing?
Top reasons people don't change
1. Pride: self-reliance, self-justification (excusing, minimizing, hiding sin)
2. Hating consequences of sin but loving the sin itself
If you're mad at yourself for repeating the same sin, it may be pride: assuming you're capable of doing good in your own power. You may be more concerned about your "victory" over sin than about how your sins grieve God.
Humility is secret to receiving grace (Jas 4:6, 10; 1 Pet 5:5).
Don't say you were defeated by sin (playing the victim); say you chose to disobey (taking responsibility) (Jas 1:13-14; 1 Cor 10:13).
If you struggle with a sin for years, it may be that you only want to remove the consequences of the sin, not the sin itself.
To fight sin and have deep hatred of sin as sin, think of Christ's death, God's love, detestable nature of sin, preciousness of communion with God.
To hate sin, ask yourself:
1. "Is this how I pay back the Father for His love?"
2. "Is this how I thank the Son for His blood?"
3. "Is this how I respond to the Spirit for His grace?"
4. "Have I defiled the heart that Christ died to wash, and the Spirit dwells in?"
The key to change is continually returning to the cross to see the source of your sanctification; find hope by seeing power of sin broken; see yourself unable united to Christ by His blood; see God's grace; find grace, power, delight in God to overcome sin.
To think God will overlook your sin as your weakness is to sin presumptuously; to abuse His goodness and mercy.
What stops you from changing?
• Do you every say "if only"? What comes after "if only"?
• Do you want to change only because you're supposed to want to, or simply because it will make life easier?
• Do you want to change, but not at the cost of saying no forever?
• Do you want to change, but you're waiting for God to remove your cravings first?
• Do you want to change simply because it will make life easier?
• Does your repentance have characteristics of 2 Cor 7:8-13?
• Are you serious about holiness and eager to change?
• Are you angry about your sin and alarmed about where it might lead?
What Strategies Will Reinforce Your Faith and Repentance?
Avoiding temptation doesn't change your heart, but it buys time for truth to prevail in your heart (1 Cor 6:18-20; 10:13-14; 1 Tim 6:9-11; 2 Tim 2:22).
As soon as you're tempted, pray for help.
Serving God and others helps you stop thinking about your wants and start thinking about others' needs.
Change requires repentance (hatred of and turning away from sin) and faith (desire for God). Saying no to whatever strengthens sinful desires reinforces repentance. Saying yes to whatever strengthens godly desires reinforces faith.
Suffering teaches us how little we control. It teaches us to find security, rest, hope, comfort in God rather than ourselves.
Stop strengthening sinful desires. Evaluate activities by asking questions based on 1 Cor 6:12; 10:23-24:
1. "Is this activity beneficial? Does it help me become more like Jesus?"
2. "Is this activity mastering me? Does it strengthen a desire that might control my heart?"
3. "Is this activity good for others? Might it cause another Christian to be tempted?"
How Can We Support One Another in Changing?
God puts difficult, annoying, sinful people in your life so you can rub off each other's rough edges and be instruments in making each other holy.
Welcome proper rebukes and confrontation from believers (Rom 15:14; Pro 26:28; 27:5-6, 9, 17; Col 1:28; 3:16; 1 Thess 5:14; 2 Tim 4:2; Titus 2:15).
What stops you from having change-oriented relationships?
• "I'm too busy." Are you too busy because you feel the need to be in control or on top of things?
• "I don't need help. I can handle this on my own. I don't like to trouble others. I don't want to be dependent on others."
• "I'm afraid of what might happen." Do you avoid close relationships because they might get messy, or because you fear being vulnerable or exposed?
• "I have enough problems of my own." Do you think mainly about what other Christians can do for you? Are most of your conversations with Christians about you?
Are You Ready for a Lifetime of Daily Change?
Christ has broken sin's hold on your life (Gal 2:20). There's no sin that you must be trapped in, no area of life that can't be changed.
You may not recognize progress in sanctification because as you increase in sanctification you become more sensitive to sin. Look backward to be encouraged by your change, and forward to perfection to feel the weight of remaining sin.
Are you frustrated by your lack of change?
• Have you focused on behavioral change rather than heart change?
• How have you changed over the past year? 5 years?
Parts I didn't like
P. 15 Author's daughter played Jesus in a school play. A friend said to her to "Be a good Jesus today" and author tells us to "Be a good Jesus." The Bible tells us to follow and imitate Jesus, but it never tells us to be Jesus or see ourselves as Jesus; He's the only begotten Son of God.
P. 52 "Walk in step with the Spirit. Follow those Spirit-prompted desires. … Often I get nervous as I entrust young Christians to the Spirit's promptings. I'm not sure it's good enough. I want to give them some rules or wall them in. But that's legalism. … Only two commands matter: to love God and to love others (Mark 12:28-31; Romans 13:8-10). Everything else is there simply to flesh out what this love involves." This seems like mysticism and borderline antinomianism.
P. 122 Uses an episode of "The Simpsons" as an analogy. Given its frequent mockery of Christianity, it doesn't seem appropriate to cite the show in this book.
This book is about hope. It's about the hope we have in Jesus … hope for change. … This book points to Jesus and explains how faith in Jesus leads to change, what theologians call sanctification or becoming more like Jesus.The book is structured as a "change project"; you choose an area you need to change (a sin you need to overcome), and each chapter ends with questions for reflection, as well as thought-provoking questions to help you progress through your change project.
This book's value was somewhat diminished by several passages I had issues with (see end of this review).
Summary from last chapter
1. "Keep returning to the cross to see your sin canceled and to draw near to God in full assurance of welcome."
2. "Keep looking to God instead of to sin for satisfaction, focusing on the four liberating truths of God's greatness, glory, goodness, and grace."
3. Put off "everything that might strengthen or provoke sinful desires."
4. "Bring sin into the light through regular accountability to another Christian."
Notes
Introduction
Anger reflects a desire for control. Instead of being angry, trust God's sovereignty.
What Would You Like to Change?
Christ makes us a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) which recreates us in image of God (Eph 4:24; 1 Cor 15:49; Col 3:9-10).
"The secret of gospel change is being convinced that Jesus is the good life and the foundation of all joy."
Why Would You Like to Change?
Strengthen your resolve to change, and focus on identity in Christ. Read Rom 5:1-2.
We don't need anything new to be godly because we already have all we need. The great and precious promises that shape our new identity enable us to be like God. Growth in godliness begins with faith in those promises. [See 2 Pet 1:3-9.]How Are You Going to Change?
You may feel hopeless, yet not be hopeless enough. "If you were completely hopeless, you'd stop trusting in what you think you can do to change the situation and start trusting in what Jesus Christ has already done for you at the cross."
When Do You Struggle?
Destructive or sinful behaviors and negative or sinful emotions arise when we don't trust and worship God as we should.
Not all anger is bad. God himself is angry about sin. Good anger is an emotional response to the right things (sin and injustice) in the right way (controlled and desiring good). But think about the last time you were angry in a destructive way … James says that what causes fights and quarrels are the desires that battle within (James 4:1-2). Anger arises because our desires are thwarted or threatened. … We can't blame our circumstances. [Jas 1:13-15]Don't think of sin as being overwhelmed by external factors; think of it as disobedience.
Trace your sins back to your heart's lies (false explanations for what's happening to you) and idols (things you desire and worship above God).
When do you struggle?
• What situations cause you to struggle?
• What do you think/believe in those moments?
• What do you want or worship in those moments?
• What do you think you need in those moments?
• Whom are you trying to please in those moments?
• What do you fear or worry about in those moments?
• In what/whom do you trust in those moments?
• What do you love in those moments? Hate?
What Truths Do You Need to Turn To?
When you get angry about circumstances, you disbelieve that God's in control and has good purposes. When you overwork, it's because you don't trust God. When you're depressed or bitter, it's because you disbeliever God's being good to you and is in control.
Problems lie in the gap between what we believe in theory (confessional faith) and what we believe in practice (functional disbelief). E.g., we affirm God is sovereign (confessional faith) but get anxious when we can't control life (functional disbelief). "Sanctification is the progressive narrowing of the gap between confessional faith and functional faith."
Sins are rooted in practical disbelief (believing lies about God). The way out of sin is trusting God (Pro 4:18-23; Jer 17:5-8).
Most unhappiness is caused by listening to yourself (being controlled by your emotions) rather than talking to yourself (controlling your thinking) (2 Cor 10:3-5).
Life-changing truths about God (Ps 62:11-12)
• God is great, so we don't have to be in control (cf. Ps 27)
• God is glorious, so we don't have to fear others (cf. Ps 31)
• God is good, so we don't have to look elsewhere (cf. Ps 94)
• God is gracious, so we don't have to prove ourselves (cf. Ps 103)
Without grace, we view life as a contract between us and God: we do good works, and in return he blesses us. When things go well, we're filled with pride. But when things to badly, either we blame ourselves (and feel guilty) or we blame God (and feel bitter). … But in actuality the contract or covenant between us and God already reads 'Paid in full by the blood of Jesus.'Every day, choose the real world in which God is sovereign over the fantasy in which you're sovereign.
When you fear someone or crave their approval, mentally compare them to God and realize His approval is worth far more (Matt 10:28; Ps 27:1-3).
If you find yourself saying, "If only …" do you really believe God is good?
The life of obedience is not the bad or sad life. It's the good life. Life with God is the best life you could live. Change is about enjoying the freedom from sin and the delight in God that God gives to us through Jesus."Joyless duty will characterize our attitude if we think of God as an uncaring boss. But when we see him as a gracious Father, our attitude will be one of joyful service."
When you're tempted, say not just, "I shouldn't do this," but also, "I don't need to do this, because God is bigger and better."
What do your thoughts show about your trust in God?
• If you want something, do you think it offers more than God offers?
• If you fear something, do you think it's more important that God?
• If you're angry about something, do you feel that God has let you down?
What Desires Do You Need to Turn From?
Desire itself isn't wrong, and the things you desire may not be wrong, but it's a sin when a desire becomes more important than God; when your desire makes you discontent with God's sovereignty over your life.
God isn't the key to the good life (however I choose to define it). He defines the good life. He is the good life. God must be desired for his own sake, not as the purveyor of worldly success.If you're bitter about something missing from your life, you're wanting it more than God.
It's so much better to be a minor character in God's story than to try to write our own script. Living with God at the center is the good and sane life.
I'm grumpy because things aren't going my way. But I've no right and no need to expect them to go my way. It's enough to know that they're going God's way and that his ways are good.Having a God-centered perspective humbling (it puts you in your place) and liberating (you don't need to try to be in control). When we recognize this is God's world, we stop trying to be in control.
"Repentance is not just turning from sinful behavior, but turning from the idols and desires that cause sinful behavior."
Stopping sinful thoughts
• When you feel yourself getting bitter, don't feed the thought; realize it's grumbling against God's goodness, and stop.
• When you feel yourself getting annoyed, don't feed the thought; realize it's your desire to control rather than trusting God's sovereignty, and stop.
• When you feel yourself getting angry, don't feed the thought; realize it's your desire to justify yourself rather than trusting in Christ's atoning work, and stop.
A desire is sinful when it produces bad fruit in your life (disobedience, anger, anxiety, and so on). When you see that bad fruit, trace it back to the idolatrous desires of your heart.
Along with weeding out sin, we need to plant in grace. … When our thoughts are filled with the glory of God and our lives are filled with the service of God, there'll be less room for sin and temptation (Galatians 6:7-10).Any particular sin isn't inevitable for the Christian; we're free from sin's power. Believer that God is bigger than your sinful desires.
What are the idols of your heart?
1. When you're angry, what do you want that you're not getting?
2. When you're anxious, what is threatened?
3. When you're despondent, what have you lost or failed at?
4. What do you think you need to have? "I'd be happy if only I could have …"
What Stops You from Changing?
Top reasons people don't change
1. Pride: self-reliance, self-justification (excusing, minimizing, hiding sin)
2. Hating consequences of sin but loving the sin itself
If you're mad at yourself for repeating the same sin, it may be pride: assuming you're capable of doing good in your own power. You may be more concerned about your "victory" over sin than about how your sins grieve God.
Humility is secret to receiving grace (Jas 4:6, 10; 1 Pet 5:5).
If you're frustrated at your inability to change, then your first step is to give up—to give up on yourself. Repent of your self-reliance and self-confidence. Your second step is to rejoice in God's grace—his grace to forgive and his grace to transform.Don't blame circumstances (context, upbringing, personal history, biology, people, personality, etc.) for sin. You choose how you respond. Sin isn't inevitable or appropriate (Jas 1:13-14; 1 Cor 10:13). Blaming circumstances is actually blaming God.
Don't say you were defeated by sin (playing the victim); say you chose to disobey (taking responsibility) (Jas 1:13-14; 1 Cor 10:13).
If you struggle with a sin for years, it may be that you only want to remove the consequences of the sin, not the sin itself.
To fight sin and have deep hatred of sin as sin, think of Christ's death, God's love, detestable nature of sin, preciousness of communion with God.
To hate sin, ask yourself:
1. "Is this how I pay back the Father for His love?"
2. "Is this how I thank the Son for His blood?"
3. "Is this how I respond to the Spirit for His grace?"
4. "Have I defiled the heart that Christ died to wash, and the Spirit dwells in?"
The key to change is continually returning to the cross to see the source of your sanctification; find hope by seeing power of sin broken; see yourself unable united to Christ by His blood; see God's grace; find grace, power, delight in God to overcome sin.
The secret of humility, and therefore of change, is never to stray too far from the cross. It should be often in our thoughts, on our lips, in our songs, determining our actions, shaping our attitudes, captivating our affections.Contemplate that you're a sinner and only the death of the Son of God can save you.
To think God will overlook your sin as your weakness is to sin presumptuously; to abuse His goodness and mercy.
What stops you from changing?
• Do you every say "if only"? What comes after "if only"?
• Do you want to change only because you're supposed to want to, or simply because it will make life easier?
• Do you want to change, but not at the cost of saying no forever?
• Do you want to change, but you're waiting for God to remove your cravings first?
• Do you want to change simply because it will make life easier?
• Does your repentance have characteristics of 2 Cor 7:8-13?
• Are you serious about holiness and eager to change?
• Are you angry about your sin and alarmed about where it might lead?
What Strategies Will Reinforce Your Faith and Repentance?
Avoiding temptation doesn't change your heart, but it buys time for truth to prevail in your heart (1 Cor 6:18-20; 10:13-14; 1 Tim 6:9-11; 2 Tim 2:22).
We can't simply tell ourselves to stop sinning. We need to direct the desires that sin falsely satisfies toward that which truly satisfies and liberates—God himself. A renewed affection for God is the only thing that will expel sinful desires. [See Thomas Chalmers' sermon "The Expulsive Power of a New Affection."]
Tell someone to stop sinning and at best they may do so reluctantly and partially. But give them a vision of knowing God and his glory, and they'll gladly root out all that gets in the way of their relationship with God (Hebrews 12:1-3)."We should read the Bible not primarily so that we might expound it, but that it might expound us."
As soon as you're tempted, pray for help.
Serving God and others helps you stop thinking about your wants and start thinking about others' needs.
Change requires repentance (hatred of and turning away from sin) and faith (desire for God). Saying no to whatever strengthens sinful desires reinforces repentance. Saying yes to whatever strengthens godly desires reinforces faith.
Suffering teaches us how little we control. It teaches us to find security, rest, hope, comfort in God rather than ourselves.
Stop strengthening sinful desires. Evaluate activities by asking questions based on 1 Cor 6:12; 10:23-24:
1. "Is this activity beneficial? Does it help me become more like Jesus?"
2. "Is this activity mastering me? Does it strengthen a desire that might control my heart?"
3. "Is this activity good for others? Might it cause another Christian to be tempted?"
How Can We Support One Another in Changing?
God puts difficult, annoying, sinful people in your life so you can rub off each other's rough edges and be instruments in making each other holy.
Welcome proper rebukes and confrontation from believers (Rom 15:14; Pro 26:28; 27:5-6, 9, 17; Col 1:28; 3:16; 1 Thess 5:14; 2 Tim 4:2; Titus 2:15).
What stops you from having change-oriented relationships?
• "I'm too busy." Are you too busy because you feel the need to be in control or on top of things?
• "I don't need help. I can handle this on my own. I don't like to trouble others. I don't want to be dependent on others."
• "I'm afraid of what might happen." Do you avoid close relationships because they might get messy, or because you fear being vulnerable or exposed?
• "I have enough problems of my own." Do you think mainly about what other Christians can do for you? Are most of your conversations with Christians about you?
Are You Ready for a Lifetime of Daily Change?
Christ has broken sin's hold on your life (Gal 2:20). There's no sin that you must be trapped in, no area of life that can't be changed.
You may not recognize progress in sanctification because as you increase in sanctification you become more sensitive to sin. Look backward to be encouraged by your change, and forward to perfection to feel the weight of remaining sin.
Are you frustrated by your lack of change?
• Have you focused on behavioral change rather than heart change?
• How have you changed over the past year? 5 years?
Parts I didn't like
P. 15 Author's daughter played Jesus in a school play. A friend said to her to "Be a good Jesus today" and author tells us to "Be a good Jesus." The Bible tells us to follow and imitate Jesus, but it never tells us to be Jesus or see ourselves as Jesus; He's the only begotten Son of God.
P. 52 "Walk in step with the Spirit. Follow those Spirit-prompted desires. … Often I get nervous as I entrust young Christians to the Spirit's promptings. I'm not sure it's good enough. I want to give them some rules or wall them in. But that's legalism. … Only two commands matter: to love God and to love others (Mark 12:28-31; Romans 13:8-10). Everything else is there simply to flesh out what this love involves." This seems like mysticism and borderline antinomianism.
P. 122 Uses an episode of "The Simpsons" as an analogy. Given its frequent mockery of Christianity, it doesn't seem appropriate to cite the show in this book.
October 2, 2023
The title of this book promises a lot. Real lasting change is hard. But the framework it provides for growing in holiness is practical, realistic and hopeful. So, so encouraged about the ability to change more into the image of Christ after reading this.
February 10, 2018
This book is practical without being legalistic. A must read for Christians as we battle sin daily and seek to sow in the Spirit. One day we will reap what we sow.
I believe more of who God is after reading this book. He is good, great, gracious, and glorious.
I believe more of who God is after reading this book. He is good, great, gracious, and glorious.
May 22, 2013
Generally helpful book. Appreciated the emphasis on the power available through God's means of grace. The discussion of "legalism" was inconsistent and self-contradictory when compared with the larger context of the book. For this reason, I gave it 3 instead of 4 stars.
March 11, 2022
Excellent and helpful. I wish I had this book when I first became a Christian.
Buy a copy. Read it. Then give it to your friends.
Buy a copy. Read it. Then give it to your friends.
April 30, 2022
I read this over 6 months, kind of like a textbook, one chapter/session every few weeks. I tried finishing it before but couldn't get to the end, but this way, writing chapter summaries after each session, really helped me, so I suggest people read it like that too.
Here are my chapter summaries (no need to read, just for my info too).
1.
Change to be more like Jesus! Gaze on God's glory & reflect it. God gives us a new heart to be able to do this, to be convinced that this is the ultimate good.
2.
Motive for change is NOT to impress (that's sin, even if it leads to good). That puts us at the centre. We need to a.) live in son's freedom b.) delight in delighting Jesus c.) be a holy, sacred place where God lives! -> Enjoy the freedom from sin & delight in God, given by God, a joyful gift!
3.
Self-change won't work. It's sinful legalism, slavery. Need to repent of our "good works". It's God's work. -> Father disciplining his child w/ suffering -> Jesus defeating guilt & power of sin -> Holy Spirit prompting to love. So Change/holiness/love is in my new spiritual DNA. So believe this! the gospel, the song of gospel grace.
4.
Sin is not from external circumstances, but from within. External circumstances pass through our heart filter leading to our behaviour. Our heart doesn't trust God. Doesn't worship God. So we sin. Answer: trust God instead of believing lies (faith), worship God instead of worshipping idols (Repentance)
5.
Preach to yourself! Sin is a symptom of believing lies. God is great, glorious, good, gracious. Instead of "I should not sin" -> "I NEED not sin, for God is good, glorious, great, gracious"
6.
Say no the moment sinful desires come. Desires make us captive. Desire God. e.g. getting annoyed because I desire my happiness over trusting God's sovereignty. Weed out evil desires and plant grace. Because "We always do what we WANT to do".
7.
Change stopped by 2 things. i.) Price, fighting sin is about ME. So we excuse, minimise, hide sin. No "buts", no reputation. Give up on self. Rejoice in Grace. ii.) We love sin (just hate consequences). Be violent! Cross-centered life in humility, hope, power, delight.
8.
You reap what you sow. -> Say no to what strengthens sinful desires (repentance) -> say yes to what strengthens spirit / holy desires (faith). Don't cuddle / pander sin, crucify it! It's like losing a bit of your heart (yes!), but redirect to God. Through bible, prayer, community, suffering, service, hope.
9.
God gave us community to help us grow/persevere. Helps press my buttons, spot my idolatrous desires. My private sin stops the church growing / reflecting Jesus the head. -> Speak the truth to fight the lies I believe. Rebuke regularly. Mess reflects grace, confess & be set free.
10.
Change is a lifetime, daily task. (But only one lifetime, then eternity!)Affirm identity in Christ, delight in God more than sin, in the "daily littles". Till Jesus returns and we SEE God's goodness, greatness, completely, and we sin no more.
Here are my chapter summaries (no need to read, just for my info too).
1.
Change to be more like Jesus! Gaze on God's glory & reflect it. God gives us a new heart to be able to do this, to be convinced that this is the ultimate good.
2.
Motive for change is NOT to impress (that's sin, even if it leads to good). That puts us at the centre. We need to a.) live in son's freedom b.) delight in delighting Jesus c.) be a holy, sacred place where God lives! -> Enjoy the freedom from sin & delight in God, given by God, a joyful gift!
3.
Self-change won't work. It's sinful legalism, slavery. Need to repent of our "good works". It's God's work. -> Father disciplining his child w/ suffering -> Jesus defeating guilt & power of sin -> Holy Spirit prompting to love. So Change/holiness/love is in my new spiritual DNA. So believe this! the gospel, the song of gospel grace.
4.
Sin is not from external circumstances, but from within. External circumstances pass through our heart filter leading to our behaviour. Our heart doesn't trust God. Doesn't worship God. So we sin. Answer: trust God instead of believing lies (faith), worship God instead of worshipping idols (Repentance)
5.
Preach to yourself! Sin is a symptom of believing lies. God is great, glorious, good, gracious. Instead of "I should not sin" -> "I NEED not sin, for God is good, glorious, great, gracious"
6.
Say no the moment sinful desires come. Desires make us captive. Desire God. e.g. getting annoyed because I desire my happiness over trusting God's sovereignty. Weed out evil desires and plant grace. Because "We always do what we WANT to do".
7.
Change stopped by 2 things. i.) Price, fighting sin is about ME. So we excuse, minimise, hide sin. No "buts", no reputation. Give up on self. Rejoice in Grace. ii.) We love sin (just hate consequences). Be violent! Cross-centered life in humility, hope, power, delight.
8.
You reap what you sow. -> Say no to what strengthens sinful desires (repentance) -> say yes to what strengthens spirit / holy desires (faith). Don't cuddle / pander sin, crucify it! It's like losing a bit of your heart (yes!), but redirect to God. Through bible, prayer, community, suffering, service, hope.
9.
God gave us community to help us grow/persevere. Helps press my buttons, spot my idolatrous desires. My private sin stops the church growing / reflecting Jesus the head. -> Speak the truth to fight the lies I believe. Rebuke regularly. Mess reflects grace, confess & be set free.
10.
Change is a lifetime, daily task. (But only one lifetime, then eternity!)Affirm identity in Christ, delight in God more than sin, in the "daily littles". Till Jesus returns and we SEE God's goodness, greatness, completely, and we sin no more.
April 12, 2017
Don't judge a book by its cover/cheesy title. This book was biblically grounded and a great read. heyoo.
December 25, 2014
I find the title to Tim Chester's book to be obnoxious and cheesy. In fact, I felt embarrassed reading it at Starbucks.
Yes, I'm a snob.
I find Chester's writing lacking, as he is prone to make sweeping generalizations and statements about absolute truth that are not absolute. Example: Chapter 5 begins with the statement that "Behind every sin and negative emotion is a lie." That is a sub-heading for the chapter and something to which Chester returns throughout the chapter and the book.
Had he not written the word 'every,' I might have gone with it. However, what I ended up doing instead of tracking with him was writing "cancer" into the margins every time he referred to that sub-heading.
As time went on, I went from writing "cancer," to writing...
CANCER
then,
CANCER
then,
FREAKING CANCER!
then,
B.S. - CANCER!
then,
Bull Shit! Cancer! Cancer! Cancer!
Now, I think you can probably figure out why I was writing that, but just in case, I'll explain: I think Christians should probably admit that there are certain situations that feel terrible even for the most spiritually magnificent among us. There are situations in life that come about through no error or sin, and no amount of truth can keep us from negative emotion in those situations. Cancer is one of the more obvious examples of when that's true. The book of Job is another obvious example, and one that God Himself provides for us.
It bothers me that Chester so obnoxiously generalizes, neglecting the relatively common human experience of undeserved and inexplicable pain and suffering.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I can tell you that Chapter 6 actually turned my hatred of this book around. It's the first chapter that dealt with sanctification as I would reasonably expect to have been written by a mature Christian. It addressed the depth and intangibility of character change, and it did so by referring to the gospel.
Highlight for you:
"In 1569, Dirk Willems escaped from a Dutch prison. He'd been imprisoned because he was an Anabaptist... Willems fled across a frozen lake, pursued by a prison guard. Half-starved from prison rations, Willems crossed the lake safely. But the guard fell through the ice into freezing water. Willems immediately turned back and pulled him out. The guard wanted to release Willems, but by then a burgomaster had arrived on the scene. Willems was arrested, tortured, and burned at the stake. Willems didn't have time to decide on the right thing to do. He reacted in a moment. That's a sign of Christian character. It's a sign that grace has become a habit. You can't create Christian character overnight. It's the fruit of suffering and perseverance (Romans 5:3-4). It's the harvest of daily weeding out sin and planting grace," (112).
Up until this point in the book, Chester seemed immature to me. He seemed like a writer of Christian self-help, which, I now think is probably what he's writing against. He also seemed like someone who knows very little of suffering or endurance. Of course those are unfair impressions generated from reading a hundred or so pages of the man's writing. I suspect he's a perfectly good Christian leader.
And yet, my greatest criticism of this book is that I wish it hadn't taken Chester five chapters to say what needs to be said. I think he was trying to lay a foundation in those five chapters, but I honestly wouldn't have read past them except that I'm in a Bible study that's committed to reading the book.
Yes, I'm a snob.
I find Chester's writing lacking, as he is prone to make sweeping generalizations and statements about absolute truth that are not absolute. Example: Chapter 5 begins with the statement that "Behind every sin and negative emotion is a lie." That is a sub-heading for the chapter and something to which Chester returns throughout the chapter and the book.
Had he not written the word 'every,' I might have gone with it. However, what I ended up doing instead of tracking with him was writing "cancer" into the margins every time he referred to that sub-heading.
As time went on, I went from writing "cancer," to writing...
CANCER
then,
CANCER
then,
FREAKING CANCER!
then,
B.S. - CANCER!
then,
Bull Shit! Cancer! Cancer! Cancer!
Now, I think you can probably figure out why I was writing that, but just in case, I'll explain: I think Christians should probably admit that there are certain situations that feel terrible even for the most spiritually magnificent among us. There are situations in life that come about through no error or sin, and no amount of truth can keep us from negative emotion in those situations. Cancer is one of the more obvious examples of when that's true. The book of Job is another obvious example, and one that God Himself provides for us.
It bothers me that Chester so obnoxiously generalizes, neglecting the relatively common human experience of undeserved and inexplicable pain and suffering.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I can tell you that Chapter 6 actually turned my hatred of this book around. It's the first chapter that dealt with sanctification as I would reasonably expect to have been written by a mature Christian. It addressed the depth and intangibility of character change, and it did so by referring to the gospel.
Highlight for you:
"In 1569, Dirk Willems escaped from a Dutch prison. He'd been imprisoned because he was an Anabaptist... Willems fled across a frozen lake, pursued by a prison guard. Half-starved from prison rations, Willems crossed the lake safely. But the guard fell through the ice into freezing water. Willems immediately turned back and pulled him out. The guard wanted to release Willems, but by then a burgomaster had arrived on the scene. Willems was arrested, tortured, and burned at the stake. Willems didn't have time to decide on the right thing to do. He reacted in a moment. That's a sign of Christian character. It's a sign that grace has become a habit. You can't create Christian character overnight. It's the fruit of suffering and perseverance (Romans 5:3-4). It's the harvest of daily weeding out sin and planting grace," (112).
Up until this point in the book, Chester seemed immature to me. He seemed like a writer of Christian self-help, which, I now think is probably what he's writing against. He also seemed like someone who knows very little of suffering or endurance. Of course those are unfair impressions generated from reading a hundred or so pages of the man's writing. I suspect he's a perfectly good Christian leader.
And yet, my greatest criticism of this book is that I wish it hadn't taken Chester five chapters to say what needs to be said. I think he was trying to lay a foundation in those five chapters, but I honestly wouldn't have read past them except that I'm in a Bible study that's committed to reading the book.
February 26, 2022
I finished this book last week with my pastor and his wife, and have been, frankly, avoiding my review. Why?
Because I didn't like it, but I don't have any real reason for why I didn't like it beyond it was hopeful, and I was not.
As a general rule I do not like spiritual self-help books. I don't like books that talk to me, and try to "counsel" me. I'd rather read a book that's directed at the third person, and feels less personal. One that doesn't feel like it's trying to preach to me personally.
But I suppose that's a pride defense mechanism.
To be completely honest, You Can Change makes many good points. It presents a non-watered down Gospel, and puts the emphasis that the Gospel is not only for the unsaved, but it's especially for the believer. The Gospel is our source of hope, and if we as a Christian do not have and show the hope that is in us, then...we are probably missing some point somewhere. (Note: I'm not saying "If we aren't hopeful, we aren't saved" which leads into an entirely different argument of eternal security which I won't get into here).
It was a difficult book for a cynic like myself to go through. Because, as a cynic, my pride in my cynicism and my steadfast determination to not be happy so-help-me...is pretty strong.
However, thanks to my pastor and his wife's guidance through the pages, I managed to get something out of it. My heart is a bit less cynical now, and hope seems less of a quality of the ignorant, and more a quality and gift of the adopted child of God.
That said, I still found getting through the pages of somewhat cheesy and sometimes simplified (in a negative way) wording to be difficult. I didn't want to read it because, again, it was hard to let go of my word-picky pride enough to get something out of it just because it was "simple."
A lot of the questions at the end of the chapters are, again, cheesy, whereas some others are very direct, trying to get to the heart of whatever your "change project" is. The real heart, not the heart that you may try to pretend to have toward your issue.
This book will appeal to and help some people, and to others it may just be a sugary-sweet turnoff.
Either way, I wouldn't suggest going through it by yourself. Go through with a pastor or a trusted friend who gives wise counsel. If your inclination is to believe anything you hear, having someone will help you truly digest what the words are saying and help you truly search your heart. If you're like me, and want to turn your nose up at anything that claims to "fix stuff," that someone can help you locate just what is really bothering you about it. Is it for legitimate reasons? Or is it just because cynicism is comfy?
Hope is scary for some people. And regardless of whether or not you're predisposed to be a negative rain cloud (like I am) for "legit" reasons or just because, for the Christian, it is still not a right response to life.
You Can Change points out the Biblical reasons for hope, and strives to be encouraging while not sugar-coating Biblical responsibility for our actions and reactions to circumstances and life in general.
I'm leaving my star rating for the book blank because I'm still fighting against wanting to give it 1 or 2 stars, when there is no theological reason for me to have disliked it.
Because I didn't like it, but I don't have any real reason for why I didn't like it beyond it was hopeful, and I was not.
As a general rule I do not like spiritual self-help books. I don't like books that talk to me, and try to "counsel" me. I'd rather read a book that's directed at the third person, and feels less personal. One that doesn't feel like it's trying to preach to me personally.
But I suppose that's a pride defense mechanism.
To be completely honest, You Can Change makes many good points. It presents a non-watered down Gospel, and puts the emphasis that the Gospel is not only for the unsaved, but it's especially for the believer. The Gospel is our source of hope, and if we as a Christian do not have and show the hope that is in us, then...we are probably missing some point somewhere. (Note: I'm not saying "If we aren't hopeful, we aren't saved" which leads into an entirely different argument of eternal security which I won't get into here).
It was a difficult book for a cynic like myself to go through. Because, as a cynic, my pride in my cynicism and my steadfast determination to not be happy so-help-me...is pretty strong.
However, thanks to my pastor and his wife's guidance through the pages, I managed to get something out of it. My heart is a bit less cynical now, and hope seems less of a quality of the ignorant, and more a quality and gift of the adopted child of God.
That said, I still found getting through the pages of somewhat cheesy and sometimes simplified (in a negative way) wording to be difficult. I didn't want to read it because, again, it was hard to let go of my word-picky pride enough to get something out of it just because it was "simple."
A lot of the questions at the end of the chapters are, again, cheesy, whereas some others are very direct, trying to get to the heart of whatever your "change project" is. The real heart, not the heart that you may try to pretend to have toward your issue.
This book will appeal to and help some people, and to others it may just be a sugary-sweet turnoff.
Either way, I wouldn't suggest going through it by yourself. Go through with a pastor or a trusted friend who gives wise counsel. If your inclination is to believe anything you hear, having someone will help you truly digest what the words are saying and help you truly search your heart. If you're like me, and want to turn your nose up at anything that claims to "fix stuff," that someone can help you locate just what is really bothering you about it. Is it for legitimate reasons? Or is it just because cynicism is comfy?
Hope is scary for some people. And regardless of whether or not you're predisposed to be a negative rain cloud (like I am) for "legit" reasons or just because, for the Christian, it is still not a right response to life.
You Can Change points out the Biblical reasons for hope, and strives to be encouraging while not sugar-coating Biblical responsibility for our actions and reactions to circumstances and life in general.
I'm leaving my star rating for the book blank because I'm still fighting against wanting to give it 1 or 2 stars, when there is no theological reason for me to have disliked it.
January 1, 2013
This is a good book about gospel powered sanctification. We sin because we desire other things more than we desire God, or because we do not want the hope that is offered to us in the Gospel.
Chester explains that Holiness is what would truly complete us as humans. God wants our ultimate happiness, and we must trust him for how to find it. Therefore, the path to change means we must turn away (repent) from the false things we believe about God, and from the idols we pursue instead of God, and turn to (believe) the truth about God and the hope he offers in Christ.
Chester goes on to explain that we will continue this change only as we get to the roots of our sin, live in community, and continually use the means that God has given us for our growth (means of grace).
Overall, it is a good book, a great one if you have never thought through these things before. It is both theologically clear and practically useful.
However, I do think he fails to acknowledge some of our deeper issues that may stand in the way of change. Sometimes I believe the truth about God, and reject the lies the world tells me and yet I still sin. Sometimes I am driven by compulsions that I don't even understand. To heal from those compulsions we may need more than simple advice. We may need someone to walk with us as we go deeper.
You Can Change is not the last book you will ever need on growing in holiness. But it is a great first one.
Chester explains that Holiness is what would truly complete us as humans. God wants our ultimate happiness, and we must trust him for how to find it. Therefore, the path to change means we must turn away (repent) from the false things we believe about God, and from the idols we pursue instead of God, and turn to (believe) the truth about God and the hope he offers in Christ.
Chester goes on to explain that we will continue this change only as we get to the roots of our sin, live in community, and continually use the means that God has given us for our growth (means of grace).
Overall, it is a good book, a great one if you have never thought through these things before. It is both theologically clear and practically useful.
However, I do think he fails to acknowledge some of our deeper issues that may stand in the way of change. Sometimes I believe the truth about God, and reject the lies the world tells me and yet I still sin. Sometimes I am driven by compulsions that I don't even understand. To heal from those compulsions we may need more than simple advice. We may need someone to walk with us as we go deeper.
You Can Change is not the last book you will ever need on growing in holiness. But it is a great first one.
April 2, 2015
At first I thought this book was going to be cheesy Christian self help. The first few chapters could even be summarized by the catch phrase WWJD. But then it took a turn, and focused on where change really starts. The free gift of salvation and grace changes our hearts and redirects our desires. Life in Christ is a life of competing desires, and we should desire Christ. In turn our behaviors change. That is overs simplified and the book gives practical advice as well but the meditations were solid.
One enjoyable illustration was how we tend to see sanctification. We tend to see our fight against sin as trying to push a heavy boulder up a hill, sure we might make progress but its a burden. Chester says that this analogy isn't quite right. Instead God promises victory over sin and changing desires. Sanctification is like a boulder rolling down a hill over us. God is faithful to complete a good work in you. Sometimes our sinful hearts and nature fight against the rolling of the rock and we push it back up the hill.
One enjoyable illustration was how we tend to see sanctification. We tend to see our fight against sin as trying to push a heavy boulder up a hill, sure we might make progress but its a burden. Chester says that this analogy isn't quite right. Instead God promises victory over sin and changing desires. Sanctification is like a boulder rolling down a hill over us. God is faithful to complete a good work in you. Sometimes our sinful hearts and nature fight against the rolling of the rock and we push it back up the hill.
January 3, 2014
Tim Chester is becoming a favourite author. His theology is good, but his real gift is being practical. You Can Change is a step by step examination of how the gospel changes us. Discussions of sanctification easily become abstract, but Chester keeps things very concrete. What's more, every chapter ends with reflection questions and a "Change Project". I particularly love the 4 part grid for gospel transformation that shows up in several of his books: 1) God is Great, so we do not have to be in control, 2) God is glorious, so we do not have to fear others, 3) God is good, so we do not have to look elsewhere, and 4) God is gracious, so we do not have to prove ourselves. The Further Reading list (most of which are referenced heavily throughout) is absolute gold.
May 22, 2011
This is a fantastic book.
Chester explores the truth of Sin and how we need to deal with the Sin in our lives.
I found this book extremely helpful in understanding Sin and how we need to deal with Sin to change and become more like Christ.
This is a must read for all Christians that are journeying with Christ and frustrated with the effects of Sin on our lives; especially those stubborn Sins that just seem to be impossible to shift.
Great Book!
Chester explores the truth of Sin and how we need to deal with the Sin in our lives.
I found this book extremely helpful in understanding Sin and how we need to deal with Sin to change and become more like Christ.
This is a must read for all Christians that are journeying with Christ and frustrated with the effects of Sin on our lives; especially those stubborn Sins that just seem to be impossible to shift.
Great Book!
July 27, 2022
You Can Change was really practical and engaging. The chapters are structured as questions around “change” and there are also thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter to help recap what’s been covered. “Change”, enacted by God’s grace in the gospel, and legalism were distinguished well and I thought this book was helpful for looking at how Christians should biblically think about change.
August 9, 2013
Great book on fighting sin through faith and repentance. I would recommend this to anyone in any type of small group leadership.
March 14, 2016
Excellent and practical book, that I plan to re-read.
August 28, 2016
One of my favorite books of truth. I go back to the principles in here often.
May 21, 2020
The book acts as an introduction to the doctrine of sanctification, so he covers a lot of ground theologically. This is a strength of the book, but it also keeps it from having focus and direction.
The challenge to have a “change project” (i.e. a specific sin problem you want to work on through the book) does add to the value of the book. The questions at the end of each chapter offer further opportunity to work on your change project. The questions are sometimes a bit straightforward, so the reader would need to have some ability to elaborate and take their answers in meaningful directions, which I’ve found isn’t always easy to do for people who aren’t naturals at self-reflection and journaling. Nevertheless, there are about a dozen different questions for each chapter, so you have several to choose from and find one that connects with each reader helping them go deeper.
As proved by skimming over other reviews, this book is not likely to be thoroughly appreciated by counselors or soul care experts. Chester is a pastor and (almost equally as much) a theologian. So he doesn’t approach the process of walking through change with people with all the empathy, compassion, and skill as the best counselors and and best counseling books do. Not to say he has no empathy or compassion, but his approach is going to stand in contrast to works by Chuck DeGroat, Larry Crabb, and John Eldridge for example. This is likely both a strength and weakness of the book.
The challenge to have a “change project” (i.e. a specific sin problem you want to work on through the book) does add to the value of the book. The questions at the end of each chapter offer further opportunity to work on your change project. The questions are sometimes a bit straightforward, so the reader would need to have some ability to elaborate and take their answers in meaningful directions, which I’ve found isn’t always easy to do for people who aren’t naturals at self-reflection and journaling. Nevertheless, there are about a dozen different questions for each chapter, so you have several to choose from and find one that connects with each reader helping them go deeper.
As proved by skimming over other reviews, this book is not likely to be thoroughly appreciated by counselors or soul care experts. Chester is a pastor and (almost equally as much) a theologian. So he doesn’t approach the process of walking through change with people with all the empathy, compassion, and skill as the best counselors and and best counseling books do. Not to say he has no empathy or compassion, but his approach is going to stand in contrast to works by Chuck DeGroat, Larry Crabb, and John Eldridge for example. This is likely both a strength and weakness of the book.
February 27, 2021
4 Stars
Why 4 stars?
Pros:
- Excellent book for small group of believers. Chester dives into topics of sin, motivation, confession, grace, etc. It challenges the reader to think about their own depravity and need for the cross.
-Some of the questions at the back of the book were helpful. They helped prod the reader and small group.
- Very applicational. Chester weaves intimate stories about his own life and those he's counselled. This helps the reader sympathize and visualize the situation.
Cons:
- While I understand this is not an academic work, I was disappointed with the lack of resources and study of other biblical counseling materials.
- While some of the questions at the end of each chapter were helpful, others were repetitive or exhaustive. He could have done a better job of limiting his questions.
Why 4 stars?
Pros:
- Excellent book for small group of believers. Chester dives into topics of sin, motivation, confession, grace, etc. It challenges the reader to think about their own depravity and need for the cross.
-Some of the questions at the back of the book were helpful. They helped prod the reader and small group.
- Very applicational. Chester weaves intimate stories about his own life and those he's counselled. This helps the reader sympathize and visualize the situation.
Cons:
- While I understand this is not an academic work, I was disappointed with the lack of resources and study of other biblical counseling materials.
- While some of the questions at the end of each chapter were helpful, others were repetitive or exhaustive. He could have done a better job of limiting his questions.
December 31, 2019
Great book! It is packed with deep truths about God (Gospel) and practical advice about holy living. The book breaks down all the reasons why we sin and goes back to the root problem - we sin because we believe lies about God, which we are told by the world, the devil and our own sinful desires. It is not just about changing your behavior, it is about ceasing to believe those lies in the first place, and then doing what you can to stop feeding your mind with those lies... There is a lot more practical advice. This book is definitely worth reading slowly and repeatedly, which I should probably do some time in the future. Note to self - do not chase reading challenges with books such as this one.
June 9, 2017
Great book on the Reformed view of sanctification and how to practice it for true personal change.
Some helpful quotes:
(1) Chapter 1: What would you like to change?
-pg. 18: The secret of gospel change is being convinced that Jesus is the good life and the fountain of all joy.
-pg. 23: The message of this book is that change takes place in our lives as we turn to see the glory of God in Jesus. We 'see' the glory of Christ as we 'hear' the gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). Moral effort, fear of judgment and sets of rules can't bring lasting change. But amazing things happen when we 'turn to the Lord'.
(2) Chapter 2: Why would you like to change?
Some helpful quotes:
(1) Chapter 1: What would you like to change?
-pg. 18: The secret of gospel change is being convinced that Jesus is the good life and the fountain of all joy.
-pg. 23: The message of this book is that change takes place in our lives as we turn to see the glory of God in Jesus. We 'see' the glory of Christ as we 'hear' the gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). Moral effort, fear of judgment and sets of rules can't bring lasting change. But amazing things happen when we 'turn to the Lord'.
(2) Chapter 2: Why would you like to change?
April 1, 2022
This is a great book that gives very practical ways to overcome the sin and negative emotions through the transforming power of God. Chester gives many examples of questions and excuses that we give of why we should not change from our current behavior and combats them using scripture. He wraps up his book by saying that changes a lifelong process; we, sinners, are prone to wander and our battle between flesh and spirit will be constant, until the day of our death. Even so, he reminds us of the victory that we have over sin through Jesus Christ and are going to turn away from sin and turn toward Jesus.
June 10, 2019
I’m a moderate-to-large fan of Tim Chester’s books, and I’ve recently re-read one of his older ones that I’ve found deeply helpful. I’ve recently been becoming more and more aware of some negative and sinful patterns in my life, and the affects that this has on my relationship with God, people around me, and even myself. A trusted friend gave me You Can Change, and it has been a really helpful tool for moving away from sin and negativity, and towards Jesus.
Full review over at my blog: https://www.thomascreedy.co.uk/book-r...
Full review over at my blog: https://www.thomascreedy.co.uk/book-r...
May 28, 2020
This book was really interesting. A thorough and artfully written perspective on change from a biblical perspective. It takes a bit of a different angle compared to other change books from a faith perspective. Helpful reflection questions along the way. Interesting thought that ongoing change boils down to faith and repentance at its core as well as the focus on the seriousness of sin and how we easily excuse it when it comes out in our 1000 little choices in the day. Also important to keep in mind is the call to ongoing change throughout our life as sanctification is a lifelong process.
January 1, 2021
I liked that there was not a lot of fluff in this book. I would have never picked up this book by looking at the title, but I heard a trusted friend recommend it. I appreciated the thread woven throughout the book that challenges Jesus followers to be honest about sin and lean into the various means of grace that God mercifully provides, with community and the local church being places where we can grow and change. “Sin is like mold: it grows best in the dark. Expose it to the light and it starts to dry up.”
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