It can be quite similar with good changes too. We can have a moment in which a great deal changes for us in our perspective, beliefs, way of life. But after that, there is ongoing transformation needed to establish these changes in our lives, or we change back to the old ways again.

It is how we respond to the working of the Spirit of God in our lives that will make the changes lasting in us or not: Whether we honestly and humbly continue on in the direction that new change is taking us, through transformation, or whether we go back again to the way things were. Change is not a one time thing that happens and then remains without further change. Change is ongoing and continuous, in one direction or another, and the change we need involves allowing the Spirit of God to continually transform us from the inside out.

Those who act like they have changed instantly–especially those who talk about it all the time–fall back to their old ways within a few weeks, months, sometimes even within a matter of days. I have never seen differently, that I can recall.

The quick-change people, sometimes described as having gotten “too good, too fast,” never really changed. Some of them may have “wanted to want to”, and may even have believed they had changed, but they all lacked the honesty and humility required for real (deep and lasting) change.

God will change us–if we want Him to and if we let Him.