We all have someone we turn to for advice, someone we share good news with, and someone we seek out during difficult decisions. But here's a profound truth: you are gradually becoming like that person you consistently run to. This reality should make us pause and consider who we're allowing to shape us.
What Does It Mean to Be "Becoming"?
Every single person is in a process of becoming something. Whether we realize it or not, we're either becoming richer or poorer, stronger or weaker, more spiritual or less spiritual. We're all moving toward something, and there are specific influences we expose ourselves to that determine what we're becoming.
This process of becoming falls into three categories: what we want to become, what the devil wants us to become, and what God wants us to become.
What We Want to Become
Everyone has dreams and ambitions. Some want to become wealthy and famous, others want marriage, business ownership, parenthood, or spiritual growth. These desires aren't wrong - they're natural human aspirations that drive us forward.
What the Devil Wants Us to Become
The enemy has his own agenda for our lives. He wants people to become:
- Fearful (fear is a spirit, not just a feeling)
- Stressed (what the Bible calls "the spirit of heaviness")
- Unholy
- Too busy for God
- Unthankful
- Proud
- Spiritually dead and dry
- Disobedient
- Prayerless
- Unforgiving
- Sinful
If you find more excitement at parties than at church, you may be becoming spiritually dry. If you struggle with unforgiveness, the enemy is keeping you in a place where your prayers aren't heard in heaven.
What Does God Want Us to Become?
God's primary desire is for us to become like Christ. This isn't about wealth or fame - though those may come - but about spiritual transformation that aligns our minds, thoughts, and actions with His will.
When Jesus called the fishermen by the Sea of Galilee, He said, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." This reveals three crucial elements:
1. Follow
Following Christ means active obedience and complete commitment. It's not enough to believe in Christ - we must belong to Him. Following requires walking the same path Jesus walked, imitating His character and choices.
2. Becoming
Becoming involves spiritual transformation - moving from one inner condition to another. It's about experiencing renewal of mind, changing how we think to align with God's ways rather than worldly thinking.
3. Make
God promises to construct us into what we were created to become. He will lead us, mold us, and shape us into our divine purpose - but only as we follow Him.
The Requirements for Following Christ
Jesus outlined clear requirements for discipleship in Matthew 16:24. If anyone wishes to follow Him, they must:
Deny Themselves
This means setting aside selfish interests. Check your prayers - are they filled with "I," "me," and "my"? True discipleship requires moving beyond self-centered living to kingdom-focused living.
Take Up Their Cross
Taking up your cross means expressing willingness to endure whatever may come. This includes church hurt, betrayal by friends, lies from others, and various forms of suffering. When you stop following Christ because of someone else's behavior, you're not carrying your cross.
Follow Him
This involves imitating Christ's character and walking His path. If Christ wouldn't go to certain places, neither should you. If Christ forgives, you must forgive. If Christ wouldn't lie or gossip, neither should you.
The Breaking Process
As you deny yourself and take up your cross, Christ begins breaking you. Like a wild horse that must be tamed before it can be ridden, we must be broken of our self-will before God can use us effectively.
Your needs are not as important as the character of Christ that God wants to create in you. He may delay answering certain prayers while He works on developing your character, because character comes before calling.
Moving Beyond Religious Experience
Many people seek dramatic spiritual experiences - falling down, speaking in tongues, or feeling powerful emotions. While these experiences aren't wrong, they're not the goal. The real question is: what lasting change is happening in your character?
True spiritual transformation isn't measured by how you fall or what you feel, but by how you live, love, and reflect Christ's character in daily life.
Life Application
This week, make a decision about what you're going to change in your life to truly follow Christ. Move beyond religious activities to genuine discipleship. Ask yourself:
- What selfish interests do I need to set aside?
- What cross am I avoiding that I need to pick up?
- In what areas of my life am I not imitating Christ?
- Who or what am I following instead of Jesus?
- What character issues is God trying to address in my life?
Remember: delayed obedience is disobedience. When you hear God's word, respond immediately. The process of becoming requires active participation, not passive waiting. As you follow Christ with complete commitment, He will make you into everything He created you to become.
