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Lesson Five: Key Truths About the Transformation Process
Lesson Five examines the process of spiritual transformation into Christ-likeness, portraying it as a supernatural work of God that demands faith, intentional effort, and perseverance. It introduces "faithing it," the act of trusting in God’s transformative power even when immediate changes are not felt or seen. The lesson also addresses challenges—termed "walls" (obstacles) and "resistance" (opposing forces)—that believers face, providing biblical examples and practical guidance to overcome them through reliance on God’s power. Transformation is presented as a gradual process, described as "holy displacement," where Christ-like qualities slowly replace fleshly behaviors over time.
#### Key Points
1. **God’s Work Is Supernatural**
- Transformation transcends natural human abilities and explanations, relying entirely on God’s power through faith.
- This can be difficult to grasp since we often depend on sensory experiences, making faith critical when God’s work isn’t immediately tangible.
2. **Walking by Faith**
- Faith, per Hebrews 11:1, is the assurance of things hoped for and conviction of things unseen, independent of feelings or experiences.
- Believers must trust God is shaping them into Christ-likeness even without immediate evidence.
3. **Faithing It Before Experiencing Transformation**
- "Faithing it" involves persistent belief in God’s work despite no initial change, exemplified by the Israelites circling Jericho for seven days before the walls fell (Joshua 6:2-5).
- Example: Forgiving someone may require "faithing it" until Christ’s forgiveness is genuinely experienced.
4. **Intentionality and Determination**
- Spiritual growth requires deliberate effort and resolve, similar to mastering a skill or hobby.
- Motivations include overcoming sin, achieving freedom from fleshly behaviors, and growing closer to God.
5. **Holy Displacement**
- Transformation is a process where the Holy Spirit replaces negative traits (e.g., selfishness) with Christ-like qualities (e.g., selflessness), akin to clean water displacing dirty water.
- Example: A man, after six months of "faithing it," moved from hating his brother to loving him, resulting in reconciliation.
6. **Transformation as a Process**
- Typically gradual, like a slow IV drip rather than an instant injection, this process strengthens faith over time.
- Analogy: Like tea steeping in water, Christ-likeness gradually infuses the believer.
7. **Christ-like Attitudes**
- Faith leads to attitudes of Christ-likeness, influencing thoughts, feelings, and choices (e.g., replacing pride with humility).
- Example: Overcoming self-righteousness to exhibit humility in all life areas.
8. **Walls and Resistance**
- **Walls (Obstacles)**: Include struggles, impatience, temptation, unbelief, unmet expectations, and distractions, which can hinder faith.
- Example: Entrusting impatience to God to receive Christ’s patience.
- **Resistance**: Arises from the flesh, Satan, the world, and others’ flesh, tempting believers to abandon faith.
- Engaging God’s power is essential to overcome these forces.
9. **Overcoming Fleshly Resistance and Strongholds**
- The flesh resists change, potentially leading to bondage or strongholds (reinforced behaviors like addictions).
- Spiritual will (desire to rely on God) grows stronger through faith, overpowering fleshly will (resistance).
- Example: A man overcame a 20-year pornography stronghold by persistently exercising faith.
10. **The Fight of Faith**
- Engaging God’s power to conquer resistance is the "fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12), requiring perseverance.
- Over time, believers spend less time in fleshly behaviors and more in Christ-likeness, such as moving from judgment to love.
#### Key Takeaways
- Transformation is a faith-driven, supernatural journey requiring trust in God without immediate proof.
- Intentionality, persistence, and dependence on the Holy Spirit are vital to navigate obstacles and resistance.
- This gradual process builds faith, replaces fleshly traits with Christ-like ones, and fosters lasting godly attitudes.
- Practical steps, like prayer and reliance on God’s power, help believers overcome walls, resistance, and strongholds.
