UNDERSTANDING TRANSFORMATION BY PR. DENIS KALUNGI

KIREKA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

What is a transformation in salvation? 

What delays transformation? It has led so many spiritual infants to quite a salvation because someone confessed salvation 7years later while a thief till now he is a thief in Christ. Others discourage the newly confessed Christians!! We were also like you when we had just confessed Christ, you will also give up!!

According to worldly people, transformation means “a complete or major change in someone or something’s appearance, form and to others acquiring property, etc. 

But as Christians, it’s a change of our behavior from the sinful canal inner man to be more “like-Christ who is spirit “. By looking closely at the two verses, we find that transformation in the Bible means something completely different from what we might think. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18: But we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting like a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory. “Meaning with the spiritual transformation we have to work on our mind to be like-Christ.”

Transformation also may involve letting go of old ways of doing things, of beliefs that no longer fit the way we understand God and his love. This is what Apostle Paul said? This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, {Ephesians 4:17}

In the view above apostles edified on this because if anyone confesses Jesus Christ he or she becomes a new meaning the old go but what is old? For this, I can say the old is the sinful carnal man who dies with Christ in baptism. See herein {2 Corinthians 5:17}. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life.{Romans 6:4}

All the above statements clarify what Apostle Paul wrote in {Romans 12:2} And do not be fashioned according to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and well-pleasing and perfect. “You can’t have a physical transformation until you have a spiritual transformation.” By spiritual transformation, we mean transformation of the mind.

In the New Testament, transformation is a Greek word that is used to mean metamorphosis. The definition of metamorphosis is “a deep change in an organism from one form or stage to another in its life history, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly.” Let us see what happens in the metamorphosis “transformation” of a caterpillar.

A caterpillar is born already possessing the life that will cause it to become a butterfly. Although an outward change does occur during metamorphosis, it’s the result of an organic change from within.  A caterpillar doesn’t put on a butterfly costume or strive to act like a butterfly. As long as it eats, a caterpillar can trust in the metabolic process to assimilate those nutrients into its body and cause it to grow. Eventually, it undergoes metamorphosis and becomes a butterfly.

What about Transformation in our Christian life?

When we prayed to receive Christ as our Savior, we were regenerated, or reborn, with the divine life of God within to become children of God. This life operates within us to transform us into the image of Christ. However, like a caterpillar, we also need to eat to be transformed. 

In John 6:35, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall by no means hunger, and he who believes into me shall by no means ever thirst.” The Lord wants us to take Him as our spiritual food every day. This is the way for us to grow and be transformed.

As we eat and drink of the Lord Jesus, we’re supplied to grow in His divine life. This growth is the process described in 2 Corinthians 3:18 of being transformed little by little, from one degree of glory to another, into the image of Christ. 

The New Testament also reminds us that to be transformed into the same image Christ, is to be conformed to the resurrected and glorified Christ, to be made the same as He is Rom. 8:29.” By taking Christ in as our food, we receive and assimilate more of His element into us. Thus, we experience a transformation that’s not merely outward, but one that results from being spiritually nourished.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, {2 Corinthians 4:16-17}

What transformation is not?

Transformation is not a change brought about by simply doing well or improving behavior. For example, an undernourished woman who looks sickly and pale may try to improve her appearance by applying makeup. Although she might appear healthier, it’s only cosmetic—something outward that can not cause any improvement.

If this woman was instead to eat healthy, nourishing food, a noticeable, lasting change would occur. Her complexion or appearance would improve, and her body would be strengthened. Eventually, her healthy appearance would be the result not of something she did outwardly, but a change from within as a result of an organic, metabolic process.

Attempting to behave like Christ is like applying makeup: our inward condition remains the same, but we try to cover it up by doing good deeds or improving our conduct. As a result, what people see is not Christ Himself living in us and expressed in our lives because we are spiritually undernourished and spiritually undernourished people striving to imitate Him.

Genuine transformation is different. An inward change occurs in our being as we take in Christ as our spiritual food and drink. As we eat, we allow the divine life within us to operate, and our “appearance” gradually improves until we spontaneously begin to express Christ more in our daily lives. 

“When you find your definitions in God, you find the very purpose for which you were created. Put your hand into God’s hand, know His absolutes, and demonstrate His love, present His truth, and the message of redemption and transformation will take hold.” 

The following are powerful bible transformation principles:

First, we are responsible for renewing our minds Roman 12:2. Though God saves us and gives us a new spirit, No person can control our thoughts and focus our minds on what honors him, so that our minds can be transformed. Therefore, we must meditate on the Word, considering what it means and applying the truth we discover to our lives. “The purpose of meditation is personal transformation.” 

Second, we must be ready to admit our failures and assume responsibility for them. When we deny our sins, we delay our spiritual growth. But when we confess our transgressions, the opposite happens – we mature because we admit our dependence upon God. John tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9. “We need to realize that our path to transformation is through our mistakes. We’re meant to make mistakes, recognize them, confess them, repent them and move on to become unlimited.” 

The third step naturally follows the second – after confession should come repentance. This is more than acknowledging wrongdoing or promising to try harder. Repentance means we commit to making an about-face and heading in the opposite direction from our sin. Paul taught, “Repent and turn to God and demonstrate [you're] repentance by [your] deeds” Acts 26:20. Instead of behavior that is unbecoming to a believer, the fruit of the Spirit produced in us – “Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Gal 5:22-23.

In the view above, Gal. 6:7-8 " Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” everlasting."

The mind is like a farmer’s field. If a farmer plants corn he will get corn. If he plants wheat he will get wheat. It would be unwise for the farmer to plant corn and then expect to harvest wheat. It is simple, whatever you plant is what you get. If you sow to the flesh you will reap corruption. 

It is impossible for any person to sow to your flesh and get a spiritual harvest. God has given you the ability to control what you sow and thereby control what you harvest. If you experience defeat over sin, lack power, and never really walk in all the fullness of God then it is time to examine your thoughts.

Romans 8:5-8 "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set our minds on the flesh leads to death, but to set our minds on the Spirit leads to life and peace. That is why the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile toward God. For it refuses to submit to the authority of God's law because it is powerless to do so. Indeed, those who are under the control of the flesh cannot please God."

Colossian3:1-5 "You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your mind and heart on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. Keep your mind fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

Your real life is Christ and when he appears, then you too will appear with him and share his glory! You must put to death, then, the earthly desires at work in you, such as sexual immorality, indecency, lust, evil passions, and greed (for greed is a form of idolatry).

It’s said in 2 Peter 1:3-4, it’s a promise, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a Godly life.” It is God who transforms us into his image, but it is our responsibility to implement all that he teaches us.

In the above view he peter writes herein 2 Peter 1:5-7 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” God’s ultimate goal is for all believers to become more Christ-like. That happens only through faith by obeying his commands and implementing his principles.

There are two kinds of delay divine delay and satanic delay

There are times that God Himself will cause a divine delay in His plans for your life. He does that for His own purpose where you go through a process of pruning, after that comes growth and development. Case in point. I recall in my early years right after I first surrendered my life to God and accepted His Son Jesus Christ into my heart as Lord and Savior, I had a habit of wanting everything to happen in my life or with my plans with a lightning speed

Can you relate to that? Am I the only one herein who has always wanted things to happen at a lightning speed but we must realize as we delight in the beauty of the butterfly, there changes it admits to going through to achieve that beauty?

To help me overcome that bad habit, and not to be conformed anymore to the ways of the world. I had to go through a very painful pruning process so that my ways, my thoughts, and my attitude could now be in alignment with that of God. That process of transformation not only caused a divine delay in the plans of God for my life but also delayed my blessings.

Now that was clearly God taking me through a process. He was working patience out in me and bringing it to a place of perfection for assured us my timing to be more synchronized with His. As it is written: But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” {James 1:3-4}

Whenever it is God’s divine delay, you go through a process of pruning, growth, development, maturity after that comes the manifestation of His plans, blessings, and favor in your life. In this segment, it is understood that one reason God causes divine delays “such as my experience” is that His ways are not our ways. 

Isaiah 55:8-9 additionally divine delay comes such that we can begin to demonstrate our faith in God and build spiritual muscles. Galatians 6:9 He delays so that He can bless our patience Hebrews 6:10 and that whatever situation you are faced with, He alone is glorified at the end {John: 11:4}

Now it is completely different when there is stagnation and delay that is demonic. This is when you do all that you can and you still cannot seem to get a breakthrough. Your life goes disorganized! Your life is constantly on a roller coaster. At the very beginning of this article, this can go around the circles and your breakthroughs are short-lived.

You become discouraged to the point where you feel like giving up. You feel the frustration every day because somewhere in your heart, you know that is not how your life is supposed to be. You received prophecies after prophecies and nothing seem to manifest. Your life is stagnated. 

Examples of God’s delay on record are:

James 1:12, blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 

1 peter 5:10, And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

James 4:3 when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

Psalms 81;13 If only My people would listen to Me if Israel would follow ways, how soon I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes!…

Deuteronomy 8:5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.

Proverbs 17:3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

What causes divine delays yet God promised our fathers blessings we can see below:

Deuteronomy 1:6-8, for God, said everything is yours and you have the right to extend anywhere you feel like meaning He is ready to co-operate with us

Ezekiel 34:26, God gave us assurance that he will be our God, He will have a covenant that will grant us security and a blessing

The reasons are:

The barrenness of a busy spirit. Zephaniah 1:6, {people tend to be busier than what God intends for them, they even feel busy to ask him} yet it’s the spirit of the Lord that brings health the flesh cannot profit us John 6:63 and not forgetting that all the power that we have that make wealth come from God Deuteronomy 8:18 

Failure to position ourselves in the word of God. John 1:1 position yourself to the word of God because God will never work outside his word. But we pay the false prophets to intermediate with God on our behalf that is a lie.

Unrighteousness. Revelation 3:15-16 & Rev 21:8 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 

Lack of vision/knowledge Hosea 4:6, Romans 10:14-18 

My people are doomed because of lack of knowledge Romans 10:14-18 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message? Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.  

Spirit of compromise, I king 13:11-24, this is a proverb of an old prophet and a young prophet who was told to not eat anything from his journey but due to compromise he went on and ate thus his death.

Fear to pay the price, Isaac sent Esau to hunt for him before a blessing meaning a blessing go with a price Genesis 27:1-4 as we delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has done through to achieve that beauty

Your father’s house, It’s a family character, family addiction, kalondozi (i mean monitoring spirit), sin, altar, curse and covenants, example Gideon was a powerful man of God but he could not exercise his power due to family altars  see herein {Judges 6:25-27} 

Failure to have confidence in ourselves, Job 4:6 and Micah 7:4-10 do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies are the members of his household 

Family dedication, Deuteronomy 18:10 some of us our parents dedicated us through:

1, Kwalura balongo/ Spiritual husband or spiritual wives

2. Nyiimbe / Burial rituals 

3. kusaamira / Worship of ancestral spirits 

Satanic Delays – Satan’s Plans Exposed!

Here are some glaring biblical examples of Satanic delays:-

I. Daniel and the evil Prince of Persia

I am certain you have read in the book of Daniel chapter 10 that gives a clear picture of a highly orchestrated demonic interference in the plans of God for Daniel that resulted in a delay of his blessing.

The Bible says Daniel was in prayer and fasting for twenty-one days, and believing God for his breakthrough when an evil, monitoring, and controlling spirit in that region called the prince of Persia withstood the angel that God dispatched to bring the answer to Daniel on the very first day he prayed.

The spiritual warfare was intense as the struggle waged between that evil force of darkness and the angel of the Lord. Now, what if Daniel had stopped praying let’s say after a week or even ten days, he would have never received the answer to his prayer. The evil prince of Persia’s assignment was to delay, block and deny Daniel of what God had in store for him. So it is today, the enemy is still very much on active assigned duty to deny answers to your prayers so that you do not have victory.

2. Paul’s Encounter with Satan

In the book of 1 Thessalonians 2, the Apostle Paul encountered the evil powers of Satan. He expressed his longing to see the Thessalonians having been separated from them for a short while. He said, “For we wanted to come to you – certainly, I Paul, did, again and again – but Satan blocked our way.” 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Are you getting the picture here? Paul is trying to do the will of God was delayed, blocked/stymied by Satan, not once, not twice but several times. This again is another example that even if you’re blessing is delayed by the enemy, it does not mean that you have been denied by God.

“Even if your blessing is delayed by the enemy, it does not mean that you have been denied by God.”

Always remember you are measured in the face of adversity/a hardship. And if you’re anointing is for real then it will be tested. The adversity you are facing simply means that the Devil has taken notice of you. If you find yourself in a place of delay, disappointments and discouragement, get back to, that place where you can dream again. Fight with everything you have left in you! Fight the good fight of faith and move on into God’s plan and purpose for your life.

3. Delayed by the Spirit of Infirmity for 38 years

Can you imagine being delayed or stagnated by the spirit of infirmity for thirty-eight years! In John 5: 1-11 the story is recorded of a certain man who the Bible said was stuck in one spot for thirty-eight years. Year after year an angel of the Lord came and troubled the water presenting the perfect opportunity for the man to get into the pool of God’s grace and mercy to be healed. But guess what? The devil placed thoughts of helplessness and dependency on his mind which eventually became like strongholds. The devil also used people, even his family members to hate him and to not even offer him help to get into the pool.

The evil forces of delay and denial are real and can work against persons to keep them in a POOR state – where they are passing over Opportunities Repeatedly. You must forcefully resist the spirits of delay and denial so that God’s plans can come to full effect in your life.

What you can do to stop the evil forces of delay, stagnation & denial

Are you’re experiencing difficulties and challenges in your life that after reading this post, you can identify under whose delay but if you’re under the powers of delay and denial? Then you need to take action immediately. Here are some ways to help you –

1, No matter what the enemy whispers in your ears, know that you are greatly loved. Some of the devil's whispers are “if God really loved you, you would not be going through this or so and so don’t like you and don’t you see, so and so don’t care about you.”

2. Hold the original knowledge, thoughts, and plan of God for your life by persistently and consistently confessing the word of God over your life of who He says you are.

3. Arise and push back against the forces of darkness that are responsible for spiritual delays and denial – you do so by becoming more aggressive and violent through your prayers and faith declarations. 

4. Confess and repent of any sins – ask God to reveal if there are any hidden sins in your life and take action. Renounce all evil and ungodly thoughts, ideas, and actions

5. Enter into a period of prayer and fasting. Jesus says in Matthew 17:21 that some things affecting you will not go away except through prayer and fasting.

6. Pray the kinds of prayers to break curses and evil covenants. Destroy soul-ties and break unholy alliances as Daniel did it.

7. Identify any area of your life that may be an open doorway for the enemy to gain access.

8. Remain faithful to God even in the worst moments of your life. When faced with delays, know that you are highly favored by the Lord.

Remember to eat Christ as the living bread and to drink Him as the living water. As we do this regularly, we’re strengthened spiritually and are spontaneously transformed more and more into the image of Christ.

Conclusion

It is written in the word of God in 2 Peter 1:3, God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Everything that your heart desires, God has already given it unto you. He is not planning to bless you, He has already done so according to Ephesians 1:3.

Always remember that delay is not denial. Bear in mind at all times who you are in God and how He has created you to become. In times of delay, wait it out on God. His ways and His plans are perfect and so is His timing.

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Prayer for transformation Romans 12:2

Dear Lord, I pray that I do not become like the world. I pray that I am transformed by the renewing of my mind that I may learn to understand your will for my life, which is good and pleasing and perfect. I thank You for my spiritual growth and transformation, helping me focus on the godly values and ethical attitudes that will help me flourish spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, Amen.