Christa

A social media influencer shared advice for Christians wanting their loved ones to change for the better. He said, “You don’t have the ability to convince or change people to be good.”

Obinna Ejimogu, also known as @godbackedguy, has been asked by several people how to keep their loved ones from engaging in harmful behaviors. One mother shared that her daughter had gone astray and entered the adult media industry. Another person confessed that his brother was involved in fraud and struggling with addiction, while another lamented her sister’s homosexuality.

Many can relate to their grief, as we all likely have a loved one who needs Jesus. Though we may be desperate for them to change their ways, it cannot be achieved merely through convincing or talking to them. @godbackedguy reminded his audience of what really needs to be done.

“A lot of times we get so emotional trying to change people, thinking we can convince them to be good or to believe what we believe,” he said. “But you can’t; you don’t have the power or ability to.”

THE HOLY SPIRIT

He emphasized that only the Holy Spirit can transform people, but we also have a role to play.

“The only way people can truly change is through the power of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can change a person by transforming them from within. But He needs you to sow the seed in the hearts of people. That’s your only job—not trying to convince them. Just sow the seeds.”

So, what are these seeds?

He explained, “Tell people about Jesus, share the Gospel with them. Back it up with prayers, and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. He is amazing at that job.”

One follower expressed concern about loved ones who refuse to listen. She asked, “Can prayer alone be enough, or does God want us to do more?”

Leona Bundy, a fellow minister, responded, “You can only pray that God will speak to them in a way they will understand. Pray that He will give them what they need to turn to Him, and they will be given the same opportunity to accept Him.”

 

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A post shared by Obinna Harrison Ejimogu (@godbackedguy)

Ryan Miller provides insight into how to defeat intrusive thoughts according to the Bible.

Defeat Intrusive Thoughts

The Bible has all the solutions one needs to overcome daily troubles. And so, when people get overwhelmed with their concerns and intrusive thoughts, Ryan laid out Biblical principles for defeating them.

He referred to three passages in the Bible.

First, he looked to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

He said, “Jesus gives this whole sermon on anxiety, and then He caps it with this one epic line where He says, ‘Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.’ And what gets echoed in that line is Philippians chapter four.”

Philippians chapter four shares what a believer should focus their thoughts on: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Ryan explained, “Don’t think about ‘what ifs,’ don’t think about the future. Get out of the future, get out of tomorrow—it’ll worry about itself. But ground yourself in the ‘what is.’ Whatever is true, whatever is lovely, whatever is noble—think on these things, and what happens? The peace of Christ floods your heart.”

Lastly, he referred to Psalm 94:19: “When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy.”

“Your first place to run is like it says in Psalm 94: ‘When my anxious thoughts multiply, Your consolation, Lord, heals my soul.’ You run into the arms of Jesus, and you trade the fears of the future, the ‘what ifs,’ for the ‘what is,’ and you ground yourself right there in His arms.”

 

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