True Transformation

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
1 Samuel 10:1-11:15

"'Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man' ...  So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart..."  I Samuel 10:6,9 (NKJV)

True transformation is an act of God by the working of the Holy Spirit.  Jeremiah says it this way, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?  Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil" (Jer. 13:23).  Human efforts to bring lasting change are futile.  They may bring temporary relief, but usually it's just swapping one bad habit for another. 

How can anyone really become a new person?  Saul is a study in the working of God in a very carnal individual.  He was "head and shoulders" above all his fellow countrymen.  He was a man driven by "head" (human reasoning) and "shoulders" (human strength).  He was by all outward indications a very imposing, impressive man.  But inside, he was very small and weak. 

In order to become all that God wanted for him, Saul had to become a new man.  The tragedy of King Saul is that he really COULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT LEADER.  But the only way was for him to STAY IN GOD'S PRESENCE.  Scripture says that when the Spirit came upon him, he became a new man.  But, when the Spirit lifted off of him, he was prone to anger, depression, and insecurity. 

The key to lasting success is not training our natural man to operate better.  That can only take you so far.  The real answer is "seek first the kingdom of God!"  Stay in connection with the Holy Spirit!  He makes you a new person.  He makes you capable.  He makes you a leader.  You never looked and felt better than when you are walking in the fullness of God's presence!